#WeAreGIPS 

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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Mitchell Roush  00:00

Mitchell Roush, Welcome back to the GIPS Cast!  A conversation based podcast exploring the voices of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska. I'm your host. Mitchell Roush, Communications Director here at GIPS, and, as always, I am excited to bring to you new stories from all corners of one of Nebraska's largest, most diverse school districts.  Because here we're always driven by our mission of "Every Student, Every Day, A Success!". We're glad you're here.  Now, for the third straight year, I am again excited to be bringing to you a fun series that we have started doing annually. We call it beyond GIPS. It's an opportunity for us to feature a few voices from notable GIPS alumni. So we reach out to some notable alumni, and we check in with them to hear what they're up to in their careers and in their communities. Because part of what makes the work of public education so meaningful is seeing how passionate folks continue to make an impact after graduation, living their lives as lifelong learners. So today's featured guest for our alumni feature. She is definitely a trailblazer. Her name is Ashley para Valencia. She is a Gish graduate from the year of 2020 and she has just recently moved back to Grand Island after finishing her degree at UNL. She wanted to share her story about why she thought it was meaningful to come back home and to get involved in the community that raised her recently, she joined the team of the Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity, and she's excited about the new opportunities for her career and is looking forward to making a positive impact in the community. We're excited to have her back in Grand Island, and we're grateful that she stopped by to share her story. So here's Ashley, give a listen.

Ashley Parra Valencia  02:04

My name is Ashley parvalencia, and I work at Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity.

Mitchell Roush  02:12

Thank you so much for being here today. We're excited to have you well.

Ashley Parra Valencia  02:16

Thank you. I'm very excited to be doing this podcast episode.

Mitchell Roush  02:20

Absolutely it's always good when we get a chance to bring former students back, check in with them and see what they are up to. And I just thought you had a real unique story that was worth showcasing. So that's what we're going to do today. We want to hear from you so our listeners can hear how you got to where you are today, which is really cool. What was your experience in Grand Island Public Schools or at Grand Island Senior High, like you graduated Gish in 2020, and you are, you're kind of reflecting now on your time when you went through GIPS.

Ashley Parra Valencia  02:53

So what an amazing question. When I think back to my experience at Grand Island Public Schools, I think of it as a very nurturing experience. All my teachers from elementary to senior year taught me very valuable lessons, and some that I keep very near and dear to my heart. So I very much cherish the time I had there. When it comes to Grand Island Senior High, specifically, I think back to my extracurriculars, and I like to keep myself busy at the time. So I was in choir, show, choir, orchestra and soccer. I think those were the main ones that kept me busy after school hours and during all of my coaches and directors for that really helped me push myself, let me grow my confidence in their own unique way. So whether it was through the music lens or the athletic lens, whatever they did, it helped me translate that into my day to day life. So all those teachers and all those years helped me shape where I am today and who I am.

Mitchell Roush  04:01

That is so cool to hear and like, cool, because this is a consistent thing I'm even seeing with our students now, right? Like, you haven't been at Gish in a while, but this was your experience, and it's a similar experience for students now, which is, it's possible, even at a big school like Gish, to be involved in multiple things if you want to. I'm really encouraged to hear that you were able to do both fine arts and the sport, which, again, I think is kind of a myth sometimes that we have to dispel is it's such a big place, you kind of just got to pick one lane, and you didn't have to do that.

Ashley Parra Valencia  04:31

Yep, I went the High School Musical route, the Troy route, so it was a very fun and if you have an opportunity or have an interest in doing either, don't think it's one way or the other. You can do it all. You really can, especially with the support of the teachers. They make it possible.

Mitchell Roush  04:50

And so kind of thinking about those activities, right? Like you said that that was truly impactful for you, which is wonderful. What what stands out to you? Was it impactful because you. Enjoyed doing the things. Was it impactful? Because you found community? Is it all the things?

