Week 6: Family, Friends, and Fireworks

Work and Network

Monday 06.30.25 - Wednesday 07.02.25

On Monday, we had our CHCI programming, and we decided to switch things up a bit and be more creative! We created vision boards using a few magazines, newspapers, and glue. After making our boards, we shared them with each other and had the opportunity to see what others had created. It was wonderful to see everyone's future goals and to tap into our creative sides. Additionally, a few HEP/CAMP interns returned to that matcha place during our lunch break because it was just too good to resist!

Tuesday was the CHCI Summer Intern Social, where we had the opportunity to meet multiple Latino interns in Washington, D.C. I usually don’t consider myself someone who enjoys networking, but at this event, I met many interesting people and learned about various career paths. The highlight of the evening was meeting Bryan, last year's HEP/CAMP intern. Connecting with him and the other interns from the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association felt incredible. It was so easy to connect with everyone, and it was refreshing to meet fellow CAMP and farmworker students in D.C. Overall, the Intern Social was a success.

It was a very stressful week in the office due to the significant legislation we were dealing with. Many staff members worked for over 24 hours, and my workload doubled as a result. However, this experience made me realize how grateful I am to work here. It’s during moments like these that the hard work of our offices is often overlooked, as they tirelessly advocate for the people. I feel fortunate to be a part of this effort, and I am incredibly proud of my team for their dedication, support, and composure throughout everything.

The Sparkling Holiday Weekend

Thursday 07.03.24 - Sunday 07.06.25

My office gave us the day off on Thursday, so I took the opportunity to catch up on work and do some cleaning. I also had lunch with the CHCI president, Marco Davis, and I learned a lot while enjoying a great meal. Later that evening, my mother and sister flew in, and it felt like a scene from a movie when I picked them up at the airport. I was thrilled to see them and share my experiences in D.C. That day, I showed them how to use the Metro, took them to enjoy the beautiful view at the Kennedy Center, where we arrived just in time for the sunset, and then we went to get birria tacos!

Friday was Independence Day, and my family and I started our day at a café. After that, we walked to the National Mall, where I showed them all the monuments. We then headed to the Capitol to reserve our spots for the concert and fireworks show that evening. Fortunately, as a staff member, all the HEP/CAMP interns and their families received special seating. However, my family and I underestimated how hungry we were, so we wandered around until we found a pizza shop. We enjoyed the pizza while watching the concert at the Capitol. That night, my mother became emotional and told me that she never imagined she would be in this place. Sharing tears with her, we reminisced about all the struggles we had faced together, grateful for the journey that had brought us to this point.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to give my family a tour of the Capitol, and afterward, we visited the Botanic Garden. My mom loves plants, so she really had a blast! We also explored Union Station, which I was surprised to realize I had never taken the time to visit before. Later that night, we took a walk around the White House.

On Sunday, my family went off to do their own exploring while I had lunch with the interns from my office. One of the interns was finishing her internship, so we wanted to have one last hangout before she left. After lunch, we visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Archives Museum, and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. It was wonderful to see my colleagues in a different setting, but it was sad to say goodbye to a good friend.