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Category: Staff

Heath Hines

HEATH HINES

Faculty Advisor

Heath H. Hines is an environmental science educator and environmental professional with more than 25 years of experience in education, watershed conservation, environmental compliance, water and wastewater treatment, and STEM outreach. He currently teaches Environmental Science and Anatomy at the Northwest Area School District and also teaches Physics, Earth and Space Science, and STEM courses for the Wilkes University Upward Bound program.

Heath holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg. He is the recipient of the National Science Teachers Association Maitland P. Simmons New Teacher Award and has been recognized nationally for innovative STEM and environmental education initiatives.

Passionate about experiential learning, Heath focuses on creating hands-on environmental education opportunities that connect students with conservation, watershed science, and outdoor learning experiences.

HEATH HINES

Faculty Advisor

Heath H. Hines is an environmental science educator and environmental professional with more than 25 years of experience in education, watershed conservation, environmental compliance, water and wastewater treatment, and STEM outreach. He currently teaches Environmental Science and Anatomy at the Northwest Area School District and also teaches Physics, Earth and Space Science, and STEM courses for the Wilkes University Upward Bound program.

Heath holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg. He is the recipient of the National Science Teachers Association Maitland P. Simmons New Teacher Award and has been recognized nationally for innovative STEM and environmental education initiatives.

Passionate about experiential learning, Heath focuses on creating hands-on environmental education opportunities that connect students with conservation, watershed science, and outdoor learning experiences.

Dylan Buchanan

DYLAN BUCHANAN

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2023

Dylan is a student at George Mason University studying biology and data science. Originally from San Antonio, TX, he was a six-time state competitor for the National FFA Organization in high school and now spends his time enjoying art, music, and video games. Dylan can’t wait to meet the new Delegates this summer! 

DYLAN BUCHANAN

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2023

Dylan is a student at George Mason University studying biology and data science. Originally from San Antonio, TX, he was a six-time state competitor for the National FFA Organization in high school and now spends his time enjoying art, music, and video games. Dylan can’t wait to meet the new Delegates this summer! 

Brooke Kozeniewski

BROOKE KOZENIEWSKI

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2024

Brooke Kozeniewski is a rising sophomore studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation student at the University of Delaware. She attended WYSE in 2024 as a high school junior, and she was in the maroon group. Brooke’s favorite part of WYSE was the field visit day when she visited Maryland Zoo to learn about animal training and behavior! Brooke’s favorite animal is a capybara!

BROOKE KOZENIEWSKI

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2024

Brooke Kozeniewski is a rising sophomore studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation student at the University of Delaware. She attended WYSE in 2024 as a high school junior, and she was in the maroon group. Brooke’s favorite part of WYSE was the field visit day when she visited Maryland Zoo to learn about animal training and behavior! Brooke’s favorite animal is a capybara!

Mariella Taddonio

MARIELLA TADDONIO

Junior Faculty Advisor, Photo, Washington Scholars Program

Mariella Taddonio is a rising junior at Saint Mary’s College, where she majors in Communication Studies and Social Work, with a minor in Journalism, Ethics, Democracy at Notre Dame. At college, she is the photo editor for the Observer, the student-run newspaper at Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame. Mariella attended WJMC in 2023 and is very excited to be back. 

MARIELLA TADDONIO

Junior Faculty Advisor, Photo, Washington Scholars Program

Mariella Taddonio is a rising junior at Saint Mary’s College, where she majors in Communication Studies and Social Work, with a minor in Journalism, Ethics, Democracy at Notre Dame. At college, she is the photo editor for the Observer, the student-run newspaper at Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame. Mariella attended WJMC in 2023 and is very excited to be back. 

John Boal

JOHN BOAL

Photographer, Washington Scholars Program

John Boal is an independent photographer based in Virginia, between the capital cities of Richmond and Washington, D.C., specializing in portraits and creating unique storytelling images and videos that cut through the crowded media landscape. His work has been honored by The White House News Photographers Association, The National Press Photographers Association, and The Virginia Press Association.  John Boal is a past president of the DC Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMPDC) and also holds an active membership in the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). Serving editorial, commercial, advertising, corporate and education clients.

JOHN BOAL

Photographer, Washington Scholars Program

John Boal is an independent photographer based in Virginia, between the capital cities of Richmond and Washington, D.C., specializing in portraits and creating unique storytelling images and videos that cut through the crowded media landscape. His work has been honored by The White House News Photographers Association, The National Press Photographers Association, and The Virginia Press Association.  John Boal is a past president of the DC Chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMPDC) and also holds an active membership in the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). Serving editorial, commercial, advertising, corporate and education clients.

