A South Florida valedictorian who faced deportation earlier this year was honored Wednesday by the Miami-Dade School Board.

The board recognized 18-year-old Daniela Pelaez of North Miami High for creating the We Are Here Foundation to help other undocumented immigrant students.

Pelaez and her sister, Dayana Pelaez, were ordered deported to Colombia.

The sisters were brought to the United States as children by their parents, who overstayed their tourist visas.

The teen's classmates protested the order, which drew national attention. Federal authorities have deferred action on the case for two years.

Daniela Pelaez has a full-ride scholarship to Dartmouth College.