Where are you from?
I was born in Manila, Philippines and raised just outside of Philadelphia, PA in a
suburban town called Lansdowne.
Where do you/did you attend school? Share with us the city/town, what you
are majoring in, what your academic interests are?
I got my Physics BS from Syracuse University in 2020. As I was wrapping up my
degree, I picked up some foundational and elective coursework at SU
Architecture. Currently, I’m pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture degree
at SUNY ESF.
What are your career goals?
I’d like to increase representation in the cultural landscapes that we preserve and
the stories that we tell so that Americans from all walks of life can feel seen and
valued. Acknowledging our rich and colorful history is a powerful way of saying
“you belong here”, a message that many people in America need to hear.
Outside of school and work what are your hobbies and/or interests?
I primarily connect with my heritage through food. I enjoy learning and practicing
family recipes and sharing food with others.
What is your internship project focus? Explain what you will be doing, which
parks/partners will you be working with? Who is your mentor at the Olmsted Center?
I’ll be contributing to the Cultural Landscape Report for the Elizabeth Cady
Stanton House and Chamberlain House sites of the Women’s Rights National
Historical Park at Seneca Falls, NY. I’ll be working under the mentorship of John
Auwaerter and Rachel Leibowitz at the Center for Cultural Landscape
Preservation.
Why did you choose to participate in a Designing the Parks Internship? How is your internship hosted?
I chose to participate in the DTP internship program because I wanted to be a
part of a community of people who share my passion for natural and cultural
resource preservation. After my first week here, it is clear that the great people
who make up the Olmsted Center genuinely love and care about what they do, and that has been very inspiring to see.
What are you looking forward to learning or exploring during your internship?
In writing the Site History of the Cultural Landscape Report for Women’s Rights National Historical Park, I am very excited to explore the ways in which the matrilineal culture of the Haudeunosaunee influenced and inspired suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Women’s rights, as some are surprised to hear, is a “Native American tradition”.
What types of opportunities will Designing the Parks provide you with?
The staff here are very committed to supporting our growth as rising
professionals, and I’m very grateful for that. DTP offers many career building
resources like networking opportunities and professional development
workshops. DTP even connects you with all of the interns, seasonal staff, and other
temporary staff members working within the Cultural Resources (CR) Division of
NPS’ Interior Region 1 through a group called the Cultural Resources Rising
Professionals (CRRP). Staying connected with a group of my peers always helps
me feel supported.
Designing the Parks 