Nemas Gardens Summer Interns 2026: Summer Interns

Daveena Hurley & Keila Juarez

Daveena Hurley: Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone and Growing Through New Experiences

At just 15 years old, Daveena Hurley is already thinking ahead toward a future career in pharmacy. A student at Crofton High School, she enjoys drawing and reading, interests that reflect her creativity, curiosity, and love of learning. This summer, she chose to challenge herself by stepping outside her usual interests and joining the Nemas Gardens Summer Internship Program.

“I wanted to learn about gardening and also gain a new experience outside of my usual interests.”

For Daveena, the internship presented an opportunity to explore something completely different while developing new skills. She was drawn to the program because it offered the freedom to discover whether gardening was something she would enjoy while gaining hands-on experience in a supportive environment.

“It was a great way to learn more about gardening in a way that allowed me to freely explore how I feel about it.”

Discovering New Skills and Building Strong Work Habits

Through mentorship during the program, Daveena was able to bridge her interest in pharmacy with her hands-on work in the garden, realizing the meaningful correlation between the cultivation of the farm and the pharmaceutical world. This guidance helped her see how the foundations of medicine are often rooted in the natural environment she spent the summer exploring.

Throughout the internship, Daveena gained much more than gardening knowledge. She developed valuable workplace habits and learned skills that she believes will continue to benefit her long after the program ends.

"I've gained tons of new experience and work ethic that will definitely help me in my future."

Her experience highlights one of the goals of the Nemas Gardens Summer Internship Program: providing young people with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, strengthen their work ethic, and explore new interests through hands-on learning.

By stepping outside of her comfort zone, Daveena discovered that trying something unfamiliar can lead to personal growth and valuable life lessons.

Advice for Future Interns

When asked what advice she would share with future interns, Daveena encouraged them to fully embrace the opportunity.

"I would recommend fully investing yourself in the program to truly get the most out of it."

Her simple yet thoughtful advice serves as a reminder that the more effort and enthusiasm participants bring to the internship, the more rewarding the experience becomes.

Looking Ahead

As Daveena continues her education at Crofton High School and works toward her dream of becoming a pharmacist, she leaves the Nemas Gardens Summer Internship with new experiences, stronger work habits, and greater confidence in exploring opportunities beyond her comfort zone.

Her journey demonstrates that personal growth often begins by trying something new. Whether discovering a passion for gardening or developing skills that will carry into future careers, every experience contributes to building a brighter future.

Keila Juarez: Growing Knowledge, Confidence, and Initiative

As an incoming freshman preparing to join her school's orchestra, Keila Juarez already has an impressive list of interests, from playing the violin and creating art to volleyball and veterinary medicine. Guided by qualities such as dedication, leadership, loyalty, and discipline, Keila joined the Nemas Gardens Summer Internship eager to learn more about plants while gaining valuable real-world work experience. During her time in the garden, she expanded her knowledge to include medicinal herbs, discovering how certain plants can even be used to create medicine for animals.

“My goals for this internship were to learn more about plant care and gain more exposure to the working world.”

Inspired by her older brother's positive experience with Nemas Gardens, as an intern during the summer of 2025, Keila decided to embark on her own internship journey. Her curiosity about gardening and desire to understand the work behind a successful organization motivated her to take the opportunity.

"After seeing my brother get the opportunity to work with Nemas Gardens, I became interested and also wanted to experience it. I like plants and naturally I became curious to see the real process of gardening under the guidance of a successful organization."

A Supportive Environment to Learn and Grow

Throughout her internship, Keila discovered that learning about gardening was only part of the experience. The encouragement she received from fellow interns and mentors/supervisors made a lasting impression and created an environment where she felt welcomed and supported.

"Besides becoming more knowledgeable of plant care, the kindness and support from fellow colleagues and supervisors gave me a welcoming and positive work experience."

Her experience demonstrates one of the core values of Nemas Gardens: creating opportunities where young people can grow not only in knowledge and technical skills but also in confidence, teamwork, and leadership.

One of the most memorable moments of the summer was when Keila brought her violin into the garden. As she played, the local children gathered around, completely engaged and amazed by the performance. Even the plants seemed to flourish under the calming influence of the music, adding a unique and peaceful atmosphere to the workday.

Words of Advice for Future Interns

When asked what advice she would give to future interns, Keila emphasized the importance of taking initiative and being proactive.

"I would recommend future interns to take initiative, to spot problems, find solutions, and help their team proactively. Everyone is welcoming and ready to support you. What's most important is to enjoy your work and, with the skills you will acquire, create a positive impact and environment for others."

Her thoughtful advice reflects the leadership qualities she brought to the internship and serves as an excellent reminder that growth comes from being willing to contribute, learn, and support those around you.

Looking Ahead

As Keila prepares to begin high school, she carries with her new knowledge of plant care, practical workplace experience, and meaningful memories built alongside the Nemas Gardens team. Her passion for learning, combined with her dedication and positive attitude, will undoubtedly serve her well in the many opportunities ahead.

Keila's story reminds us that internships are about much more than learning new skills, they're about building confidence, discovering new passions, and developing the character needed to make a positive impact wherever life leads.

Congratulations, Keila, on successfully completing your internship with Nemas Gardens! We are grateful for your hard work and wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.