Cooper’s Leadership Journey from Participant to Instructor to Rookie of the Year with Cottonwood Began in 8th-Grade
Written by Erin Angel, Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Calling Cooper a “rookie” doesn’t quite fit! Although this is his first year as a Cottonwood Institute instructor, his journey with us began in 8th grade as a program participant. He later joined our Changemakers Outdoor Leadership Corps, serving as an Instructor Apprentice during his senior year of high school. Today, he’s a sophomore at the University of Utah.
Cooper dreams of creating his own program that combines dance, nature, and the outdoors, and he lives his commitment to sustainability by repairing and reusing clothing and outdoor gear. He always has the best fit on the trip.
This summer, Cooper has stepped up again and again, leading trips whenever we needed him and making a lasting impact on students and fellow instructors with his enthusiasm, leadership, and reliability.
Congratulations, Cooper, on being named our Rookie of the Year!
Here’s what Cooper’s fellow instructors had to say about working with him:
“Cooper brings such a lively energy to our trips and outstanding ability to connect with youth in nature! He is a natural leader and I’m honored to get to work with him.”
“Cooper is the absolute best. He shows up with grace, calm, warmth, and understanding. He has a way of outlining clear boundaries for our participants while making them feel genuinely cared for, supported, and welcome.”
“He’s funny, kind, and unapologetically himself, and that gives everyone around him permission to do the same. He’s an incredible teacher, especially through hands-on learning. He has a gift for meeting people where they are, walking them through new skills with patience, and making them feel capable.”
“He’s also just so much fun to work with. Cooper is an amazing teammate: collaborative, easygoing, and always willing to jump in wherever he’s needed. Working alongside him is easy because he brings such a positive, grounded energy to everything he does.”
“He carries himself with confidence, grace, and humility, which is a rare combination. Our participants trust him, our team relies on him, and every program is better because he’s a part of it. We are so lucky to have him!”
“Cooper is so conscientious and reliable. I know I can count on him every time. He genuinely cares about each participant, staff member and family in our programs.”
Congrats again to Cooper for being our Cottonwood Rookie of the Year! We look forward to more (seriously stylish) outdoor adventures with Cooper in the future!
