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PROFILE: Joseph Burnett traveled the world for
eight years as a United States Marine. In 1999, he was selected
as one of two members from his battalion to deploy to East Timor
in support of the United Nations. At that first international
posting, he was amazed at the cultural diversity he observed
floating 100 yards offshore. “Samoan men rocked the boat
with each step, the Filipino security guards practiced Kung-Fu
in the hold, and the Korean army played the music of the Beach
Boys on the helicopter pad. From then on I was dedicated to seeing as much of the world as I could.”
He went on to prestigious postings at US embassies and missions around the world. During that time, while working for the State Department as a Marine Security Guard, he began to record his travels through the lens of photography, traveling from the deserts of Kuwait to the temples of Egypt to the seething roar of India’s great cities. Joseph has since returned to the classroom, bringing with him that attitude of victory which the Marines call “Esprit de Corps.”
INSPIRATION: Joseph discovered his love of photography in the ruins of an elementary school in East Timor that had been razed to the ground by the Indonesian militia. He watched as a combat photographer raised his camera to “stop the moment,” capturing a boy sitting on a cement wall watching the reconstruction of his school. The resulting image, and the story behind it, have resonated with Joseph in the nine years since and continue to inspire him.
ASPIRATION: Joseph plans to pursue a degree in international relations and economics with a focus on development.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Joseph taught and guided other students as an instructional intern at Highline Community College. He has also been a Big Brother and volunteer teacher. He volunteered with Toys for Tots in Jerusalem and Santiago, and with Habitat for Humanity in Chile.
ACCOLADES: Awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his support of the U.S. mission in East Timor, Joseph is also a recipient of the Highline Foundation Director’s Scholarship, the Martin Family Foundation Scholarship and The Shirley B. Gordon Award. He graduated at the top of his class in Marine Security Guard School, which qualified him to serve US embassies overseas.
INTERESTING FACT: Joseph has held exhibitions of his photography in Jerusalem and Santiago, Chile.
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