How one Borrego Springs teen is using music, service, and storytelling to make a difference
Through the Borrego Sun Youth Internship Program, Mia Garcia is learning how to tell community stories while building confidence, communication skills, and real-world media experience.
Hear it from Mia herself:
Hello, my name is Mia Guadalupe Garcia. I am 14 years old and excited to be a Youth Intern with the Borrego Sun. Through this program, I hope to learn more about writing, interviewing people, marketing, and media while sharing stories about our community.
I live with my mom, dad, my 15-year-old sister Maria, and our chickens. My family is an important part of my life, and they have always encouraged me to use my imagination, work hard, and follow my dreams.
One of the things I love most about Borrego Springs is how people come together. Whether it is a holiday event, community gathering, or local fundraiser, it feels like everyone is part of one big family. Seeing people connect and support each other is something that makes Borrego Springs special to me.
I stay involved in several community activities. I participate in
OLAX
(Organizacion de Latinx de Borrego Springs), volunteer at Vacation Bible School as a youth counselor, and help at the food bank during the summer when the heat can be extremely hard for community members. I enjoy volunteering and helping wherever I can.
Music is a big part of my life.
BAMA, the Borrego Academy of Music & Arts, feels like a second home and a second family. It gives me a place to express myself through music and develop my skills as a singer and musician. I have attended BAMA since it started and have been involved for two years.
Art is another creative outlet for me. Through classes with
Karla Diaz, I have learned that creativity is about expressing feelings and ideas. She encourages students to believe in themselves and continue developing their talents.
My favorite class in school is Teen Health Science because it teaches important life skills. The class helps students prepare for adulthood by learning about health, responsibility, laws, and decision-making.
One of my favorite places in Borrego Springs is BAMA because of the support and encouragement I receive there. I also enjoy Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and would recommend it to visitors because of its scenery, educational exhibits, hiking opportunities, and connection to the desert environment.
As a Youth Intern, I hope to improve my interviewing, writing, spelling, pronunciation, and self-promotion skills. I would like to learn how writers tell stories that inform and inspire others. Writing may even become one of my future careers.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to sharing stories about Borrego Springs and learning more about media and journalism through the Borrego Sun Youth Internship Program.
A snapshot into Mia's life...
Singing with Juan at Una Noche Mexicana, an OLAX event.
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I performed at a Sean Oliu event , thanks to Mitzi Matijevich and Dan Wright at The Springs.
Performing for Sean Oliu, thanks to Mitzi Matijevich and Dan Wright at The Springs.
My sister Maria’s beautiful quinceañera with my Mom, Dad and myself.
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Maria and I volunteering at the Community Resource Center in Borrego Springs.
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Follow-Up Questions with Mia
After Mia wrote her introduction, we asked her a few follow-up questions to learn more about her interests, goals, and connection to the Borrego Springs community.
Mia shared that her love for singing started with her family. Her mother inspired her to sing and practice, and her paternal grandfather, Guadalupe Lopez, was also a singer. Music has been part of her life for a long time, and it continues to shape her goals.
One of Mia’s favorite memories from BAMA was learning her first song, “How Far I’ll Go” from
Moana. At first, she did not know the chords, but her guitar instructor Dennis Hunsinger worked with her again and again until she could play the song without looking at the strings.
When she finally played it confidently, Dennis was surprised, excited, and proud.
When asked about volunteering, Mia said the most rewarding part is feeling useful and knowing she is helping make other people’s jobs easier. Through volunteering, she has learned that showing up and helping others can make a real difference.
What Mia Learned — Mentor Notes
As Mia’s mentor, I saw her practice several important first-week internship skills. She communicated about the assignment, shared what days and times worked best for her, used Google Drive to access and submit materials, and completed her work on time.
She also learned how to take her answers from a question list and turn them into a story with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This helped her understand that writing is not just about answering questions, but organizing ideas so readers can follow the story.
Mia also practiced adding captions to images, choosing details that explain what the reader is seeing, and connecting photos to the story she is telling.
Next week, Mia will share her coverage of OLAX’s recent Taco & Lotería Night fundraiser at American Legion Post 853.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
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July 9, 2026
A 1966 Borrego Sun photo offers a glimpse of Christmas Circle during one of Borrego Valley's busy wildflower seasons. Published in the April 2, 1966 edition, the image shows visitors relaxing on the lawn near the iconic fountain after spending time exploring the desert in bloom. The original caption reads: SIESTA — One can get pretty hot and tired, looking at the wildflowers in Borrego Valley. Christmas Circle, with its inviting fountain, trees and green grass, is a nice place to take a break. This is the way it has been during the last few weekends. The photograph captures a quiet moment in Borrego Springs history, preserving the way visitors experienced Christmas Circle nearly 60 years ago. Images like this continue to document the community's past through the pages of the Borrego Sun archives.
