Laurinburg native Candace Matthews, a rising junior at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., has shown how a combination of tenacity and determination has paid off in her quest for seasonal employment with the National Park Service.

"I applied for a summer internship position at Harper's Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia," Matthews said. "I wanted to work outside, and I wanted to do living history presentations. I just told them why I thought they should hire me, and I'm happy to say that they did."

Matthews not only landed a job position, but one with responsibilities over others as well.

"They will be putting me in charge of other interns," she said. "I guess I gave them a good enough argument for them to give me this type of position."

Candace's mother Norma is not surprised at her daughter's ability to convince others of her abilities and talents.

"Candace is a very 'take charge' type of person," her mother said. "This kind of job sounds like it is right up her field."

Candace will be working with Steve Lowe, a landscape architect at the park.

"We try to choose interns that display maturity, an ability to work with others, an interest in the outdoors, as well as those who are not afraid to ask questions," Lowe said. "Candace impressed us with her enthusiasm and her eagerness to work."

A history major, Candace believes that permanent employment with the National Park Service may be a likely career option following graduation.

"I plan to go to graduate school, but I'll probably stay in a government position," she said. "I'd love to work in a national park in Louisiana, or at one of the many parks out west."

Candace will be employed as an intern at Harper's Ferry National Historical Park beginning May 17 and continuing through August 17.