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I have always had a passion for preserving the environment. When JaMaal told me about The Howard School Leadership Program, I thought it would be a good way for me to work for something I really care about. What I have seen in my time in the program is that I get to do this work alongside other interns with the same values and goals, and together we learn so many important lessons.

Discovering My Passion

My curiosity about the environment really hit me when I met Dalton, our former Greenhouse Manager. One day, right after the Greenhouse opened, he was teaching us about the different parts of plants and how they function. Plants are more complicated than I expected, and that was very interesting to me. I always looked forward to Dalton’s lessons, which made me more eager to learn about growing vegetables and other plants.

I also like sharing what I’ve learned with others. After working in the Teaching Garden at Lookout Mountain Conservancy, I helped my mom plant a vegetable garden, too. I taught her about how marigolds keep bad bugs away, and so we planted some marigolds in the garden. We tried growing corn and squash, and although not all the plants thrived, the experience brought us closer and made me appreciate everything I was learning.

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

One of the most challenging projects I have worked on at the Conservancy was also one of the most memorable and fun ones. We were in the middle of building the greenhouse on a rainy day, and it was messy! The rain turned the earth into a slippery mud pit, and it was almost impossible to work. Everyone was overwhelmed and our feet kept getting stuck in the mud. But then Hector fell down, and when we pulled him back up, he was completely covered in mud and his shoe got stuck. As he found his footing with one shoe on and one shoe off, we couldn’t help but laugh. From then on, we decided to turn the muddy work into a game, and it ended up being a lot of fun. This experience brought us closer as a team and showed us the importance of staying positive, no matter the circumstances.

The projects that I have been a part of and led have helped me see how important it is to work with others. Even though I’m quiet and don’t mind working by myself, the intern program has helped me see the value of trust and teamwork. We do better when we work together. 

Growing as a Leader

The Conservancy has been a huge part of my personal growth in other ways too, especially in learning to be a leader. When I first started the program I just worked, completing whatever tasks I was given. Then one day I watched JaMaal lead a team during a vine-clearing project; he was really good at it. His confidence and clear communication encouraged me to take on leadership roles myself. I like to solve problems, but I was scared to use my voice. Watching JaMaal inspired me to push out of my comfort zone. I could see the value of stepping up when needed and the impact that good leadership has on a project's success.

Facing my own leadership challenge came when I had to oversee the construction of a rock wall and the removal of a dirt mound. This was the hardest project I’ve had to do so far because it was the first one where I was in charge. The older interns had all moved to a different project and I saw that of the interns left, I had the most experience. Since it was my first time being in charge of a project, I was overwhelmed by anxiety. I’m an introverted person, and it takes me a while to open up to people. I focused on being friendly and leading by example by giving the project my all. I thought about the project as a problem to be solved, and was able to talk to the other interns about what needed to be done, just like I had seen JaMaal do. This project not only improved my ability to manage my personal anxieties but also boosted my confidence in guiding others through complicated activities.

Gaining confidence as a leader has already helped me in other settings as well. When I went to boot camp last summer, I saw how important leadership is. Leadership is a big part of the Army life because you can lose someone if you don’t lead well. Because of what I have learned at the Conservancy, I feel confident in my ability to be a leader in the Army, too, and I’m excited to apply those leadership skills back at boot camp this summer. I think being a strong leader will also be important when I go to college. I know that the skills I have learned here will serve me well after I graduate from high school.

Leadership That Serves

The Howard School Leadership Program has become a significant and rewarding part of my life in many ways. LMC gave me the opportunity to job shadow a funeral director. I’ve always wanted to do something to help people. At first, I wanted to be a doctor or a firefighter, but then I saw that most people just want to gain a profit. That’s not what matters to me. I’m interested in being a mortician because that’s an important service that can help families at a very difficult time in their lives. Through the job shadowing program, I learned about the path I need to take. Over the summer, I will return to boot camp, and then in the fall, I plan to enroll at Chattanooga State to begin my college education.

The relationships I have built here and the camaraderie I feel among the other interns motivate me and keep me invested in the work we do. The Howard School Leadership Program has provided me with valuable learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth. Every day I work on the property builds my knowledge, and inspires me to expand my skills and expertise even more - in preserving the environment, as a leader, and as a helper. 

I am grateful to be part of something so meaningful and rewarding.

-Jostin