What's New

Joining Lookout Mountain Conservancy through The Howard School Leadership Program was a pivotal moment for me. My friend Aasean, who I've known since the eighth grade, kept bugging me about joining the program, I needed a job, so I finally caved in and got an application. At about the same time, I put in an application at Hot Topic, too. I told myself I would take the job I was offered first, but I also wanted a safe place to have my first job. Deep down, I knew that working with LMC would be different, but that it would be safe. So, it all worked out when that was the first job offer that came through. I wasn't entirely sure what I was signing up for, but when I showed up on the first day and saw some familiar faces like Joy, Eli, and Cortez, I felt more at ease.

From the beginning, the environment here was different from anything I'd experienced in school. We weren't just rushing from one class to another; we actually had the chance to talk and connect with each other. When I first started, I thought I would just be gardening, but it turned out to be much more than that. It was fun because of everyone else's personalities and the way we get to know each other better and also have fun together, too. The most enjoyable part for me was learning about the pollinator garden. At first, I didn't know much about it, but as I learned more, it became my favorite garden.

A Community of Support

During this time, I also faced personal challenges that extended beyond the Conservancy. As school resumed, I found myself grappling with societal judgments related to an unhealthy relationship. I was dealing with a lot of drama which led me to withdraw socially. It was a difficult period, but the support from the program and my best friend—who had previously gone through a similar situation—gave me the strength to move past that toxic relationship. Severing ties allowed me to rediscover my independence and express my true self more freely at work and within the program. I also started learning how to prioritize my own happiness and well-being over pleasing others.

This didn’t mean the work for the Conservancy was easy—even though I was happier there than ever, there were still challenges. One of the more physically demanding experiences at the Conservancy was clearing a hill in preparation for the Shrimp Boil. It was really, really hot, and I admit, I don’t like working in the heat. Then on top of that, all these ants were getting into our water bottles, so we weren’t able to drink out water. The whole experience was awful. It was difficult work. As a quiet person, I struggled not only with the physical demands but also with the need to speak up and make sure we took enough breaks in the summer heat. This experience was a tough but valuable lesson in resilience and the importance of advocating for our well-being.

Another challenging task for me was learning to use the weedeater. At first, the tool was intimidating, and I was afraid to ask for help because of my own insecurities about appearing inexperienced. However, as I received more guidance, I realized that making mistakes was part of the learning process. This helped me gradually overcome my perfectionism and become more confident in my abilities.

I’ll never forget the day we all got to go to the mall together. After a busy summer of hard work, we got to spend a day with each other just being teenagers. Some money was saved from each of our paychecks, then we got that money back right before school started and we got to go shopping. I had some extra money from my last paycheck, too, so I really got to splurge at my favorite store. We were doing TikToks and having these funny moments in the car. It was a bunch of fun. It felt special to share that with all the people I had been working with during the summer.

Working Toward My Goals

I think the most important thing I’ve learned as an intern is not to give up too easily. I remember a particularly tough point one summer when I felt overwhelmed and just wanted to throw in the towel. A few people even started calling me “Giver-Upper.” That was my wake-up call. I had to keep reminding myself why I was pushing through. It was a mental battle, parting of me wanting to quit and another part of me knowing I needed to push through. I kept telling myself, "Everyone else might be at home or taking easier jobs, but here I am, earning money, working towards my goals." The thought of saving up for college expenses and preparing for the future kept me motivated. It was a reminder that I needed to persevere, no matter how difficult things seemed. Looking back, I realize that having clear goals and external reasons to keep going helped me get through the toughest times.

One constant throughout all of this was my welding. I started welding back in the 10th grade, and honestly, it was the cool factor of working with fire that drew me in initially. I’ve been welding for a while now, through an after-school program. We make fire pits and sell them at Ace, which is pretty cool. At first, when I walked into welding class, I didn't know what I was doing, but the idea of making something from scratch was exciting. I like creating new things. That’s the best part—seeing your work come together and knowing you did a good job. I plan to go to Chatt State for a welding program. I’m excited about getting to do welding full-time in the future.

When I’m able to be a part of creating something new, it makes me feel proud. That’s a big part of why Lookout Mountain Conservancy has been important to me. I go outside a lot more than I used to and walk around. I brought my Mom to the park one day and showed her the pollinator garden where a tree was planted in memory of my grandmother. We hiked some and I told my Mom about the work we do on these trails—it was a special moment for us, and I’m glad that I am a part of making moments like that possible. 

Even though this program wasn’t what I expected at first, I know I’ve grown, and the people around me have seen me grow, too. Because of what I’ve learned here, I know that I’ll be able to push through any challenge I face. I won’t give up, and I know I’ll keep growing.

-V'Shae