Allison Orellana-Deras

ALLSON ORELLANA-DERAS

Advance Team

Allison Orellana-Deras is a member of the Advance Team for the WYSE and WJMC summer programs. She is currently an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. She is on the executive board for Latin Link, a Latin Organization at VT and also a member of Pi Beta Phi. Outside of her studies and work, Allison enjoys practicing yoga, blasting music in her car, and thrifting.

ALLISON ORELLANA-DERAS

Advance Team

Allison Orellana-Deras is a member of the Advance Team for the WYSE and WJMC summer programs. She is currently an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. She is on the executive board for Latin Link, a Latin Organization at VT and also a member of Pi Beta Phi. Outside of her studies and work, Allison enjoys practicing yoga, blasting music in her car, and thrifting.

Erica Villareal

ERICA VILLAREAL

Faculty Advisor

Erica Villarreal is an environmental educator, youth leadership advisor, and MBA candidate based in Houston, Texas. With over five years of experience in conservation-focused education, she designs and leads programs that connect students to real-world environmental challenges through service, sustainability, and civic engagement. Erica serves as a science teacher and advisor to student leadership organizations, where she has helped coordinate thousands of volunteer hours and community-based projects. Her work has been recognized at the state and national level, including being named the 2026 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She has collaborated with organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Galveston Bay Foundation, and the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation to advance climate and environmental education initiatives. Erica is passionate about empowering youth voices to shape sustainable communities and future policy decisions.

 

ERICA VILLAREAL

Faculty Advisor

Erica Villarreal is an environmental educator, youth leadership advisor, and MBA candidate based in Houston, Texas. With over five years of experience in conservation-focused education, she designs and leads programs that connect students to real-world environmental challenges through service, sustainability, and civic engagement. Erica serves as a science teacher and advisor to student leadership organizations, where she has helped coordinate thousands of volunteer hours and community-based projects. Her work has been recognized at the state and national level, including being named the 2026 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. She has collaborated with organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Galveston Bay Foundation, and the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation to advance climate and environmental education initiatives. Erica is passionate about empowering youth voices to shape sustainable communities and future policy decisions. 

Jennifer Cassidy

JENNIFER CASSIDY

Faculty Advisor

Jennifer Cassidy is currently a third-grade teacher in Guilford County, North Carolina; this is her 17th year as an elementary educator. She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University to obtain her Batchelor’s degree in Biological Sciences.  She went on to receive her Teaching License at Guilford College, a Master of Education at Elon University, and is Nationally Board Certified.  Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors whether it be sitting on a patio with friends or finding the peace of a walk or short run outside.  She values the idea of continuous growth and appreciates the opportunities to learn from others and through new experiences.

JENNIFER CASSIDY

Faculty Advisor

Jennifer Cassidy is currently a third-grade teacher in Guilford County, North Carolina; this is her 17th year as an elementary educator. She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University to obtain her Batchelor’s degree in Biological Sciences.  She went on to receive her Teaching License at Guilford College, a Master of Education at Elon University, and is Nationally Board Certified.  Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors whether it be sitting on a patio with friends or finding the peace of a walk or short run outside.  She values the idea of continuous growth and appreciates the opportunities to learn from others and through new experiences.

Madelyn Honeycutt

MADELYN HONEYCUTT

Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alumna 2017

Madelyne is a WYSE 2017 alumna! She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Anthropology with a focus on primatology. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC where she is a high school science teacher. Madelyne loves reading, snuggling her dog and cats, watching documentaries, and gardening! 

MADELYN HONEYCUTT

Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2017

Madelyne is a WYSE 2017 alumni! She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Anthropology with a focus on primatology. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC where she is a high school science teacher. Madelyne loves reading, snuggling her dog and cats, watching documentaries, and gardening! 

YanSi Perez

YANSI PEREZ

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2023

YanSi is from Opelika, Alabama and is a rising sophomore at Southern Union State Community College. She is majoring in Veterinary Technology to pursue a career as a Veterinary Technician and wants to work with wildlife and exotics/small animals. Attending WYSE summer of 2023 helped her to solidify what exactly she wanted to  pursue and is forever grateful for the amazing experience she had. While she is not at school or working, she is either volunteering at her local animal shelter, going out on walks with her dog, or watching shows and movies.

YANSI PEREZ

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2023

YanSi is from Opelika, Alabama and is a rising sophomore at Southern Union State Community College. She is majoring in Veterinary Technology to pursue a career as a Veterinary Technician and wants to work with wildlife and exotics/small animals. Attending WYSE summer of 2023 helped her to solidify what exactly she wanted to  pursue and is forever grateful for the amazing experience she had. While she is not at school or working, she is either volunteering at her local animal shelter, going out on walks with her dog, or watching shows and movies.