Category: Youth Advisory Board

Deja Watts is a senior at Nederland High School in Nederland, Texas. She hopes to either attend the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science or become a Sea Aggie at Texas A&M at Galveston for a double major in marine science and marine biology. She was a 2018 youth delegate on the maroon team and has always had a passion for the ocean. She has been an active student throughout high school and hopes to bring more awareness to society’s impact on the marine ecosystems of the world. Deja enjoyed her time as a 2018 delegate and is excited to be returning this summer.

Ben Feld is a senior at Fasman Yeshiva High School in Skokie, Illinois. He has been the student representative for his class for two years and an Honor Roll student for three years. In addition to spending free time with his family and two recuse cats, he volunteers at a local food bank and an animal hospital. Ben’s attendance in WYSE, in the summer of 2018, exposed him to new aspects in his field and fueled his interest in conservation. Ben plans to go to a four year college to study Zoology.

Emily Maldonado is a senior at Vista Ridge High School in Austin, Texas and is majoring in Environmental Engineering at Texas Tech University. She attended WYSE during her junior year, and it was a life changing experience. She made so many new friends that she still stays in touch with, and she visited many interesting places in Washington, DC. She loved it so much that she is back as a member of the Youth Advisory Board to make more memories and hopefully help more students have the same life changing experience as she did.

Erin Hocraffer is a Junior at Woodrow Wilson High in Portland, Oregon. She was inspired and made lots of friends through the WYSE 2018 program and the add on weekend at the Smithsonian School of Conservation. She likes to do technical theater in school, she has been lead costumer and is currently running business. She enjoys spending free time with her two lovely cats, Finn and Romeo. She plans on majoring in Zoology or biology.

Jacob Robinson currently attends North Harford High School in Pylesville, Maryland. He volunteers at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center by leading small groups to take care of the different animals that they show there. He also likes to swim, read, take walks through the woods and play video games. Jacob plans to go to a six year college to study environmental law/policy once he completes high school.

Kari Traylor is currently a junior at Wakeland High School in Texas. She plays french horn in her school’s band and is a part of many of her school’s clubs and organizations, like DECA, the Environmental Conservation Organization, and National Honor Society. After high school, Kari plans to go to college and major in political science with a minor in environmental studies. She was a National Youth Delegate at WYSE 2018, and attending the summit helped shape and solidify her plans for the future.

Jordan is a junior at Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas, where she is a member of the varsity swim team and FFA. She also works as a lifeguard and is an intern at an equine veterinary clinic. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family, friends, and pets. She plans to major in biomedical sciences and become a veterinarian. Jordan loved her time at WYSE in 2018 where she was inspired to learn more about animal conservation and met many new friends from around the country.

Zachary is a senior at Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, Virginia. He is a captain of the cross country team, starting picture for baseball, and a member of the academic team. He also enjoys making crafts out of paracord. He plans to attend college and study environmental studies.

Katie is currently a senior at St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine, Florida. She attended the 2018 WYSE program and enjoyed her time there immensely. Katie is involved in various clubs within her school including, Recycling Club, High-Q, and Prayer Club. In college, she plans on double majoring in Business and Environmental Studies to someday have a career related to Environmental Policy.

Anja is currently a junior at Antigo High in Wisconsin. She enjoys working with animals and hopes to become a wildlife Veterinarian one day. She has also put together events to help raise money for Type One Diabetes Awareness. In her free time she enjoys singing, writing, being involved in the school musical and volunteering for a variety of organization. She hopes to give all the 2019 WYSE youth delegates the same amazing experience that she had last year.