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Faculty Advisor

Allyson Ponn

Allyson Ponn

Faculty Advisor

Allyson Ponn is currently the Education and Program Support Specialist with one of Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. While studying at James Madison University, she got involved in local food production and conservation. This led to a career focused on environmental education where she has worked in school and community gardens, food access, agriculture, and K-12 science curriculum development. In her current position, she leads all education and outreach programming on behalf of the district and works with agricultural landowners and homeowners to install best management practices for local soil and water quality. Outside of her work, she manages her local farmers market and community garden. Allyson is also an avid gardener, loves to cook and spend time outside with her husband and son.

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Intern Youth Advisory Board

Vienna Gurev

VIENNA GUREV

Intern

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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Intern Youth Advisory Board

Isabella Klaus

ISABELLA KLAUS

Intern

Isabella Klaus is a senior at Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, VA, who participates in many activities, including cross country, swimming, track, and lacrosse, as well as multiple honor societies. As a volunteer for her local aquarium, Isabella has put over 300 hours into the marine science field as a docent , talking to guests about the animals and their habitats. Going into college in the following year, Isabella’s love of the outdoors and the water has inspired her plans to study marine biology and pre-veterinary studies, in the hopes of working for an organization like NOAA or Ocearch some day. Isabella attended WYSE as a delegate in 2023, and is delighted to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board this year. 

Categories
Intern Youth Advisory Board

Elijah Birch

ELIJAH BIRCH

Intern

Elijah Birch is a student from Rootstown highschool in Ohio. He participates in many activities including band, bowling, drama club, quizbowl, baseball. He also participates in college credit plus programs offered at his school along with AP classes. He wants to go to college for enviornmental science when he graduates high school.

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Counselor Uncategorized

Chrissy Wiedemann

CHRISSY WIEDEMANN

Student Support

As a teacher for 18 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and Journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Va. Chrissy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University. A proud Patriot, she connected to an international community there and developed her love of writing. As part of Patriot Nation, she traveled to Indianapolis in 2006 to watch the Cinderella team head to the Final Four. (Florida continues to be her least favorite team.) No English teacher has loads of free time during the school year, but when she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC. Summers on the beach and traveling to other countries are also favorites of hers. Chrissy is excited to return to Mason for WYSE and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!

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Counselor Uncategorized

Kelly Cardew

KELLY CARDEW

Student Support

Kelly Cardew is an Assistant Director of Admissions at George Mason University. She received her B.A. in English from Newberry College in 2017, worked in their admissions office upon graduation, and came to Mason in 2018. During her time at Mason, Kelly has recruited and worked with prospective students across Virginia, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Rhode Island, and currently oversees the office’s telecounseling team. A college soccer player, she enjoys being the liaison to the Mason Athletics department, working with recruited student-athletes and getting out on a soccer field, herself, in her free time. Kelly is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Higher Education from George Mason and is excited to continue her career in this field.

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Photographer

Tyler Rubin

TYLER RUBIN
Videographer

 Tyler Rubin is the Assistant Director: Broadcast and Video Production for George Mason Athletics. Rubin has spent the last 10 years in the video and sports journalism field in college and the pros. A graduate of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a degree in Sports Journalism, Rubin has worked for ASU’s Sun Devil Athletics, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and George Mason Athletics.

Categories
Junior Faculty Advisor Staff

Camille-Kidwell

CAMILLE KIDWELL

Junior Faculty Advisor

Camille has always been passionate about sustainability, beginning as a young child with visits to local outdoor spaces. In 2019, she co-founded GreenTeenz RVA, a youth-led nonprofit organization based in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia that works to provide educational and volunteer opportunities to Richmond youth. She also was a delegate during WYSE 2021, which further fueled her passions. Now a rising sophomore at Loyola University Chicago majoring in Environmental Policy, her dedication to solving environmental problems has never wavered. She looks forward to meeting everyone and growing together at WYSE 2023!

Categories
Junior Faculty Advisor Staff

Nick Moscufo

NICK MOSCUFO

Junior Faculty Advisor

Nicholas Moscufo is a freshman at George Mason University, majoring in public  administration and minoring in data analysis and economics. He hopes to work in public  policy analysis at a government agency. WYSE sparked his interest in public policy  and environmental justice. Throughout his freshman year, he has researched economic disincentives and how they could help alleviate the excess social costs of environmental injustice. Nick has many hobbies including chess, cooking, martial arts, and songwriting.  He participated in the Washington Youth Sumit on the Environment in his junior year of high school and has been working for the Washington Scholars Program as an intern since he  got to college. He’s excited to share his love for animals, ecology, and policy with the next generation of college students!

Categories
Junior Faculty Advisor Staff

Juliana Yi

JULIANA YI

Junior Faculty Advisor

Juliana Yi is a rising sophomore at East Stroudsburg University, majoring in Nursing. She loves gardening and spending time outdoors; whether that’s snowboarding in the winter or hiking in the summer. Her favorite pastimes are making ceramics, crocheting, reading, and baking. Juliana attended WYSE during summer of 2021 and is stoked to be a member of the WYSE staff.