Ashley Parra Valencia  05:04

It was definitely all the things. If you knew me and my soccer days, I was average at best, but you played, you were on the team. And you know what? I'll say, that goes the same for orchestra. I wasn't super magical on the violin, but my peers that were in that really made some long lasting friends. So it was a community above all that. I also did enjoy those activities. But, yeah, I tried and tried different things and saw what stuck, and those for me were what worked, but it was everything, all of the above. So you name it, that's probably why I had good time there.

Mitchell Roush  05:47

You went to college, you got your degree, and you've got your your first job here as a young professional, which we'll talk about a little bit later. But this was your progression. So thinking about how you got to where you are today, is there? What's one thing that GIPS helped you discover that propelled you on this trajectory that you're on?

Ashley Parra Valencia  06:10

So you can probably tell by all the extracurriculars I was involved in, I like to try a little bit of everything, so especially my years. Throughout my education there, I thought I was going to be a wide variety of things, an archeologist, but in high school, I definitely did think I was going to be a lawyer. And I'll tell you right now, that is not what I do. When I was a senior, I believe that's around the time that the academy pathways started kind of being implemented in our classrooms and and all that stuff. And I was in the public education safety and law pathway, um, safe to say that was not for me, and I knew from then that okay, maybe I don't have what it takes to be a lawyer. So from there, I started really researching other career paths that kind of align with the things that I enjoyed, something that GIPS helped me discover about myself was that I love to work with others. All the things I was involved with was, you know, Team related, yeah, I had to coordinate with everybody else. You know, have to, you need to have the patience, empathy and the communication to work well, and all the things that I did so that, for me, I knew that I didn't want to just be a lawyer. I wanted to do something different, and so I started researching and found that the marketing, advertising, public relations pathway that for me was going to be more successful in my future and aligned more with my passion. So I want to thank them for saving me 1000s of dollars

Mitchell Roush  08:03

But that's important. And I think sometimes it's it's a key thing to try to showcase that finding out what you want to do. I mean, that's a journey. I think we all understand that, but it's just as valuable to also discover something that may not be a good fit for you as well. And it sounds like that was your experience. Right?

Ashley Parra Valencia  08:24

My supervisor, Lindsay Jurgens, shout out to her. She always mentions how valuable it is to find out what you're not passionate about. Yep, what you just said is just as important to kind of cross off some things that you had in mind, and get a clear vision for your future. So I think that's really important and but I don't think you should be afraid to try all of these different pathways, even thinking that you might have a glimmer of interest in them. I think it's worth to try it all while you can, and then from there, that vision will just get narrower and more focused, and you'll be on the path that you really enjoy.

Mitchell Roush  09:06

That's encouraging to hear, and I think encouraging for a lot of our listeners, because that's kind of evergreen advice, I think, regardless of where you're at in your career or your educational experience. So again, kind of reflecting back on your time with GIPS. Ashley, is there a teacher or a couple teachers that had a lasting impact on you?

Ashley Parra Valencia  09:24

This is a great question. I just want to say all the teachers that I had, 12 out of 10, I wasn't the best education wise. I it took a while for me to pick things up and to process what we were learning. And so I appreciate all the teachers that I had and all the patience they gave me, but aside from the coaches that I had and, you know, directors, I think when I think two favorite teachers, I have to say, My elementary teachers from Jefferson. Elementary.

Mitchell Roush  10:01

Shout out, Jefferson Elementary!

Ashley Parra Valencia  10:02

Yes. And a new, beautiful building. Where was that at when I was...

Mitchell Roush  10:07

You missed out on the new building, but it's a beautiful space. You were absolutely right.

