2019 Student of the Year Honorable Mention: Joshua Velazquez
The four-day Environmental Science program that sixth grader Joshua Velazquez attended with his fellow Montessori Elementary & Middle School of Tracy classmates, including student of the year honorable mention Rylan, left a lasting impression on him.
Nearly eight months after Joshua returned from NatureBridge, Dr. Pamela Zell Rigg, School Curriculum Director described the eye-opening experience as still being sharply etched in his memory. As the second oldest in a family of four boys, Joshua naturally falls into the role of the quiet and reserved middle child, she said. Though as soon as Pamela brought up his experience at NatureBridge last June, it was as though Joshua had been waiting to express his feelings and excitement for the program.
Though Joshua's style is not effusive, within his heart there is such passion and depth that I have encouraged him to submit his essay. I am recommending Joshua for the NatureBridge [student of the year] award because he is your greatest supporter with our parents and he exemplifies a deep commitment to conservation and stewardship.Dr. Pamela Zell Rigg
Joshua’s thoughtful nature and passion for the discovery of the natural world was emphasized in the essay he submitted.
“During this time I was able to perceive nature from another perspective,” wrote Joshua. “NatureBridge accomplished this by allowing me to take nature walks alone. Enjoying my classmates and other students' company was nice, but being alone helped me to reflect on how beautiful and mesmerizing nature really is.”
He wrote of the experiences that made him more environmentally conscious, the intentional educators that provided opportunities to build friendships and strong relationships and the impact of plastic and waste on marine life.
This experience made me more aware! I am forever changed. Now, I make sure I only take what I can eat, and I am also more conscious about recycling and not littering. I am motivated to educate others, like my little brothers, of the importance of being eco-friendly.Joshua Velazquez
Upon returning to school, Joshua joined fellow classmate Rylan in his efforts to encourage the entire student body to reduce the amount of waste it created. He even speaks about the NatureBridge programs at parent meetings so that more students have the opportunity.
“In conclusion, this was truly a life changing experience,” Joshua wrote. “It was an event that marked my life and created in me a passion to care for the environment. It has also produced an interest and compassion for all of the sea creatures, as well as a strong desire for a better tomorrow that I can help to create.”
Stories
In Memory of Ty Cobb: A Visionary Leader of Resilience and Impact
Ty Cobb, former CEO of Yosemite National Institutes (now NatureBridge), passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Reno at the age of 84. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and ability to inspire collaboration, Ty guided YNI through some of its most difficult moments while building a foundation for its future growth and success.
WildLink November 2024: Woodlake High School
This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge Yosemite
As an environmental science educator, I spend a lot of time teaching about nature, but this season I’ve been finding that as it turns out, nature has a lot to teach us, too. Sometimes I can let the trees, the meadow, and the lichen teach for me. They show us how to respect each other’s boundaries, how to celebrate differences, how to work together, and how to lean on each other’s strengths in order to exist in a new place. These lessons felt incredibly relevant to me heading into the first week of November, a notoriously busy time at NatureBridge Yosemite. I wanted to focus on messages of kindness and inclusivity with my students, I wanted them to feel a sense of belonging in this new space, and I also hoped that they would share those messages with others.