![TCN_AC-Cobranding_white-1-1](https://corpsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/TCN_AC-Cobranding_white-1-1.png)
Earlier this week as we announced, both Anthony “Chako” Ciocco of Southwest Conservation Corps and Jon Brito of Kupu were honored by the White House for “engaging the next generation of conservation leaders.”
Numerous staff members from The Corps Network were honored to attend the event on Tuesday, and watch Chako and Jon represent us and the Corps Movement so well!
Secretary Jewell Makes Big Show of Support at Event, and Through Secretarial Order
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell served as the keynote speaker for the event, and highlighted each of the fourteen honorees’ accomplishments. She quoted each of the honorees, and even ended her remarks with a quote from a forthcoming blog post written by Chako, to soon be published by the White House! (See video at time mark of 34 minutes and 35 seconds). She also announced that she would soon issue a Secretarial order for her youth initiative, which among other features formalizes the continuing implementation of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. A press release about the order was released earlier today. We believe this is a significant development and thank the Secretary for her support!
Other Representatives also Highlight Importance of Youth in Conservation and 21st Century Conservation Service Corps
The event also featured high-ranking officials from numerous other agencies and the White House, including White House Counselor John Podesta, Department of Interior Assistant Secretary Rhea Suh, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Arthur Blazer (pictured), and Acting Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Michael Boots. Everyone was emphatic in their support of getting youth involved in conservation, and that the 14 “Champions of Change” were excellent role models for showcasing methods and strategies for involving youth in a variety of conservation efforts. The honorees were evenly split into two moderated panels, where they introduced themselves and answered questions from the moderators, from Twitter, and from the live audience. A video of the first hour of the event has already been posted on Youtube. In total it was a three hour event, so we are still waiting for the next video which should feature Chako and Jon’s panel.
Additional Highlights Feature a Trip to Meet Wendy Spencer at the Corporation for National & Community Service, a mural tour at the Department of Interior that concluded with a stop in Secretary Jewell’s Office
Both Jon and Chako were invited to the offices of AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) following the event. They were joined by Dr. Benjamin Blonder and Andy Hart, two other “Champions” who each had an AmeriCorps connection. CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer took a few moments to meet each of the honorees and take a photo with them. All of the champions also filmed quick videos with AmeriCorps staff.
Later in the afternoon, the Champions of Change were invited to take a tour of the Department of Interior, and see many of its fantastic and historic murals. Jon and Chako stopped to pose in front of one mural that depicted the Civilian Conservation Corps. The honorees gradually made their way to Secretary Jewell’s office, where she again greeted the Champions and took more photos.
Party On Champions
But the fun didn’t end there. The champions were invited by The Wilderness Society to their Ansel Adams Gallery to join a reception in honor of Bill Hodge, one of the Champions who was honored as a representative of the Wilderness Society’s Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) program. An additional event was organized by our friends with the Outdoors Alliance for Kids.
Praise from Members of Congress for Chako and Jon
“The White House Champions of Change award is a fitting recognition of Anthony’s environmental stewardship and leadership. He works tirelessly to improve outdoor access on the Navajo Nation,” Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet said. “In true Colorado fashion, Anthony, and the Southwest Conservation Corps, are dedicated to furthering opportunities for all of us to get outside and appreciate the outdoors, while also teaching countless young people the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources.”
“Today at the White House, a local Moloka`i leader is being honored for his work to preserve our precious island environment and Native Hawaiian cultural practices. Jon has restored many endangered native Hawai`i species and habitats through his work with AmeriCorps and Kupu’s Hawai`i Youth Conservation Corps. I’m so proud of Jon and all that he has done to improve his community and the environment around him, while setting a great example for our keiki to follow. Congratulations, Jon, for this well-deserved honor! Aloha!” — U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard
Proud that today’s #WHChamps youth conservation leaders includes Hawaii’s Jon Brito of @kupuhawaii pic.twitter.com/b4KrkQZEq6
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) March 18, 2014
Congrats to Anthony Ciocco from #GallupNM on his @WhiteHouse #Champions4Change award. #conservation. https://t.co/c3YEuJbi3M
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) March 18, 2014
Press
* We will continue adding to this list as new stories are posted and released.
- The Corps Network’s long-form news release and the shorter release we sent through PR Newswire
- A Huffington Post piece about the Champions of Change written by Levi
- Conservation Legacy / Southwest Conservation Corps press release
- Outdoor Industry Association press release highlights Chako
- Outdoors Alliance for Kids press release highlights Chako, Jon, and several honorees from our partners
- CNCS / AmeriCorps Blog Post featuring Jon and Chako titled “Conserving the Future of Our Outdoors”
- Honolulu Civil Beat features Jon in article titled “UH Student Honored as One of Two National Next Gen ‘Conservation Leaders’”
- “White House To Millennial Climate Change Leaders: Learn, Serve, And Work” from Generation Progress
- Durango Herald article about Chako: “Here’s a leader the White House honored”