Ashley Parra Valencia  10:10

Yes. And you know what? The teachers were so exceptional back in the day, yep. Um, Miss Collins, Miss Felton, Miss viala, Miss Park, just to name a few, that was a time where my parents worked all the time trying to support for my sisters and I, and so I didn't really see them so often, and so my teachers kind of felt like this extra support to encourage me and to go further. And for that, I really appreciate them, because they shaped me to the rest of my years going through school and how I saw myself. And so at that time, especially my early elementary years, I was learning English, and so my family didn't really speak, and my older sister had just started learning it as well, because she's two years older than me, my younger sister was about to learn it, so it was a whole thing. It's very confusing for me. My at home, I didn't speak English, so why am I just learning it in school when some of my ELA peers didn't even speak it at the time? So it was a really confusing time for me, and so my teachers really created that support, that backbone, support for me, and encouraged you know, it's okay to make mistakes, it's okay to struggle like that's all part of the learning experience. So for that, I really thank my elementary teachers.

Mitchell Roush  11:36

That is really good to hear. And I know this won't surprise you, but think it was the third day of school. I got to spend some time in Mrs. Felton's classroom, and she is still one of the greatest and just doing such a great job of taking care of kids. And it's it's a joy to be in her space. You just feel welcome. She know, and you know she knows what she's doing, and she is engaging every single one of those students.

Ashley Parra Valencia  11:59

Yep, she's awesome. I really like to hold this memory near and dear to my heart that Miss Felton pronouncing her name in the beginning of the school year was so difficult to me because the just the way the word her name flowed didn't make sense in my Spanish speaking brain, right? And so I remember saying her name correctly and just being so happy. But I also do see Miss Felton on some of my walks. I still keep in touch.

Mitchell Roush  12:32

That's awesome. Again, I didn't and this is really great. I'm glad that you shared this and felt comfortable to share it. I did not realize that, you know, learning English was such a big part of your experience as an elementary student here as well, too. And you mentioned as you were talking, you know, your your your teachers at Jefferson helped you feel seen, and they helped you feel welcome, even though the language was a clear barrier. Would you be willing to talk a little bit more about that, like, what? What does, what does that mean to you when you when you think about the students that we have coming to our community and to our schools who do have that language barrier and want to be seen? What? What does that mean to you?

Ashley Parra Valencia  13:14

At the time, it was really confusing for me, especially because I am first gen, so a lot of my, you know, my parents didn't go to school and in English speaking, they weren't in an English speaking classroom when they went through it. So it was definitely a change. And how that support looked like for me was, you know, I would go to ELA there were more students. That is something that GIPS really does have, is a multitude of backgrounds of students. So I had students and peers that look like me and were going through similar situations where they had to learn this, you know, new language that wasn't so familiar and their home life, but because I had that community, and then, you know, taken back to class, it felt, you know, everybody was always so kind. I never felt like an outsider from my peers. I mean, we all just wanted to play house and in color and do the craft, so I never felt strange or truly alone in the process. And I have my peers and my teachers to think for that, because when students aren't provided that support and the it's going to be okay like this will be best in the long run, to have learned, you know, two languages, students can get very lost and kind of feel like, well, is there something wrong with me that I have to change the way that I talk to fit in with everybody else? But luckily, because of the support and the environment and the way I was taught, I didn't have those thoughts some.

Mitchell Roush  14:58

Wow, that's. Thank you for sharing your experience. And that is a lot, but it's it's encouraging to hear and when, when, when we hear you say, I didn't feel like I was alone and I felt like I had the support that I needed. Like that is that is affirming. Because regardless of where you're coming from, whether you're born and raised in Grand Island, or you're moving here, and regardless of your cultural heritage, every educator wants every single one of their students to feel like they have a place and that they belong. And I know that that means a lot to you.

Ashley Parra Valencia  15:34

Yeah, it really does. Growing up in Green Island, you do see a lot of diversity. I did grow up with a lot of especially in my elementary, Jefferson Elementary and walnut Middle School. I did grow up with students that look like me, so I never felt like I was an outsider in high school, same thing, a lot of people that look like me, but when I got to UNL, that's when things changed, and I was like, Oh, I'm the only one, you know, with this kind of background, or in my classes, and they would be huge lecture halls. So I think that's something that GIPS, or something that Grand Island has, that's very special. They have that diversity in the different backgrounds too, which is really nice, absolutely, you know, something you don't really experience depending on what college you go to.

