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Author: Allison Dodson

Nicole Johnson

NICOLE JOHNSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Nicole is a senior at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield, Missouri. She is actively involved in the Conservation Leadership Corps of Missouri, Future Farmers of America, and has volunteered at the Dickerson Park Zoo for over four years. Nicole is passionate about wildlife conservation, sustainability efforts, and continuing to grow through leadership and environmental involvement. In the future, Nicole hopes to pursue veterinary medicine and work with exotic wildlife in Africa. Nicole is excited to be an intern for the 2026 WYSE program and hopes to help delegates feel welcome while learning as much as possible through the experience.

NICOLE JOHNSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Nicole is a senior at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield, Missouri. She is actively involved in the Conservation Leadership Corps of Missouri, Future Farmers of America, and has volunteered at the Dickerson Park Zoo for over four years. Nicole is passionate about wildlife conservation, sustainability efforts, and continuing to grow through leadership and environmental involvement. In the future, Nicole hopes to pursue veterinary medicine and work with exotic wildlife in Africa. Nicole is excited to be an intern for the 2026 WYSE program and hopes to help delegates feel welcome while learning as much as possible through the experience.

Madison Bainbridge

MADISON BAINBRIDGE

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Madison Bainbridge, a senior from the Milwaukee area, will be pursuing her degree in environmental sciences and policy at University of Minnesota Twin Cities in fall of 2026. Madison interns at the Milwaukee County Zoo as a data analyst, serves as a leader in the high school marching band, and runs the creative writing club. She is elated to join the youth advisory board to help inspire other young individuals to take conservation action and work towards a better tomorrow.
 

MADISON BAINBRIDGE

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Madison Bainbridge, a senior from the Milwaukee area, will be pursuing her degree in environmental sciences and policy at University of Minnesota Twin Cities in fall of 2026. Madison interns at the Milwaukee County Zoo as a data analyst, serves as a leader in the high school marching band, and runs the creative writing club. She is elated to join the youth advisory board to help inspire other young individuals to take conservation action and work towards a better tomorrow.

Lucy Safir

LUCY SAFIR

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Lucy Safir is a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She is a member of the Sunrise Movement, a Sustainable Project Leader at her school, and engages in aquatic research at UNC-Chapel Hill. In her free time, she loves reading the Legendborn Cycle, running, swimming, taking care of plants with her roommate, and spending time with her sisters and cats. Lucy attended WYSE during the 2025 session and cannot wait to help make the summer of 2026 spectacular!

KRISTINA GALCHENKO

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Lucy Safir is a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She is a member of the Sunrise Movement, a Sustainable Project Leader at her school, and engages in aquatic research at UNC-Chapel Hill. In her free time, she loves reading the Legendborn Cycle, running, swimming, taking care of plants with her roommate, and spending time with her sisters and cats. Lucy attended WYSE during the 2025 session and cannot wait to help make the summer of 2026 spectacular!

Kristina Galchenko

KRISTINA GALCHENKO

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Kristina Galchenko was a delegate in 2025. She loves animals and plans to work as an animal behaviorist in the future. Kristina enjoys horseback riding and playing the violin.

KRISTINA GALCHENKO

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Kristina Galchenko was a delegate in 2025. She loves animals and plans to work as an animal behaviorist in the future. Kristina enjoys horseback riding and playing the violin.

Juniper Falterman

JUNIPER FALTERMAN

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Juniper is a current senior at Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. Juniper is passionate about environmental science, shown through her volunteer work with New Orleans Audubon Society, and other local organizations. She is VP of her school’s Green Club, is an active member of her school’s Key Club, and plays soccer. In her free time, she enjoys snorkeling, hiking, and anything outdoors. Juniper is extremely grateful and excited to come back to WYSE as an intern!

JUNIPER FALTERMAN

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Juniper is a current senior at Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. Juniper is passionate about environmental science, shown through her volunteer work with New Orleans Audubon Society, and other local organizations. She is VP of her school’s Green Club, is an active member of her school’s Key Club, and plays soccer. In her free time, she enjoys snorkeling, hiking, and anything outdoors. Juniper is extremely grateful and excited to come back to WYSE as an intern!

