Expedition IV

Spring has sprung, and Expedition IV was there to see it in all its glory, from deluging rainstorms to bright, warm sunshine to the first wildflowers of the season! And no matter what they faced, the students from Franklin and Parlier High schools had smiles on their faces and strength in their shoulders.

The group was led by last year's WildLink backpacking instructor Kristen, myself, and special guest Petit. After a day of acclimating in Yosemite Valley, we headed out to Hite's Cove, where we braved the first big spring storm of the season, dried our wet gear and selves in the warm sun the next day, and gloried in a sky full of stars our final night out. Other high points were greeting the first poppies and other wildflowers of the season, counting newts (they love being out in the rain!) and lots of great Spanish lessons for the backpacking instructors.

To view journal entries from Expedition IV, click here.

Sierra Club Scholarships

The Sierra Club is offering ten scholarships of $1,000 per year for four years to graduates of the class of 2003 who plan to enter a four-year college program.

The scholarships will be available to all students who live in communities of no more than 10,000 population and reservations in the Sierra Nevada, including students who commute to high schools in the Central Valley. We particularly encourage persons of Native American descent to apply.

Applications are now being taken for the scholarships. They should be postmarked no later that March 1, 2003. Recipients of the scholarships will be notified after April 1.

Most WildLink alumni qualify for this scholarship. Application is simple. For more details, go to www.sierraclub.org/
field/ca_nv_hi/snscholarship.asp

Where Are
They Now?
Featuring Jose, WildLink Intern 2002-2003

This month, our "Where Are They Now" contributor is Jose, our WildLink intern from 2002-2003. Here's what he has to say:

Hello out there!

Here is Jose reporting from the Hills of Berkeley. How is everyone doing?
So where am I? I am still in Berkeley, California; but my parents just bought a new house so I might be moving within 2 weeks to this new house. It’s not a long move, just two cities away from where I am now. This good news; the house is about 7 blocks from the college I am going to. So there is no excuse for me to be late to class!

After 8 months of commotion while trying to get back to college (due to immigration issues), I am finally in. This year I am doing (junior) college near my hometown. I think this would be a great way to save money for my University years. I am trying to transfer to UC Berkeley or UC Santa Cruz or (if I get lucky) to Michigan University, what ever comes first.

I haven’t got a chance to go back to Yosemite, but soon my presence will be there. It was hard for me to adapt again to the city life. After living 3 months in Yosemite and getting used to the quiet environment in Yosemite Valley it’s so hard to go back to the usual routine.

Well, I do not know what else to say but to wish the newcoming WildLink students, interns, alumni and stuff the best of luck. This is an amazing program that will be in your mind for the rest of your life. Nothing can be compared to the great experience that you live with WildLink.

Regards;
Jose

Got a story to tell? You can send ideas and writings to me at P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or by e-mail at mandy_vance@partner.nps.gov.

Happy writing and I hope to hear from you soon!

Mandy