Mitchell Roush  16:33

Well and and it's also one of those, as I'm discovering, right? It's one of those things that is not necessarily as widely known either for the part of the state that we're in. We're in the middle of Nebraska, but we have this rich diversity and these rich opportunities for folks from all over the world to come here and find employments and build a family, which is wonderful to see you talk about UNL right? So it's interesting to hear you frame it that way. And I know you and I have talked before about your college experience, and you have a lot of good things to say, but also kind of the way you're framing it does feel a little different than the stereotype, right? Which is you experience some kind of sheltered things in primary school, and then you go to college, and the silos are off, whereas you were able to grow up here in Grand Island and experience this rich diversity. Talk about your college experience a little bit. You know, what was that transition like? Both the challenges and the good things.

Ashley Parra Valencia  17:33

So I'm a 2020, senior, so it was covid.

Mitchell Roush  17:38

You went through a lot, all right, you just went through a lot.

Ashley Parra Valencia  17:42

My experience might not be similar to yours because of those barriers, but when I had gone to UNL 2020, fall, we still had a lot of those covid restrictions in place because it had just happened a few months prior. So it was very difficult, I would say, my freshman year, to be social and not feel guilty about it, because of all the social distancing. I my fear was to hang out with someone new or something, meet new people somehow get sick by them go visit my family and get my family sick. Yeah. So it was a very difficult time trying to find my place, especially dealing with a different environment. So my freshman year, I was in person, but they had alternated, you know, it was a lot of zoom online, and I didn't really find my place their first semester, and so second semester, I ended up coming back to Grand Island and being a full online student. Now that to me, I had felt at the time was rock bottom, like, wow, I really don't feel like I belong in college. Higher Education might just be too much out of my picture, out of my hands. I'm just not capable, and that is how I truly felt at the time. I felt so defeated, but I decided to give it a second try. So I went back sophomore year in person with a little bit of a better attitude. I had just gone through summer, so, you know, I got that vitamin D. It was nice. It was a beautiful got some sunlight, and I went in with a better mindset, which was, honestly, it was very hard to kind of shift that mindset from being I feel defeated. This isn't for me to I'm excited to see how it will go, and be open to all these new experiences. So sophomore year there wasn't a lot of restriction, as much restriction as freshman year, for sure, but something that I knew I wanted to do, because I like to be a little busy be in high school, and you know, all through those years, I. I knew that I wanted to get involved with as many things that I liked doing in college, so I joined a few clubs here and there, and that's when I started finding my community, because UNL does have, you know, bigger classroom numbers, lecture halls like you get lost, you don't really talk to people around you most of the time, but I was fortunate enough to really be like, okay, like, I want to get through I want to graduate college. I like my major. I like everything about it is just so difficult sometimes to find a community within this big umbrella of a school. So I joined some clubs pertaining to my major. I started meeting some of my friends that became my friends throughout my resume college life, and still friends to this day. So I guess if what I'm saying is sometimes you sometimes college gets so difficult and you're so hard on yourself, and you start feeling like, am I even worth going through this? Well, is it even for me? I would just say, keep keep pushing yourself. Keep trying. Your college, your university, will have resources for you. If you have to go to therapy, use all the resources that they offer you, because it truly is so nice. It gives you a way to really do some self reflection and also encouragement. If you feel alone. What worked for me might work for you, and you can alter this. It's just, you know, going to some school events, school sponsored events and just putting yourself out there, because sooner or later, you'll find your community the same way that you did in high school or middle school or whatever that is. So use all the resources that they have available for you. They're there for a reason.

Mitchell Roush  21:57

It's a good word to share too, because I think, I think, intrinsically right, like people want to help. I really believe that, and knowing that there are staff, there are resources, there are departments, there are teachers that are available, that want to be helpful, and so, yeah, you got to self advocate a little bit so they know that you are looking for help, or that you they know that you are struggling a little bit. But that is that's such a refreshing reminder.

