The Wind Down: A love letter to West Texas, LHIP and the National Park Service.

Dear West Texas memories,

As my time here in the heart of West Texas is nearly coming to an end, I reflect on how beautiful and incredible my time here has been. From a long sleepless plane ride from NY, to my first time stepping foot at the Blackwell School and meeting representatives of congress; to exploring the local towns and neighborhoods, to the countless wonderful people I have had the fortune of meeting throughout my adventure. This internship has been nothing short of a dream come true. The history and culture of West Texas is unlike no other. I have grown a deep appreciation for this piece of American that has become a beautiful amalgamation of both traditional American and traditional Mexican customs, resulting in the West Texas we have today. West Texas has the beauty of mountainous views surrounding you no matter where you go. West Texas has the beauty of a clear and protected night sky with countless bright stars that will leave you in awe. When I first noticed how bright the full moon is out here, I was shocked. I had woken up at 3am and thought it was a bright light shining through my window. I stepped outside to see what it was and as I looked up, I was stunned to have seen such a bright and beautiful scene. The brightest moon I had ever experienced was just above the beautiful mountain range at a distance. Although I did not take a picture of the view I witnessed, the memory will stay with me forever.

When I first applied to the Latino Heritage Internship Program, I thought I was going to be closer to home. I originally applied to the program at the Statue of Liberty NM site. I remember the first thing I was told in my very first interview with LHIP was that, “the Statue of Liberty site has pulled out of the program but, I could continue with the application process if I desired.”  Of course, I did not let that deter me from continuing with the program. If anything, it excited me to know that this might lead to an interesting journey! Little did I know it would take me to the other side of the country! Getting to meet the people of LHIP and feel the support from them was also a key detail. After originally not being chosen by a couple NPS sites in states closer to home, Sheylda still believed in my abilities and encouraged me to not lose hope. As she put it, “One door closes and another opens,” and after receiving an email from her regarding the Blackwell School National Historic Site, I was hooked! Meeting Chelsea, my NPS site supervisor, over the phone for the first time during our interviews and hearing more about the site, I realized everything happens for a reason.

As someone of Mexican descent, I have always had questions regarding the history of my people in the U.S. and what was it like, for people like me, to live in the Western parts of our country. There is no other site in the National Park Service like the Blackwell School National Historic site that would answer these questions in such detail. Learning about the history of segregated Mexican schools and how prevalent they were in Western states, paired with firsthand accounts from alumni of the Blackwell School and getting to meet those same Alumni; immersed me into a world of history that I had never known about. I am grateful for the knowledge that this site has given me and for the ability to share this history with people of all backgrounds who visit. This site has a history that on the surface is tragic and too many, traumatic, but it also has beauty to it as well. The fact that it is still standing thanks to the efforts of the community of alumni that banded together and for decades preserved the site, is telling of how important it is for the world to know about. I am grateful to the NPS who have taken the mantle of this site and will now protect, not only the physical buildings, but it’s history as well. I am grateful to my NPS supervisor, Chelsea Rios, who has entrusted me to be responsible for the Blackwell School. Allowing me to run all the tours for visitors and to conduct opening and closing procedures independently nearly every weekend that we were open; and for being the closest to an older sister that I could have ever had during my time here. You have been such an integral part of my time here in West Texas and you have taught me so much. I have never seen someone so dedicated and caring for their sites and The National Park Service is extremely lucky to have someone like you. I am grateful for Al, the volunteer who helped me learn more about Mexican American history and Western history in general my first couple weeks here. I am grateful to Jose Barrientos, my LHIP Supervisor, who consistently checked in with me and helped guide me during the government shutdown and with other questions I had regarding the program and my future.

Lastly, I just wanted to thank all the amazing people I have met during my time here in West Texas. Countless people from the folks at the Fort Davis Public Library (which if you’re in town definitely go check it out!), to the local folks of Fort Davis who have helped me out in times of need like Barry and Dona, Mary and Mary Margaret Petterson and their family, John Heiner and his family. Even other folks at Fort Davis National Historic site like Herbert, the interim Superintendent, and rangers who I have formed a friendship with like Paul, Sebastian, Connor and Micheal! There are many more people who I will always remember. Y’all, and West Texas as a whole, will always have a special place in my heart. I can go on with my appreciation for my time here in West Texas but, I will end it with this:

“There truly is nothing like West Texas” and “you don’t have to be born in Texas to be Texan.”

As always, “It’s never goodbye, only a see you later!”

With much love,
Eduardo Guzman (The “Yankee”)