J-1 Teachers From Philippines Volunteering At Sheriff’s Posse Monthly Cowboy Breakfasts

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 29, 2024
- 4:56 pm

Scene from volunteers on the job at the January 2024 Cowboy Breakfast. Mary Janelle Fortuno (J-1 Teacher), front, and Assistant Teacher Miriam LeBlanc, back. Courtesy/Bernadette Guillermo

Posse Lodge Board Officers, ROTC Volunteers and Posse Member-Volunteers. Courtesy/Bernadette Guillermo

By BERNADETTE GUILLERMO
Sheriff’s Posse Lodge
Member-Volunteer

J-1 teachers from the Philippines, assigned in the Española School District, have been volunteering during the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Posse monthly breakfast since January 2024.

The Filipino J-1 teachers have received donations from members of the Los Alamos community. As a way of giving back, the teachers volunteer their time in helping the Los Alamos community. This March will be their third month volunteering at the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge.

The J-1 Teacher Program is one of the programs of Bridge USA governed by Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (The Fulbright-Hays Act) of the Department of State. “The program has served as a valuable and important diplomatic tool of U.S. foreign policy. Its mission – to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries – remains vital to U.S. national security and building people-to-people connections around the world.” https://j1visa.state.gov/

Participating in community activities, such as the Sheriff’s Posse Cowboy Breakfast, is one of the many ways the J-1 Teachers experience American life. Exploring the beauty of America is another way. After volunteer work, they enjoyed snow sledding at the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. During the warmer months, they will explore other areas such as Jemez Springs and Bandelier National Monument.

February 2024 Breakfast. From Left: Vanessa Valdez (former J-1 Teacher), Analyn Garcia (J-1 Teacher), and Mary Janelle Fortuno (J-1 Teacher). Courtesy/Bernadette Guillermo