GIPS COMMERCIAL  22:25

Public schools, news flash: Substitute teachers are heroes! That's why Grand Island Public Schools is hiring for substitute teachers across the district. The best part about being a substitute teacher, GIPS has a new higher pay rates, and you can pick your own school. Go to gips.org/employment for more information and to apply today. Will you join our team of everyday heroes? Go to gips.org/employment to learn more about joining our team of substitute teachers.

Mitchell Roush  23:02

You majored in advertising marketing at UNL, which is really cool, and you got a chance to be a part of some really cool things while you were there. So talk to me a little bit about your internship opportunities and some of the cool things you got to build while you were there.

Ashley Parra Valencia 23:16

Yes, so I was a marketing and sales slash campus engagement intern for the LEAD Center for Performing Arts, and I did that for over a year. That was so fulfilling to me, because I ever since I got into school in my major, I wanted to really take a look at the entertainment industry, and so that for me really itch that scratch. So I was able to do event planning. But also, I think the most special part for me was advocating and being a voice for half price tickets slash free tickets for students that are available, but not a lot of students know, because if you know the fine arts going to a show at the LEAD Center or the Orpheum in Omaha, tickets are so expensive, and it's not always accessible to people that you know it isn't in their budget. So I think for me, it was so special being able to spread knowledge and be like spread awareness about this program that the university offered, because when I was in high school, I didn't have my family didn't have the extra funds to, you Know, go to a performance over at the LEAD Center, or Orpheum, or something like that. So I think that's very special. Fine Arts can be very special, even if you don't like to sing or dance. Don't worry watching it is just a very special experience if you have the opportunity. So. Yeah, that for me, was very special.

Mitchell Roush  25:03

Absolutely. And this is a common thread, as people know your story and hear from you, more is the concept of you are very much driven by helping people, but you're also a creative individual, and so you want to be able, when you can, to bridge those things together. And sounds like that was a really great opportunity for you to do that.

Ashley Parra Valencia  25:23

Yes, it was so cool, so awesome. The people that I worked with my peers, like it was so awesome to learn from others. And yeah, overall, 12 out of 10.

Mitchell Roush  25:38

That's awesome. And so just to give some full disclosure for our listeners, Ashley actually came and spent a little bit of time with our GI PS communications team, doing some job shadowing with us. So this is why I know a little bit of background around her and her story for this conversation, but kind of making that connection, I remember the first time you came in and hung out with us. Ashley, you had said that it was really important for you, if you could, to come back to Grand Island, to come back to your hometown and to be a part of doing good here. So this is, this is your hot mic moment, right? Like, yeah. Share, share with me, share with the listeners. Why was it important for you to get those great experiences at UNL and get plugged into the community of Lincoln and come back to Grand Island.

Ashley Parra Valencia  26:28

So one of the reasons why I decided to bring back my professional career and begin it here in Grand Island was because, first of all, I miss my family.

Mitchell Roush  26:40

Which is okay, yeah, like, you want to be by your family. I think that's totally normal.

Ashley Parra Valencia  26:44

They always keep me busy with the birthday parties and all the other things in between. So definitely coming back and spending time with my family so special to me and very important. But another aspect of why I decided to come back to Grand Island is because, especially, definitely after Job shadowing here with Mitch and the communication department, it was so evident how how supportive the community is with each other, and that is something that I didn't really NOTICE so much, at least outside of the university life in Lincoln, I couldn't get indulged in it, but here in Grand Island, it really did feel like everybody wanted to help each other and just wants to grow the town for the better, whether that's for public schools or with The nonprofit organizations. I think that's so special. So one thing that I had mentioned to Mitch when I our first meeting was that I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me and my family, because my family had moved here, I believe not long before I was born. So I was the first family member and burned a family tree to be born in the United States, and that just happens to be here in Grand Island, so huge, you can call me a historical figure in the Para Valencia tree. But I didn't grow up with the most resources. You know me and my sisters were first gen my parents had never gone through this educational system here in the United States, so everything was a learning curve, and just trying to be the best that we could be so we can give back to our family, and that's all my parents ever wanted, was for us to have good education and to graduate college. Yeah, which you did, which I did, and to just have a career that we're passionate about, and it doesn't even feel like work. And I feel like coming back to Grand Island and even having being able to have that at Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity, a job that doesn't feel so draining, or, Oh, I have to go back the other day, it does not feel like that at all, because I'm able to do what I love in the creative side. So do marketing and event planning and all that super fun stuff, but also being able to lend a helping hand in the community, and that for me, was so detrimental to where I would end up starting or beginning my career was to just be kind of a resource for the community.

