My Letter To Oprah...

I e-mailed tv mogul and billionaire Oprah Winfrey yesterday about my internship here at Glacier National Park. I was inspired to attend the NPS Springbreak Academy after seeing Yosemite park ranger Shelton Johnson on her show. I also became excited to learn more about careers in the park service and also to get minorities to visit national parks. Her is a copy of my e-mail:

Hello Ms. Oprah! My name is Ashlee Lee and I am interning at Glacier National Park in Northwest, Montana this summer. As an avid fan of your show, my mother and I thought it would be a great idea for me to e-mail you about my experience this summer. After watching your show with Yosemite Park Ranger Shelton Johnson, I was immediately inspired to learn more about a career in the National Park Service.
I am a 25 year old African American female from Atlanta, GA and my very first visit to a national park was in March during my spring break week from college. I was part of a program through the Student Conservation Association and the National Park service called the NPS Academy. This program was designed for minorities like meself who do not live in places with national parks to come out to Grand Teton National Park and learn more about the park service. There were 29 students total for the NPS Academy and we were from all around the United States. After we left the academy we were set up with internships for the summer.
I am currently in East Glacier in the St. Mary district interning as a park interpreter here this summer at Glacier National Park. I do believe that this internship has changed my life! Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been too! From the wildlife to the wildflowers this place is just stunning. The mountains are so beautiful and the water here is so clear! I feel absolutely honored to be here!
My internship as an interpreter includes a variety of challenging but fulfilling duties. I work in the St. Mary Visitor Center front desk, I also lead a guided hike and boat tour to St. Mary Falls ( a very popular hiking trail here in Glacier National Park) as well as conduct an illustrated program every Friday in the visitor center auditorium and the topic is one of the most interesting creatures here at the park-bears.
I am writing this e-mail to let you know that Ranger Shelton Johnson’s presence on your show changed my life. Your visit to Yosemite National Park changed my life! So if you’re ever in Northwest Montana please come and visit Glacier National Park and you will see why this place has changed my life.

Thank you,
Ashlee Lee

She responded back with this reply today:

Got your email.Thank you for watching the finale. I could feel your beating hearts, along with mine, through the TV screen.I'm off to take a little rest, and then I'll get busy working on OWN.Take care of yourself. I'll write soon.

Oprah

So maybe there is a chance that Oprah Winfrey could possible come to Glacier National Park this summer...who knows but we will see!