What better way to encapsulate what I feel for Arecibo than this picture. Arecibo to me is a powerful icon of Puerto Rico. A part of my family. An inspirational symbol that got me to where I am today. The impact of Arecibo truly goes beyond science. Arecibo is cultural.
I have such a vivid memory of the first time I visited Arecibo. My family took me as a child, some 4 or 5 years old. I was in awe. This facility... was in my backyard! This goal post for science was here in Puerto Rico. We were part of science. I was part of science. 
Every year since that first visit, I made my family take me to see Arecibo. It was my Disney. Hearing about what neat work was being done in my home, just made me so prideful and hopeful. Maybe one day I could do this. I could do science. I could make this impact.
Later on I got the privilege to work there. I geeked out when I got the call. You mean me? Really, me? I get to live this dream? I get to do kewl work that literally helps defend the world. SIGN ME UP!
And I got to see something so amazing. That inspiration Arecibo had with me, it was still happening. Students from all over Puerto Rico would visit, hear my talks, say they wanted to do this too. To do this work. I got to help people.
We brought students to the observatory to work with us. High school students from PR got to have their first experience doing science. Every one of them would glow when they entered our gates. I was so happy to see them filled with hope and passion, inspired by Arecibo.
Many of them, they're now at college. They've made space exploration clubs at the University of Puerto Rico. They've helped build the first astronomy minor in Puerto Rico. They are paving the way for others. I couldn't be more proud!!
You see, sometimes what you see as a "thing", it's more than that to the people.
Think about what the Golden Gate Bridge means to San Francisco, Statue of Liberty to New Yorkers. Arecibo is this and more to Puerto Rico because it has gone beyond an icon.
Think about what the Golden Gate Bridge means to San Francisco, Statue of Liberty to New Yorkers. Arecibo is this and more to Puerto Rico because it has gone beyond an icon.
For some of us, it became that goal to reach towards, that symbol that we can achieve great things, that pride that in our own back yard we were serving the entire planet.
Para mí, tú mi Arecibo, siempre serás mi alma, mi inspiración, mi familia.
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