Mitchell Roush  29:40

And wanting to give back to the community that gave you so much. That is a wonderful thing to hear, and that is just inspirational for a lot of different reasons. So Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity like that's that's about as giving back as it gets, right? So talk to me about that, what you do and what excites you about this opportunity?

Ashley Parra Valencia  30:01

Something that excites me about working at Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity, is, of course, working with Lindsay jurigen. She's so awesome, and my coworker, Carla Chavez, she's also so great. Us working together a little trio, really makes me excited for what's to come, and kind of rebuilding, because we're all basically new. We all just started like this summer, so it's what Lindsay calls it. It's a learning it's a learning experience every single day or something. It's really nice to help the organization reach its full potential, and that makes me so excited. We have people coming into the office every day asking they can get an application for housing, and we're like, that doesn't start until December. So it makes me really excited. How, also, how many people are willing to help us, and have been such a great resource, especially trying to build it out and and do our future events and stuff like that. But there's so there's so much in store for habitat, for humanity, and that makes me excited. It makes me so excited. I can't quite put it into words. My mind is spinning a million miles per hour, but it really is so exciting, and if you guys have the opportunity, please reach out to us with any questions. If you know of somebody that would like an application when we begin that process, we would love to let you know -

Mitchell Roush  31:45

Or volunteer!

Ashley Parra Valencia  31:45

You're hired! I do want to give a shout out. You mentioned Lindsay Juergens at the time we're recording this, which is in early September 2024 Lindsay is just finishing up her stint as serving on the Board of Education here for Grand Island Public Schools, and she is a great leader and has made a huge, huge positive impact in our schools and in the community work that she's done. So you are in good hands working with Lindsay. I feel honored to work with her. So she's been so great, especially kind of helping me move into this position so nice. I don't know how she does it. She's everywhere, all at once. I don't know how she does it.

Mitchell Roush  32:25

And so thinking about how you've done it now, right? Like you've you've come back, you've got the job, you've got you've got plans, you've got visions, and you are excited about being in the place that raised you. So now that you think about launching this next phase of your life, your professional career, what is it? What is your hope for Grand Island as a community, as it continues to grow?

Ashley Parra Valencia  32:47

So, even coming so before I left those 2020 and now fully being back, so much changed has developed. Yeah, it's constantly changing. All the new things we're about to get everything that's being built. Oh my goodness,

Mitchell Roush  33:03

It's a lot.

Ashley Parra Valencia  33:04

It's a lot long list, but it's really cool and so. So something I hope for the Grand Island community, as it continues to grow, is to keep staying that helpful, lending a hand, resourceful community where everyone is willing to help everyone. It really does feel that way, especially where I'm working, and so I hope that that continues to stay constant with all this crazy growth and all these cool developments, I hope that the Grand Island community continues to be a community. That's

Mitchell Roush  33:41

Such a good soundbite, I hope that the Grand Island community continues to be a community.

Ashley Parra Valencia  33:46

Yes, you're welcome. Hey, Kelli!

Mitchell Roush  33:49

Absolutely yes, for sure, though, because again, coming back to your experience that was, that was so much of what helped you get to where you want to be, and helped you discover what was around you, and resources and all those things. And if we can continue being there for each other, then we will continue to hold on to the things that make us better. Thinking now about being in this community, being a product of the public schools here, but now that you're a patron of the community, what's one thing about public education, you wish folks better understood or knew about.

