1. What inspired you to join VISIONS?

I’ve been an educator on student travel programs for the past three years. One of my former students participated in a VISIONS program and always described her summer with VISIONS as a turning point in her life. She shared how VISIONS changed her outlook and, ultimately, her life path, thanks to the community, joyful memories, and the emphasis on service. She encouraged me to join, believing my heart would align with VISIONS’ mission and approach. I’m glad I listened to her!

2. What experiences have shaped your passion for community service and youth development?

Growing up, I served as a peer mentor in social skills groups for youth on the spectrum. Through that experience, I learned that the best approach to community service and youth development is by building genuine relationships. I went on to mentor for DREAM, a program that aims to bridge the opportunity gap for youth in low-income communities. I’ve taught art and activism to youth, worked in intergenerational changemaking, and led international youth education programs. Between these programs, I travel and participate in community service projects. I can easily say that service projects have gifted me the best memories of my life—highlights include bioconstructing infrastructure on a Kichwa cacao farm in the Amazon, diving to remove harmful Crown of Thorns Starfish from the coral reefs of the Cook Islands, and joining an elephant conservation veterinary team in Thailand. With reciprocity at the helm, true contentment follows, and it is always my hope to share this truth with youth through service work.

3. What is your favorite achievement?

My favorite achievement would be receiving a National Geographic Student Expedition scholarship, where I spent a month in Australia studying wildlife conservation. I had always dreamed of traveling and admired National Geographic’s media. The scholarship felt like the culmination of my hopes and passions, and the opportunity opened doors for me, especially internally. Until that point, I had felt limited in my ability to reach my goals. Since being a student on that scholarship program, I’ve led programs in the student travel realm in seven different countries! I wouldn’t be in this field today without that award.

4. What is your favorite place you’ve traveled?

My favorite place I’ve traveled to would have to be Fiji. Fijians call their country “the big heart,” and I can see why. I was welcomed into the sweetest village, advanced my SCUBA certification at the world-renowned Rainbow Reef, and embarked on many adventures through lush greenery and turquoise waters. I adore Fiji!

5. What is the best advice you’ve received?

The best advice I ever received came from an amazing elder I worked with and grew very close to. At over ninety years old, she advised me, “If there’s an invitation, just say yes!” Simple yet profound, those words have always stuck with me. She elaborated that, looking back on her life, time is a limited resource, so when an opportunity arises, you should take that leap without inhibition. She would then say, “What is the worst that could happen? If things don’t go as you hoped, that’s a lesson learned, which is a valuable gift.” Every time I’ve followed this advice, I have never regretted it.

6. What do you hope to accomplish this summer?

This summer, I hope to co-cultivate an interrelated, interdependent, and strong community—one infused with growth, humor, joy, love, care, learning, and overall AWESOMENESS! Through the encouragement of cross-cultural and intergenerational relationship-building, I hope we can walk forward post-program with inspired and expanded perspectives. I also hope to live each day of the program in gratitude for this opportunity.

7. What are you most excited about this summer?

This summer, I am most excited to learn from the Blackfeet community, getting to know the culture through food, stories, ceremony, and beyond.

8. If you had to give one piece of advice or words of encouragement to someone on their first VISIONS experience, what would it be?

My advice is to be brave! Don’t hold back—whether it’s diving into service with all your will or bridging new connections with an open heart. At the same time, be humble. Have a willingness to learn without imposing what may be “normal” to you. Ask questions! Being inquisitive can lead to so much, especially when it comes to connecting with elders. And finally, make the most of every moment. Opportunities like these are rare, and this program may hold some of the best weeks of your life. Enjoy it all!