BOB COLVIN
Bob Colvin is a rising senior Biology major with a track in Marine Bio at University of Central Florida with large interests in anything ecological or scientific. His biggest draws right now are to entomology and astronomy. He is also an avid chess player.
LAURA FRANK
Laura Frank is currently a junior at Tennessee Tech University, in Cookeville, Tennessee. She attended WYSE in the Summer of 2019. She has always had a passion for animals, and she hopes to help in animal conservation one day. Laura has her own business, Fur Babies, where she takes care of animals while families are away. Guinea pigs have been her favorite clients so far. Also, Laura interns at her church, where she is a youth leader. Laura’s hobbies include getting coffee, spike ball, and petting any animal she sees. If you see a 5’2 girl running around, it’s not a child, it’s Laura! She hopes to help you all have an experience that you will never forget! She can not wait to meet you all and have the best Summer with you!
BEN RICH
Ben Rich is an AP Environmental Science and Physics teacher at the Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) in Montclair, NJ. After earning a BA in Physics at Colgate University he earned a MEd at the University of Maryland. As the Sustainability Coordinator and Green Roof Director at MKA, he leads both students and faculty in making the school more environmentally friendly and led the school to earn the Green Flag Award from Eco-Schools USA twice. During each summer from 2013-2018 he traversed the US on an electric motorcycle making Youtube videos to encourage quicker EV adoption. Now he drives a Tesla Model 3 across the US, with his latest trip traveling 21,000 miles in 2 months. He is the Co-Chair of the Montclair Environmental Commission, leading projects to reduce the carbon footprint of the town. In his free time he hikes mountains, paddle boards on rivers, and swing dances in NYC.
LUKE BERTAUX
Luke Bertaux is a 2022 graduate from The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Luke earned a BS in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Cybersecurity. During his time on campus, Luke has interned with a sustainable development coffee firm in Panama, worked in both on-campus housing and the Office of Admission, and served as a peer tutor. Luke attended WYSE in 2017 where he developed a passion for sustainable and urban development, made lifelong friends, and traveled alone away from home for the first time. In September, Luke will be moving to Spain to pursue a Fulbright grant where he will teach at the University of Málaga.
LAUREN NOVORSKA
Lauren Novorska is majoring in Ecosystem Science and Policy and Anthropology and minoring in Sustainable Business and Climate Science and Policy at the University of Miami. She is pursuing a career in environmental policy and education and is passionate about human-wildlife conflict, climate change, and educating students about ecological issues. She is an Everglades Coalition Conference scholarship recipient, serves as the President for the Pi Epsilon National Environmental Science Honor Society, works with the University of Miami Law School Environmental Justice Clinic Shifting Power Course, and is a Lead Educator and Mentor Volunteer for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Lauren’s experience as a delegate, intern, and JFA at WYSE has been life-changing, and she hopes to make the conference an incredible experience for other delegates!
ALLEN YUAN
Allen Yuan (he/him) is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, where he is a recent graduate of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity Living Learning Program in the Honors College. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Management, which he hopes to use to aid in creating a sustainable future that is not only environmentally-sound but also successfully serves every demographic. His interest in environmental science began with a childhood obsession with cetaceans, which has unwaveringly transferred to the present. Allen’s hobbies include baking, figure skating, sitting out in the sun, and hanging out with friends. He attended WYSE in 2021 and served on the Youth Advisory Board after the program. He returned as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2023 and is excited to do it again this summer! He hopes to help make WYSE 2024 as special and valuable of an experience as it was for him.
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 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 holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Health and a minor in Public Policy and Management, as well as a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from 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.