Ashley Parra Valencia  34:26

So I went through all my years in the district, and it was all very meaningful and helped me become the person, slash where I am today. But coming back and and everyone's working hat is always on. Was very inspiring. And the depart the communications department at GIPS, help me see all the work that goes into every single detail that you may not notice or like, oh, they just, you know, made a decision about this. I guarantee. To you, it takes a village for every single thing. One thing about public education, I wish more folks better understood is that there's a whole village trying to make the school year happen with you know, flow a lot better, and that it's a lot of people on the other side, reassuring that everything flows beautifully. And I think, or I wish, people had more patience with teachers, the administration side of things, so there's a lot that you don't see that goes on behind the scenes, for any detail that you see on the other side,

Mitchell Roush  35:44

We are here for the children. We are here to take care of the students. And the level of care and dedication that the people have here is absolutely incredible. And you've and you've seen some of that firsthand as a student and also as an outsider, getting a chance to come and peek behind the curtain, so to speak.

Ashley Parra Valencia  36:01

Right? It's very special. What everyone how everyone tries their best to be for the children. So it's a very special thing to see. And definitely, I definitely felt it going through the school system, you know, through my years here. So coming from me, your work does not go unnoticed.

Mitchell Roush  36:21

Well, that's wonderful to hear, and I think our staff will, or will want, will genuinely appreciate that as well, because we've got great people here. Ash as we kind of wind down a little bit here, is there anything else you want to share or shout out?

Ashley Parra Valencia  36:36

I would love to shout out my family. Yeah, my mom, Maria, my dad, Roberto, and my sisters, zellak, aka Z and Melanie, they have been my, you know, support system outside of school. They've seen me at my ugliest. So I appreciate you guys and really encouraging me to be where I am today, and just helping me realize my fullest potential. Your efforts don't go unnoticed. So I love you guys very much, and also my aunts and my uncles and my grandparents and my little cousins, everyone there's so special to me. You guys are so special to me.

Mitchell Roush  37:20

And then, how can folks get a hold of you? If people are interested in learning more about the Grand Island area, Habitat for Humanity, or your work or volunteering, or anything like that, how can folks find you?

Ashley Parra Valencia  37:31

Please, if you have any questions or would love to volunteer your time, or any of the above, my email is Ashley, A, S, H, L, E, y, at, G, I, habitat.org, please reach out to me. I would love to answer any and all questions. If you're not an email person and you'd rather call our phone number is 3083, 8550, 8550, 510, and if you'd rather speak to us face to face, our address is 502 West Second Street, Grand Island Nebraska, 6868801, or if you don't want to see us face to face, or talk to us on the phone, you think you can find the information yourself. You are most welcome to On gi habitat.org, or go to our Facebook, which you can find through the website.

Mitchell Roush  38:38

Fabulous Ashley, thank you so much for being here. Thank you for sharing. It was great to hang out and to hear more of your story, but also we are incredibly proud of you here at GIPS. We are so glad that you have landed where you've landed, you're back here, and we are very proud of you. So thank you.

Ashley Parra Valencia  38:55

Thank you.

Mitchell Roush  38:59

Thanks again to Ashley par Valencia for joining us on the GI PS cast. We are so proud of her and the things that she is going to be doing to make a positive impact here in our community. Thank you, listeners, as always, for joining us here on the GIPS cast. We couldn't do this without you. If you enjoyed this episode or if you enjoy this podcast, please give us a rating or a review on your favorite podcast platform that will help other people discover us along the way. Of course, be sure to visit GIPS.org that's www.GIPS.org our district website. It is our hub for all the resources trusted information and and fun stories and videos that you want to see from Grand Island Public Schools. Thank you again, listeners for joining us. We will be coming at you soon with more great stories from Grand Island Public Schools. Thank you.