Hiraeth Dorn

HIRAETH DORN

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

A senior and 2025 WYSE alumni from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Hiraeth Dorn is deeply passionate about avian research and hopes to attend veterinary school to specialize in wildlife care. He founded a school-wide organization that transforms recycled materials into enrichment toys for local shelter animals. His time with the WYSE program was a transformative experience that strengthened his commitment to science and community. Outside of academics, Hiraeth enjoys reading, hiking, climbing at his local gym, and caring for his three birds. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, he is eager to help make WYSE 2026 an even more inspiring experience.

GRANT YONKERS

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

A senior and 2025 WYSE alumni from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Hiraeth Dorn is deeply passionate about avian research and hopes to attend veterinary school to specialize in wildlife care. He founded a school-wide organization that transforms recycled materials into enrichment toys for local shelter animals. His time with the WYSE program was a transformative experience that strengthened his commitment to science and community. Outside of academics, Hiraeth enjoys reading, hiking, climbing at his local gym, and caring for his three birds. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, he is eager to help make WYSE 2026 an even more inspiring experience.

Grant Yonkers

GRANT YONKERS

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Grant Yonkers is a high school senior from Ohio who is planning on attending college beginning in the Fall of 2026-2027 school year. He plans on majoring in zoology while still be involved in extracurriculars and the community. He is always ready to help others and the environment, and strives to make the world a better place. In the future he plans to move forward in the career of a zoologist, hoping to do field research and conservation.

GRANT YONKERS

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Grant Yonkers is a high school senior from Ohio who is planning on attending college beginning in the Fall of 2026-2027 school year. He plans on majoring in zoology while still be involved in extracurriculars and the community. He is always ready to help others and the environment, and strives to make the world a better place. In the future he plans to move forward in the career of a zoologist, hoping to do field research and conservation.

Emma Gabara

EMMA GABARA

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Emma Gabara is a senior at Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia. She volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium, where she educates guests about sustainable practices and marine conservation. Emma also serves as the Georgia State President for FIRST Robotics where she combines her environmental knowledge and technical robotics skills to drive innovation in marine robotics. She attended WYSE 2025 and is honored and excited to serve as a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

EMMA GABARA

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Emma Gabara is a senior at Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia. She volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium, where she educates guests about sustainable practices and marine conservation. Emma also serves as the Georgia State President for FIRST Robotics where she combines her environmental knowledge and technical robotics skills to drive innovation in marine robotics. She attended WYSE 2025 and is honored and excited to serve as a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

Emerson Smith

EMERSON SMITH

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Emerson Smith is a recent high school graduate with a strong passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship. Growing up surrounded by nature, Emerson developed a deep appreciation for ecosystems through activities like fly fishing and gardening. These experiences have inspired a commitment to preserving natural environments and promoting sustainable practices. In the fall, Emerson will begin pursuing a degree in Environmental Horticulture at Montana State University, with the goal of deepening knowledge in plant science and land management. With a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning, Emerson is excited to make WYSE 2026 as amazing as possible!

EMERSON SMITH

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Emerson Smith is a recent high school graduate with a strong passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship. Growing up surrounded by nature, Emerson developed a deep appreciation for ecosystems through activities like fly fishing and gardening. These experiences have inspired a commitment to preserving natural environments and promoting sustainable practices. In the fall, Emerson will begin pursuing a degree in Environmental Horticulture at Montana State University, with the goal of deepening knowledge in plant science and land management. With a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning, Emerson is excited to make WYSE 2026 as amazing as possible!

Elizabeth Leotaud

ELIZABETH LEOTAUD

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Elizabeth Leotaud is a high school senior with a passion for art, insects, and arachnids. She can usually be found outside looking for bugs or arachnids and drawing them. Currently, she plans to study entomology and research insects and arachnids. As an attendee of WYSE in 2025, Elizabeth is excited to come back and help make the experience even more enjoyable for others. She is extremely honored to be a part of the YAB this year.

ELIZABETH LEOTAUD

WYSE Alum 2025, YAB

Elizabeth Leotaud is a high school senior with a passion for art, insects, and arachnids. She can usually be found outside looking for bugs or arachnids and drawing them. Currently, she plans to study entomology and research insects and arachnids. As an attendee of WYSE in 2025, Elizabeth is excited to come back and help make the experience even more enjoyable for others. She is extremely honored to be a part of the YAB this year.