What's New

When I first heard about Lookout Mountain Conservancy, I was skeptical. I was used to working with my dad, a familiar and comfortable routine, and the idea of stepping into an unknown program was not exciting to me. I was pretty sure I would quit within a few months, but I didn’t want to be seen as lazy either. My sister Amy, who understood my hesitation, encouraged me to give it a chance. Her reassurance played a big role in my decision to join The Howard School Leadership Program, marking the beginning of my journey out of my comfort zone.

The Turning Point

The program started to feel worthwhile after several volunteer days that allowed me to slowly get familiar with everyone. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy to connect with the other interns. I found it simpler to bond with a few people at first, especially those who were friends or acquaintances of my sister. These early friendships made it easier to build deeper connections with others. Witnessing my peers' commitment, especially JaMaal’s tireless work ethic, inspired me. It was a real turning point when I realized the value of persistence and the personal growth that could come from it.

Before joining Lookout Mountain Conservancy, my relationship with nature was pretty distant. As a kid, I spent a lot of time outside, but as I grew older, other interests took over, and I found myself spending less time outdoors. The program changed that. Working outside helped me love the outdoors again. One of my favorite spots is a place called The Lookout Boulder, a quiet spot that was part of my first project as an intern.

Tough Lessons

Teamwork and trust are two big parts of my development within the program. During complicated projects like the construction of the rock wall for The Lookout boulder, we depend on each other not just for physical tasks but for emotional support as well. These projects were about more than moving heavy materials; they were exercises in building trust. Even though I’m quiet, I learned more in every project how to communicate my needs and listen to others. These are important skills that helped me grow as a leader and work more effectively with others.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was communication. At first, I struggled to start conversations and keep them going, a skill that was essential not only for daily interactions but also for leading projects. When Ms. Robyn asked me to lead a team for the first time, I was nervous and kept thinking, "What if I mess this up?" or "Should I even be doing this?" Despite these worries, the experience turned out to be really good for me. It pushed me to improve my communication skills, which are essential when you're in charge. Over time, as I led more projects, it got easier. I became more confident in my ability to lead others, make decisions, and use my voice - learning to trust myself and not stress too much. This growth in leadership didn't just help me in the program but also set me up for handling future challenges outside of it.

Another big learning moment came during a different rock wall project when I injured my hand. Suddenly, I couldn’t use my hand properly, which forced me to rely heavily on my other hand and, more importantly, on my peers. This was a huge moment for me. Up until then, I'd been pushing myself to work as hard as I could and contribute as much as possible, often ignoring my own limits. The injury made me realize the consequences of pushing too far. It was a tough lesson in the importance of self-care and leaning on others to support me when I couldn't manage on my own. This experience taught me the value of teamwork and the necessity of listening to my body. I don’t have to prove my toughness or dedication, especially when it might be harmful to me. Learning to accept help and understanding the importance of pacing myself were big lessons that I took from this experience.

Reaching My Future Goals

Reflecting on my time with the program, the growth in my confidence and my ability to trust others stand out as the biggest changes. I’ve learned that no matter what life throws at me, I’ll have people around me who will help me reach my goals. Because of my experiences in the program and the skills I've gained in problem-solving and teamwork, I feel confident in the next steps of my journey as I begin college at Chatt State next fall. Growing up working with my dad planted that goal in me, and now it really feels possible.

I’m thankful for everything I’ve learned so far with Lookout Mountain Conservancy. I was shy and reserved when I first joined the program, but I’ve overcome communication and even physical barriers and built lasting friendships. I’m still pretty quiet, but I’ve learned how to be a leader, and my peers respect me. They see that I am a hard worker who never gives up. I’ve learned that whenever I see myself in a situation where things may seem like they are not going to work out, I just have to keep moving forward, learn from my mistakes, and try to be a better person today than I was yesterday. I know that I will face problems and I will make mistakes. But I know now that those mistakes only last if I don’t learn from them. Sometimes, mistakes or challenges become the best moments because it’s the perfect opportunity to change the way you think and do things.

I’ve seen myself grow and change as an intern. I know the lessons I’ve learned about trust, teamwork, and perseverance will be important as I start college, and I plan to stay connected with the other interns - this is a comfortable place for me now. The people here are important to me, they are my closest friends, and I hope many more students will join the program. Watching people mature and seeing how far they’ve come surprises me every time, no matter how many times it happens. I have come so far with these friends and I want others to have the same experiences. Lookout Mountain Conservancy has helped me grow into the person I want to be.

-Bryan