My name is Cesar Gomez and I am currently a student at Sunnyside High School. I first heard about this program from my science teacher many months ago, and me being very intrigued about the program, I signed up. Going out to explore new places, meet new people, and learn some history has been a great motivation to enter the LSWHTA Program. I wanted to know more about my Mexican heritage and ancestry, and this program helped me learn not only about myself, but about other cultures of the people who we share this land with. I hoped to discover who I am, and I’m very eager to learn more about myself and others.
My very first trip while participating in the program is one of my favorite. The drive to our destinations was absolutely beautiful. Learning about the mountains, the landscape, the petroglyphs that we found throughout the park, and the native people who lived there was very interesting to me since I have never thought about how these people lived here in the desert mountains centuries ago.
We visited so many National Parks and Native American sites throughout the program that are scattered throughout Arizona. I learned how the indigenous peoples lived their lives. The tools they used, the clothes they wore, their religion and traditions, and so much more. Because I have been thinking of choosing an architecture major when I go to college, seeing these ancient structures still standing was astonishing to see, and made me ask myself how the people who lived here, centuries ago, were able to create the enormous structures that still stand today with the technology that was available to them at the time.
My time with the program was incredible! I had learned a lot about other people and cultures in the area. The LSWHTA program helped me discover more about myself and my interests as it has opened more doors for possible careers that may be of interest to me in the future.
A big thank you to all the staff members for providing a wonderful and amazing experience for me and my fellow classmates, and for helping me discover more about the world and about myself as I now consider archaeology and history a very important and exciting part of my education. Thank you all and have a wonderful day!