The local scholarship initiative is an important aspect of Fish for Change programs. At each location, we have two young community members attend F4C each week. Here are some of the benefits:
- Expose local teens to fly fishing which has potential to be their lifelong career path
- Give a local teen an opportunity to become an ambassador of their community and liaison between the visiting student group and the location
- Carry on the tradition of fly fishing for generations to come
- Bridge cultural barriers between teenagers from different upbringings and locations
This past summer, Derrick Jr. Antunez (far right), 15 years old, attended a week-long program on his home island! Derrick was born and raised in Guanaja, and his family has always been a part of F4C and the lodge.
Before the week began, Derrick felt a bit nervous. He wondered whether he should go, since he had always been a little shy. Derrick took the risk and stepped out of his comfort zone, thinking about the new experiences and friends waiting for him.
The week before, Derrick came to the lodge and met William. William is from rural Idaho, and Derrick spoke about how nice it was to have someone be so curious and ask about the island. They talked about the tides, the mountains, the weather, etc. It felt like his week had already begun. This is the heart of Fish for Change: two students from entirely different places engaging in conversations about the similarities and differences in their homes, connecting with kindness and curiosity.
Before the week began, Derrick felt a bit nervous. He wondered whether he should go, since he had always been a little shy. Derrick took the risk and stepped out of his comfort zone, thinking about the new experiences and friends waiting for him.
The week before, Derrick came to the lodge and met William. William is from rural Idaho, and Derrick spoke about how nice it was to have someone be so curious and ask about the island. They talked about the tides, the mountains, the weather, etc. It felt like his week had already begun. This is the heart of Fish for Change: two students from entirely different places engaging in conversations about the similarities and differences in their homes, connecting with kindness and curiosity.
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Left: Derrick from Guanaja, Lorant from Hungary,, and Rhett from Andrew take a photo with Trip Leader Scott Allen downtown Mangrove Bight. Right: Derrick goes fishing with Guide Kendell and his 14 year old nephew, Kersten.
Derrick had not fly fished before coming to F4C and expressed that it was frustrating at the start. “But the guides are so patient with you, they are always helping.” They had a hard week with the fish, but on the last day another student, Jared, caught a permit. “When Jared caught that permit, it felt like everyone’s permit. At the end of the week, although I didn’t catch a fish, what I walked away with was more important, and I caught a whole new group of friends and amazing memories.” His perspective changed to “always be positive, keep the negativeness away.”
One of the best aspects of the local scholarship program is having those students be an island guide for the out-of-country students. When asked about his favorite things to show the rest of the students he said, “talking to Rhett and them about the beaches and the caves. The ones inland at Rocky Hill, a lot of people haven’t been there and they haven’t been explored before. It felt nice because it felt like I was visiting too. I went to parts of the island I had never seen, like this beach in North East Bight. It was my first time going there, and the water was so blue and full of fish.”
“My favorite memory was playing Survivor on the island. We were all up super late running around, watching the stars, and playing hide and seek. Then the rain hit. Everything was soaked and we all couldn’t fit in the tent. It was so much fun. We all woke up the next morning, put our wet clothes back on, and waded the flats for hours.”
Photo: Guanaja Family shows US students how to catch and eat crabs on our final evening going away party.
When asked what he would tell people about Fish for Change, Derrick said, “If they have the opportunity, no matter where it is, take it. It’s gonna be the best week of their life. It will be life-changing and open a million doors of opportunity and curiosity. You’re gonna be more positive, and your mindset will change. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; to get to experience something like that is beautiful.”
Derrick truly had an incredible impact on the week. His vulnerability, kindness, and willingness to learn and be curious allowed him to take in the whole experience. Derrick and the rest of the students from his week have a group chat that they keep in touch with frequently, and he is so excited to see his new friends next summer!
Derrick truly had an incredible impact on the week. His vulnerability, kindness, and willingness to learn and be curious allowed him to take in the whole experience. Derrick and the rest of the students from his week have a group chat that they keep in touch with frequently, and he is so excited to see his new friends next summer!