AARON MORTON
Aaron Morton is a rising sophomore at George Mason University studying environmental justice and minoring in conservation. He is on the executive board of GMU’s Young Democratic Socialists chapter and is also a Smithsonian Mason Scholar. He spent last semester studying environmental science in Costa Rica. In his free time, he loves birding and has seen over 230 species.
WILLIAM PICKARD
William Pickard is a rising senior at Pamlico County High School, where he serves as a Chief in the NJROTC, runs track and serves as Captain of the Drone Team. When William is not at school or at his part-time job, he enjoys sailing, playing basketball, reading, running or spending time with friends and family. William participated in WYSE during the summer of 2021 and is thrilled to be returning this summer as an Intern. He lives on the coast of North Carolina in Oriental, along the Inner Banks.
SAMANTHA FOOR
Samantha is a freshman at Youngstown State University, in Youngstown, Ohio. She attended WYSE in the summer of 2021, after her original summit in 2020 was canceled due to the world wide pandemic. During her free time, she likes to read, color and do research on The Amazon Rainforest. Samantha is extremely passionate about the preservation of wildlife and the world around us. At Youngstown State, she is pursuing a major in biology, with the hopes of someday being able to help with the conservation of animals and their habitats.
JAZMIN GOLDEN
Jazmin Golden is an environmental scientist at a consulting firm, supporting environmental condition proposals and other documentation for Army Reserve Centers across the U.S. Jazmin’s current focus includes environmental justice and education. She graduated with Honors from George Mason University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Health and a minor in Public Policy and Management. Jazmin is currently completing her Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University. During her undergraduate career, Jazmin also served as an on-campus tour guide and was a member of George Mason University’s Women’s Track and Field team as a 400-meter hurdler. Jazmin is also a 2014 WYSE alumna and former WYSE JFA. Outside of work and school, Jazmin enjoys running, watching/playing sports, and any outdoor activities.
ELIZABETH HOKE
Elizabeth Hoke earned her BS in Biology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Since attending WYSE herself in 2012, Elizabeth’s environmental experience has been split between public engagement and research. She spent her undergraduate years working at the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment where she facilitated student engagement with sustainability concepts via an annual concert, a film festival, and maintaining the Institute blog. Her undergraduate summers were spent doing a variety of environmental research, namely a behavioral toxicology project at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences and a soil microbiology analysis in Costa Rica with the Kean University School of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. More recently, she was a canoe guide with the National Parks Service, promoting conservation via recreation. She then completed a molecular microbiology research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health where she studied fungal meningitis, an infectious disease that is spreading more easily due to the changing climate. She currently does research at Whitman-Walker Institute, a Washington, D.C. community health clinic that operates at the intersection of social justice and public health. Off-hours, Elizabeth enjoys performing improv comedy, exploring the D.C. go-go scene, and baking.
KOBE MOSLEY
Kobe Mosley is a 2018 alumnus of the sister program to WYSE, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) and has previously worked on the staff for that program as an intern in 2019 and junior faculty advisor in 2022. He graduated from Butler University with a bachelor’s degree in sports media in 2023 and is working towards earning his master’s degree in sports journalism from Indiana University – Indianapolis this summer. After graduation, he plans to work as a McLendon Fellow for the Horizon League in Indianapolis. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing sports, listening to his favorite podcasts, and doing the daily Connections puzzle.
ASHLEY LARSON
Ashley attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference as a correspondent in 2018, returned as an intern in 2019, and has worked in various roles on the Advance Team for the last three summers! Ashley earned her B.S. in Sport and Performance Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2024 and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Applied Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. In her free time, Ashley enjoys watching the Denver Broncos, listening to Taylor Swift, and reading.
MELISSA MOORE
Melissa Moore is the Associate Director of Events and Programs for the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and serves as the Director of Logistics for the Washington Scholars Program. Melissa attended WSP’s Washington Journalism and Media Conference as a high school student and worked as a staff member for the programs throughout her undergraduate tenure. She went on to receive both her B.A. in Communication and Masters of Business Administration from Mason. She has worked in events for the Washington Capitals (and has a ring to prove it!) and a tech startup before returning to her alma mater. Melissa is dedicated to fostering meaningful experiences through impactful events!
LAURA SCUDDER
Laura Scudder is a senior at George Mason University majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and minoring in sustainability studies. She works for Mason’s student newspaper, Fourth Estate, and was the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the 2020-2021 academic year. This spring, she also worked as a reporting intern with Voice of America’s Student Union. Laura attended WJMC in 2017 and worked as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2019.
