Alaska Changes You
What does the Alaska Great Lakes Project mean to you? Something your community does every year for eighth grade students? Something you just heard of? Or even something that you, or a family member might have been a part of. To Jessie Caron, the leader of the junior leaders on the AGLP trip this year, it’s about creating bonds, becoming a better person, and becoming more environmentally aware.
Jessie said her first year going to Alaska was a “culture shock.” This is her fourth year going on the trip, “I partly came to challenge myself.” Jessie says that becoming the leader of the junior leaders was so that she could “learn about my leadership skills while teaching them about leadership.”
“At first, I started coming to learn more about the environment.” Jessie said that she loves the scenery, and loves animals. She said that Alaska is “something magical.” She loves the bonds that are created on this trip, and that’s one of the reasons she keeps coming back.
Jessie said that this trip really changed her, for the better, that is. She said that her parents could even see the difference. She was more independent. Jessie said the AGLP trip was “empowering.” She was a lot less shy, more willing to help, and she couldn’t even stop thinking about it after she got back.
Alaska has influenced everything that Jessie does today. Alaska has helped her become more aware of the environment, become a better person, and really help spark her future in photography. “Every paper I write in college is about Alaska,” said Jessie. She really thinks Alaska is something magical, and hopes that everyone on this year’s trip will fall in love with Alaska just like she did.
Overall, Jessie just truly loves Alaska. She thinks this is one of the best experiences you could possibly have. She wants this year’s, and future year’s, participants to experience this, and become a better person just like she did. She hopes that we all love Alaska, and want to come back in the future.
|
- Johanna