People Watch: Milton Cambre honored at national service learning conference

Norco resident Miton Cambre was honored by being invited to be a part of the Gathering of Elders at the 21st Annual National Service-Learning Conference held in San Jose, Calif., for his work with students as part of the Harry Hurst Middle Wetland Watchers Service-Learning Project.

"Mr. Milton is a fantastic role model for the students and all people to see what can be accomplished by being an involved citizen. His love of the wetlands and his dedication to sharing his knowledge, experience, and passion with the next generation has been a huge part of the success of the Wetland Watchers Project and on a larger scale, a huge benefit to St. Charles parish" said Barry Guillot, a teacher at Hurst Middle and the founder of the Wetland Watchers. "I have always said that Mr. Milton has been my inspiration for everything that I do towards wetland preservation. I am proud to share my favorite elder with the rest of the world at the conference!"

Only five elders from around the world are chosen to be a part of this event each year. At this annual gathering, elders from five different cultural backgrounds spoke from their traditions and life experiences about youth, change, service, and leadership.

Community elders were chosen by having shown extraordinary wisdom and originality as teachers and counselors of change. Their life lessons are contained in philosophies, oral histories, and ceremonies, handed from one generation to the next.

Milton was joined on stage by four other elders including Carol Bellamy, who is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative and former Executive Director for UNICEF, Reuven Gal, a former head of Israel's Civilian Service Authority who has also worked extensively on conflict resolution and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, Leland Little Dog, a tribal Lakota leader from South Dakota, and Mary Syfax Noble, a retired teacher and Principal.

 

During one of the events, the Elders reflected with youth in a cross-generational exchange on community healing. Cambre, the voice for LaBranche Wetlands on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans for 40 years, said that we are a country with many problems and that "we need to work together for the common good."