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Youth Advisory Board

Mahaela Sleeper

MAHAELA SLEEPER

Mahaela Sleeper (She/Her) lives on the Suncoast of Florida. She is a junior at Citrus High School and a freshman at the College of Central florida. While she has had many interests and passions, science has always been the end-goal. She is currently working towards graduating High School with her associates in biology, but plans on later majoring in zoology and genetics. Mahaela is particularly interested in studying genetics in relation to the conservation of endangered keystone species. When her nose is not buried in a book, Mahaela can be found acting on the stage, playing in band, hanging with friends, and taking care of her bird Hamlet. She attended WYSE 2023 as a student and is honored to continue to keep in contact with the community. 

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Youth Advisory Board

Malia Ornelas

MALIA ORNELAS

Malia is a Junior at H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Virginia. They love the arts, specifically visual arts, and are a member of a handful of music and art programs in their are. In their free time they can be found either painting, listening to musicals, or volunteering with dogs and cats for a local animal rescue. They adore marine biology, and are always looking for more to learn, especially about killer whales. Malia had the best time as a delegate at WYSE in the summer of 2023, and is so excited to be on the Youth Advisory Board to help with the planning of WYSE 2024.

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Youth Advisory Board

Gavin Southwell

GAVIN SOUTHWELL

Gavin Southwell is a 2023 WYSE alumni and a senior at East Chapel Hill High School. He plans on majoring in conservation biology in college. In his free time he plays soccer, volunteers at the Piedmont Wildlife Center, and helps organize teen science cafes as a member on the teen advisory board at Morehead Planetarium. Gavin’s most memorable experience from WYSE was seeing the Cheetahs being rehabilitated at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

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Youth Advisory Board

Justin French

JUSTIN FRENCH

Justin French (he/him) is a senior at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. He is currently the Vice President of his school’s Nature Clubs and a captain of the swim team. In college, Justin plans to major in environmental engineering. He attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and is ecstatic to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board.

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Youth Advisory Board

Suzy Samayoa

SUZY SAMAYOA

Suzy Samayoa is a junior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland where she is on a diploma pathway for Social Justice and contributes to the curriculum development for the environmental justice course. She has a passion for geoscience and a particular interest in arctic wildlife. Suzy attended WYSE during the summer of 2023 and is excited to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board. 

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Youth Advisory Board

Jackson Howell

JACKSON HOWELL

Jackson is a Junior at D W Daniel High School. He participates on the Varsity Football and Soccer teams, Beta Club and Science National Honors Society, as well as the concert band. He is passionate about the ocean especially sharks and their conservation.  He attended WYSE 2023 and loved the experience and this is where his passion for conservation flourished. He is excited to serve as a part of the Youth Advisory Board for the upcoming summer. 

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Youth Advisory Board

Vienna Gurev

VIENNA GUREV

Vienna Gurev was born and raised near Philadelphia in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. She is currently a senior at Kennett High School and is preparing to study science in college. She is an avid reader, musician, and artist, and is passionate about environmentalism and social justice. Vienna is dedicated to a myriad of interests including music theory, poetry, foreign language, sustainability, computer science, photography, travel, and community service. 

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Youth Advisory Board

Lukas Levy

LUKAS LEVY

Lukas Levy is a senior at the Middle College at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. At school, Lukas is the historian for the National English Honor Society and participates in research with one of the university’s professors regarding animal behavior and schooling fish. He also volunteers at the wildlife rehabilitation center, Walden’s Puddle. When not doing these things, Lukas likes to play video games, watch YouTube, and spend time with his pet ferrets. He attended WYSE in 2023 and is very excited to be a part of it again.

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Youth Advisory Board

Samantha Ranus

SAMANTHA RANUS

Samantha is currently a Junior at Paradise Honors High School. She has grown up camping and exploring the National Park System. This has contributed to her desire to make changes and be involved in protecting the environment. In college she plans to study climate science, oceanography, and geology. She is excited for her future career as a change maker.

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Youth Advisory Board

Anna Warbington

ANNA WARBINGTON

Anna Warbington is a junior at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL where she participates in basketball and soccer.  She is also a member of The National Honor Society, Cougar Climb, an athletic leadership club, and student council.  Outside of school Anna plays club soccer, works a part time job, and spends her time volunteering at Anderson Humane, a rescue organization for cats, dogs, and wildlife rehabilitation. Anna attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and had an amazing experience.  She is excited to continue being a part of WYSE and the youth advisory board.