Impactful Moment from My 2023 DMVNE
The OLASTEO DMV National Excursion has been one of the most out-of-the-world experiences of my life. Seeing the East Coast and meeting people I never would have met has been something I'll cherish forever. I’ve learned that the world isn't so small, and I can go anywhere. I’ve learned many things from the OLASTEO team and all the friends I made that I will never forget.
Out of every place that we went to, the place that had the most impact on me was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). Throughout the museum, I decided to explore by myself, and the number of stories I read overwhelmed me. At the end of my exploration, I ended up in an exhibition about a boy who lived through the Holocaust, and it showed his house and everything. I remember crying because he was just a little boy who saw so many horrors at such a young age. That experience and that museum will always have an impact on me.
Another unforgettable and unique moment on the excursion was our lunch with civil rights activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. Joan was an original Freedom Rider, participated in the Jackson Woolworth’s sit-in, and attended the March on Washington. She fought for equal rights for all and is a true legend. Meeting her after learning about her through different movies and videos was so surreal. She told me she liked wearing T-shirts and earrings like I do. I cannot even put into words how out of the world it felt to sit right in front of her and have lunch.
I am grateful for everything we did and for this opportunity from OLASTEO. From visiting USHMM, to touring all the monuments during a special night tour, to learning about language at Planet Word, to our final lunch with Joan, OLASETO made me realize the joy of exploring other places. Moreover, this experience opened my eyes to applying to universities outside of California. OLASTEO gave me the chance to learn and change my perspective on things. But I also got to meet and learn from new people I will never forget and miss dearly. Without OLASTEO, I don't think I would have ever known and explored so much, and I hope that more students take the time to apply and realize how unique this program is.
