Jessica Bustamante ProRanger Introduction/ Leadership Camp

Hello my name is Jessica Bustamante a new ProRanger Cohort for Temple University. I started Temple University in January, 2015 and going for my Criminal Justice B.A. I am a transfer student from Community College of Philadelphia. I didn't think I was going to get accepted into the proranger program since I was new to the university and also I didn't have much experience or qualifications that I thought were need. Dr.Irons was the person who told me about the program and to apply. I honestly didn't apply until the actual extended deadline because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. Then I thought about the experiences and resources that I will have after all, which are going to be great for my future. I really did it in a rush, that's another reason why I thought I wouldn't get accepted. I have tried my hardest in my school years that have led me to where I am know and I know my parents are proud of what I have accomplished. I was so happy when I was accepted to the program that it surprised me instantly and I thanked God for giving me the opportunity that many would have wanted and I got the privilege to have now. All of the students who were accepted, we all had to go to a leadership camp for a week in New Jersey. We all got along very well after all, we all got to know each others strengths and weaknesses but a lot of us got rid of a lot of our fears, for example myself. I am afraid of heights and I honestly didn't want to do about 3 of the activities that had to do with heights which were rock climbing, repelling, and walking on a tree up in the air by other 2 trees on the side. I thought the world was coming down on me when I had to challenge my self by choice and I basically had to get rid of the fear of heights with those activities. I loved how my cohort supported me through it all and that's what helped me get through it and actually do the activity to the end. I was very appreciated with all people who supported me not just the cohort but the NPS staff and Temple faculty. I was also given a NPS coin and a Temple baseball hat for my accomplishments that I was very grateful for. Now the park  I was chosen to go for internship is Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine with the National Park Service. I am so exited to see how these 2 months are going to go and meeting Rangers and people within the NPS.

2015 ProRangers

2015 Participating Parks and Assignments

ProRanger interns will be heading out to their parks in June.  We are excited to announce our participating parks and intern assignments for summer 2015:

Assateague Island National Seashore - Kathryn Yody
Boston National Historical Park - Brittany Kriner
Colonial National Historical Park - Hannah Sender
Fire Island National Seashore - Nicholas Fitzke
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine - Jessica Bustamante
Gettysburg National Military Park - Isaiah Lewis
Independence National Historical Park - John Hesdon
Manassas National Battlefield Park - Daniel Bussell
Monocacy National Battlefield - Timothy Greene
Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore - Julia
Valley Forge National Historical Park - Kelly Tascarella
Yosemite National Park - Kelechi Akabogu

ProRanger Orientation and Leadership Camp took place from May 11-May 15th.    Look for posts and photos from the ProRangers about their experiences at leadership camp and their parks coming soon.