A New State, A New Start

Middle school is often a time of confusion – starting a new school, making new friends, learning new trends – all of it. But for some students, that experience is even more complex. Easton Miller, 8th grade, definitely had to adapt when he was starting middle school. Over the summer going into 6th grade, he moved from Indiana to Florida. Changing from a state that has “nothing fun to do there,” to one of the most popular tourist states has been a huge change for him and his family.

Why Move To Florida?

You may not know this, but you already know Easton’s dad. Officer Miller is our School Resource Officer at JMS. Easton’s mom and dad were both cops in Indiana, and now they work here in Florida. The reason they moved to Florida is because, “There were more opportunities in Florida for both of them.” Officer Miller also explains, “It was a good time to move because Easton’s older siblings were college age, Easton was going into middle school, and his older brother was going into high school.” While Indiana may not be as exciting for him, he does reflect back on his friends and playing football there. After moving to Florida, he joined a local lacrosse team. “I chose lacrosse because I wanted to try a different sport and lacrosse sounded fun. They also didn’t have it in Indiana.”

Home Life

With two cops as parents, Easton grew up in a home where safety wasn’t just a word – it was life. Safety and structure were his everyday life. Easton says that “I feel very protected at home,” but not only because his parents know how to protect each other, but because they protect him emotionally too. Their clear rules and acts of care have given him a strong sense of security and confidence in the world around him. Not only is he surrounded by his parents, but also his sister and three brothers.  Though he doesn’t see some of them very often because they’re busy at college, he feels they have a very important role in his life. “My family, especially my mom and my dad, have definitely been really big role models to what I want to do in the future, like being in the FBI.”

School Life

Having his dad as the school cop, you would think Easton’s school life is different than the rest, but Easton explains, “Nothing’s really different with my dad working at school. I mean, I get to see him more, but that’s about it.” Easton’s dad explains that he is very proud of him for consistently keeping all A’s. Going into high school, Easton’s hoping to get into criminal justice, and his dad has very high hopes for Easton’s next chapter of life.

Parents’ Perspective 

When someone asks them about Easton, many things come to his parent’s minds. “I would say [he’s] very caring, a deep thinker; he’s got a big heart for others.” When Easton’s family was deciding to move to Florida, Easton’s parents knew it would be a big change, but they also knew him and his siblings would adapt easily.