103-Year-Old Grandmother Becomes Junior Park Ranger at Grand Canyon

A 103-year-old showed that it’s never too late to follow your dreams when she became a park ranger at the Grand Canyon National Park. 

Rose Torphy was inducted as a junior ranger while vacationing at the park in January with her daughter, Cheri Stoneburner. The Grand Canyon celebrates its 100th year as a designated national park next week, making Torphy three years older than the park. 

“It’s absolutely breathtaking, it’s so beautiful,” Torphy said. 

The great-great-grandmother of 10 told "Good Morning America" that she "started talking to people about the junior ranger program because it teaches kids to protect the canyon."

"My parents taught me to care for the land, but not all the kids have that," she added. 

Torphy's daughter said she has become somewhat of a spokesperson for the park and never takes off her ranger pin.

Torphy knows the job is important and is hoping the program continues to thrive. 

“I am so happy someone is watching over it so that my great-great-grandchildren can visit it someday too,” Torphy said.

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