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July 8, 2026
When the future of the Community Concert Association was uncertain, Bill Wright inspired a path forward through growth, volunteers and community support. As the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association announces its new season, it is worth remembering the people who helped keep this tradition alive. Founded in 1975, the all-volunteer nonprofit brings high-quality, eclectic music to Borrego Springs. Each season includes five public concerts and four free educational concerts for local students. Children are bused to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to experience professional live music, and musicians also visit local schools for interactive programs that introduce students to music up close. That tradition almost came to an end. When the Association had fallen on hard times (2015) and was preparing to disband, Bill Wright stepped forward. By reaching out to his many business associates, Bill raised enough money to help save the organization and keep professional musicians coming to the Borrego stage. Among his written correspondence with the board, Bill Wright repeatedly advocated for “growth, not reduction,” encouraged members to “recruit new volunteers” and “develop sponsorship opportunities,” and closed one letter with a promise that captured his commitment: “We will do more than our share to keep the great music series going.”
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Sylvia Maas’ nearly 7,000-kilometer ride from Norway to Spain ended after a serious knee injury during the NorthCape–Tarifa adventure.
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By Andrea McKenna
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June 23, 2026
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June 19, 2026
Hubbell’s dining room table bathed in warm light surrounded in beautifully crafted art in addition to surrounding heirloom art from Jones family. Photo courtesy Ilan Lael Foundation, 2020 East County News Services June 18, 2026 (Julian) — Hidden among 10 acres of oak woodland in the mountains of Santa Ysabel sits an architectural marvel that bridges the boundaries between art and nature — and this local hidden gem has now received new national acclaim. The Ilan-Lael Foundation announced recently that the home and studio of its founders, the late artist James Hubbell and his wife Anne, has been officially accepted into the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, a prestigious coalition under the National Trust for Historic Preservation . By achieving this designation, Ilan-Lael joins an elite group of 93 sites across 32 states, placing Hubbell’s property alongside the creative sanctuaries of renowned American artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, James W. Washington Jr., and Dorothy Riester. James Hubbell (1931–2024) was widely regarded as both a visionary artist and an organic architect. Over a span of more than six decades, he and Anne constructed 13 distinct structures on their Santa Ysabel compound. Often described as “habitable sculptures,” the buildings are defined by their deep roots in the surrounding landscape, utilizing found natural materials, intricate mosaics, stained glass, and custom ironwork. Hubbell’s ethereal designs extend far beyond his mountain retreat; his public and private works have graced hundreds of spaces across Southern California and the Pacific Rim. “We are beyond honored to have received this designation that will help us continue to commemorate Jim’s legacy,” said Marianne Gerdes, executive director at the Ilan-Lael Foundation. “Since his passing, we have strived to uphold his belief that art and nature work harmoniously. The property has always been the best hidden gem of San Diego, and now the recognition helps us to share the magic with the public.” Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios operates as a peer-to-peer museum coalition dedicated to preserving the primary residences and creative workspaces of notable American artists. As the only national entity focused on site-specific narratives in American art history, HAHS provides expertise in historic preservation, visitor programming, and community outreach. For the Ilan-Lael Foundation, this induction reinforces its ongoing mission to act as a community educator and arts advocate. Following James Hubbell’s passing in 2024, the foundation has actively expanded public access to his lifework. Historically, the private property was only open to the community during an annual Father’s Day weekend tour hosted by James and Anne. Today, the ILF has broadened its reach to include year-round tours with expanded access to the Santa Ysabel headquarters and studios; public exhibition showcasing Hubbell’s work at prominent locations (including the San Diego International Airport and the Oceanside Museum of Art); and educational partnerships, fostering continuous learning environments with local institutions such as UC San Diego, Palomar College and the Julian Union School District. Through these initiatives, the foundation continues to explore new avenues to engage the community, inspire creativity, and sustain Hubbell’s vision of a sanctuary where art and nature coexist perfectly. To learn more about the Ilan-Lael Foundation, explore James Hubbell’s artistic legacy or schedule a visit to the newly recognized historic property, visit ilanlaelfoundation.org
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