Nichi Avina is a California Teacher of the Year whose passion lies in empowering youth through education, mindfulness, and community healing. Rooted in her Buddhist practice, she inspires others to awaken their inherent dignity and transform challenges into sources of growth and value.
Spider Hawke is a retired park ranger, is a Master California naturalist and the staff naturalist for the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park. She has lived in Joshua tree for over twenty years and has practiced Buddhism for 34 years.