All for the people...

As I am in the midst of my first week without the NPS Academy students, I am able to reminsce on the the spring and summer that has quickly flown by.   I have learned so much from ALL of the Academy interns, much more than they will probably ever know.  Their enthusiasm and respect for everything that they do makes me realize that the countless hours were invested into the creation and oversight of this program will be paid forward.  The legacy that these students have already left behind will forever impact the parks that they have worked at and I look forward to the legacy that they will continue to put forth in their community and schools.  

One thing that I have continuously told students is that although great opportunities come to us with them they lies a great responsibility.  As minorities, everything we do will either break or build those connections for others in our shoes.  Just as everyone else, we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us.  This week, I was fortunate enough to listen to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar speak at our park.  In admist of all the running around that he did from an employee talk, press conference and spoke with the park partners I was able to snag a picture and introduce myself.  Ken Salazar, a 5th generation Latino Coloradoan is one of those shoulders that I stand on.  An accomplished man, I expected nothing more than a handshake but he took the time to ask me about my job and where I was from.  As I told him where I was from and the youth engagement and outreach work that I do for the park a smile crossed his face and he gave me a big hug and thanked me for all the work I do for our youth.  I was humbled by such gratitude from a man in his position.  I was proud to do the work that I do for all the youth locally and across the country. 

Another two people that I stand alongside with in all this work are both doing work in California.  These two gentlemen I met at a training on youth engagement and was truly impressed and inspired by them.  Juan Martinez, rock star Latino conservationist and Ernesto Pepito, an all-time inspiration are both people that join me in doing youth engagement and diversity outreach work.   When I think about all the people that conduct this type of work and inspire young students across the country I know our future is in good hands.  I look forward to working and seeing Juan and Ernesto in the coming months as they travel to Grand Teton National Park to spread the wealth of their talents and inspiration with our community and students of my upcoming program. 

Thanks to all those that work on youth engagement and continue to leave a legacy and be shoulders that others will stand on in the future.

                Changing Lives, One Youth at a Time  - Vanessa Torres, Julie Fonseca de Borges, Ernesto Pepito and Julie Chavez Rodriguez