“The ARC group from Yosemite held and still holds that power of unity to keep each other safe no matter the circumstances. For instance, during our first expedition on day two, we were all having difficulty finding the correct trail to get on the steep rocky mountain. For many of us, we believed that we would fall at any moment since it was difficult to climb. I remember tripping so much to the point where it made me question if I was going to make it out of the back country alive. However, through that difficult situation, we were all able to feel safe because through every single step of the way to our destination, our eyes roamed to the person in front of us and the person behind us, making sure that they were still there and safe. For a group of students that had barely met and had not learned to fully trust each other, we made it out safe because trust was the only thing we had to rely on in order to survive. Each hand that was offered to me and each concern look that everyone received made us feel included and feel as if we were truly growing into a family full of trust and security. This hike was the beginning of us trusting each other with our lives because ever since then we have continued to grow stronger and more united.”
– Rosenda Sanchez