Passion preserves History.
On a quiet long stretch of Route 66, every weathered sign and aging landmark hold tales that most motorists and cars breeze past without a second glance. Standing beside Ms. Robyn Keefe during a Historic preservation event, I realized that these places were more than relics of America’s “Mother Road”—they were living reminders of the people, culture, and history that shaped our communities. As an urban planner for the City of Wildwood, Ms. Robyn taught me that preserving history is not about protecting old buildings but about protecting the stories that define who we are.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside Ms. Robyn as a Youth Commissioner on the Historic Preservation Commission(HPC) for the City of Wildwood, Missouri. Her mentorship encouraged me to become an active member of the Route 66 Revitalization Committee, where I worked to share the significance of Route 66 with students across Wildwood by presenting on Route 66 at Elementary and Middle schools, and participated in the design of the Route 66 Roadside park.
At our Monthly HPC meeting, every commissioner shows great interest and cares deeply about the details of Route 66 initiatives. It’s more than a passion; it’s an emotion for all the commissioners. Ms. Robyn treated my ideas with the same respect as those of experienced commissioners, giving me confidence to believe that young people could make a meaningful impact on our city.
I spoke with fellow students about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and helped connect younger generations to the stories behind the landmarks they pass every day. Through these experiences, I learned that leadership is not measured by age but by the willingness to inspire others.
To expand outreach, I developed a website and mobile app for the Historic Preservation Commission to make local history more accessible. I also interviewed young residents and shared their perspectives through social media, helping demonstrate that historic preservation is not just for historians—it belongs to everyone. Ms. Robyn empowered me to identify problems and trusted me to create solutions. That trust challenged me to think creatively and take initiative. I received a City of Wildwood Proclamation recognizing my contributions, which was an incredible honor, but it represented something much greater than an award. It reflected the confidence, purpose, and sense of responsibility that Ms. Robyn had helped me develop.
Ms. Robyn Keefe inspired me not simply by preserving America’s history, but by investing in its future through young people. She showed me that meaningful leadership begins by believing in others before they believe in themselves. Because of her mentorship, I now strive to preserve not only places and stories, but also opportunities for the next generation to make a lasting difference.
Watching her devote herself to protecting our community’s history inspired me to pursue my own passions with the same level of dedication.