| Last month we published our book of selected student writing from our 2021 participants! The book includes essays and poetry from participants in our Yosemite, Sequoia, and Tahoe summer courses. In the book, you will read Canita Huang’s poetry, highlighting her determination to adapt to life in the US after immigrating from China. You will also read Dani Ruiz’s essay describing how she found “an astonishingly supportive community” while participating in ARC’s programming. Dani is a second-generation ARC participant. Her stepfather, Jaime, participated in ARC’s 2006 Tahoe summer course, and her older sister, Giselle, graduated from the 2017 Tahoe summer course. |
| The 2021 book of student writing includes six essays and poems, photos from our summer adventures, a map of our backpacking sites, and biographies of our Young Professionals Board members. To read the book online, click here. ARC has published a book of student writing each year since our founding in 2004. You can find books from 2004 to 2021 at the bottom of the About page of our website under “Student Poems & Essays.” |
In the memory book, you will read Daniela Ruiz’s description of the impact of ARC’s summer course on her life. Below is an excerpted piece of that essay:
“In ARC, I found an astonishingly supportive community. I found friends. I found a family. The ARC community taught me how to trust those around me. I learned that smiles and kind words don’t always hide secret agendas. I learned that people who respect me also respect my boundaries. I learned that I have a support system and that I don’t have to go through life alone. I learned that building my trust again isn’t an easy fix, but it takes muchísimas ganas. I will take these lessons with me when I leave ARC and seek out a supportive, compassionate, funny, and honest community that listens to my needs. I will use my renewed boundaries to distinguish between healthy and toxic relationships. My future will be bright and joyful, surrounded by positive and supportive friends.”
| In the photo above you can see two essays of student writing side-by-side – Daniela’s essay from 2021 on the right, and Jaime Alvarez’ (Dani’s stepdad) essay from 2006 on the left – showing a span of 16 years of ARC programs. We have been able to provide ARC programming to multiple generations of participants, thanks to ARC’s many supporters. Thank you to each and every one of you for your generosity. We wish you and all of your loved ones a very happy new year! |