Hello there! My name is Rico Carale, and I am from La Junta, Colorado- a town rich in heritage and a community woven together by agriculture. Although I live in La Junta, I attended high school in a neighboring town called Swink. I am a Filipino-American who is an Eagle Scout, an Operation Smile enthusiast , and an avid Boston Celtics fan. In my free time, I enjoy riding my bike, exploring the outdoors, playing basketball, or spending time with my friends. Ever since I was little, I’ve had a passion for helping others and serving those in my community. As a result, I got involved with my local Boy Scout troop, earning my Eagle Scout rank after building bat houses for my town’s recycling center. During the summers, I also spend my time volunteering in the Sante Fe BOCES Extended School Year program, which aims at educating children with disabilities through an activity-based curriculum. I’ve also had the opportunity to serve on an overseas mission to China through an organization called Operation Smile. In this mission, I found within myself a passion to help people through the medical field, which is why I currently desire to become a physician. My Ogallala internship is at the Lower Ark Water Conservation District in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and it is an experience that I am excited for. I can’t wait to read about the experiences of my fellow interns as well as share some of my own. I’ll see you guys later!

