Category: Youth Advisory Board

Kristina Galchenko was a delegate in 2025. She loves animals and plans to work as an animal behaviorist in the future. Kristina enjoys horseback riding and playing the violin.

Juniper Falterman is a Washington Youth Summit on the Environment Alum from Mandeville, Louisiana. She is excited about the opportunity to return to the WYSE program through the Youth Advisory Board. She is in her school’s Key Club, NHS, Green Club, and Youth and Government Debate Club. Juniper loves snorkeling, hiking, and anything outdoors.

A senior and 2025 WYSE alumni from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Hiraeth Dorn is deeply passionate about avian research and hopes to attend veterinary school to specialize in wildlife care. He founded a school-wide organization that transforms recycled materials into enrichment toys for local shelter animals. His time with the WYSE program was a transformative experience that strengthened his commitment to science and community. Outside of academics, Hiraeth enjoys reading, hiking, climbing at his local gym, and caring for his three birds. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, he is eager to help make WYSE 2026 an even more inspiring experience.

Grant Yonkers is a high school senior from Ohio who is planning on attending college beginning in the Fall of 2026-2027 school year. He plans on majoring in zoology while still be involved in extracurriculars and the community. He is always ready to help others and the environment, and strives to make the world a better place. In the future he plans to move forward in the career of a zoologist, hoping to do field research and conservation.

Emma Gabara is a senior at Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia. She volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium, where she educates guests about sustainable practices and marine conservation. Emma also serves as the Georgia State President for FIRST Robotics where she combines her environmental knowledge and technical robotics skills to drive innovation in marine robotics. She attended WYSE 2025 and is honored and excited to serve as a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

Emerson Smith is a senior at Bozeman High School, located in Bozeman, Montana. Emerson is an avid backpacker, fly fisherman, and gardener. In addition to his outdoor passions, Emerson is also a musician, with Euphonium as his main instrument. Emerson will be pursuing a degree in Plant Biology and Restoration Ecology at Montana State University in the fall of 2026. He is thrilled to help make WYSE 2026 as amazing as possible!

Elizabeth Leotaud is a high school senior with a passion for art, insects, and arachnids. She can usually be found outside looking for bugs or arachnids and drawing them. Currently, she plans to study entomology and research insects and arachnids. As an attendee of WYSE in 2025, Elizabeth is excited to come back and help make the experience even more enjoyable for others. She is extremely honored to be a part of the YAB this year.

Edgar is a senior at Warren Township High School. He is involved in a variety of clubs and activities, including the National Art Honor Society, his school’s marching, jazz, and concert bands, the international club, and the environmental club, where he often volunteers and participates in clean-ups. After attending WYSE in 2025, Edgar became deeply fascinated with not just the program but with studying life itself, inspiring him to pursue Biology in college. He is very excited to be part of the Youth Advisory Board and hopes to contribute well to the 2026 WYSE experience, along with providing input and ideas that will make all future delegates have an even more fun and memorable experience than last year.

Cora Toner lives in Ladera Ranch, California where she is a senior at Capistrano Valley High School. In school she is a class director in her school’s MUN program, the girls’ throwing team captain, and an avid artist. Outside of school she loves painting, reading, looking after her dog, and dancing. Cora was a delegate in WYSE 2025 and was part of the Silver group.

Chloe Levesque is a Senior at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who attended the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2025. Chloe is an active leader in her school as she serves as the Editor-in-Chief and Lead Photographer of The Yearbook, Senior Class President and Captain of the defending champion Battle of the Books team. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors, reading and photography. Chloe manages her own photography instagram account where she posts photos of school events and nature. She loves all types of plants, especially cacti and succulents. Chloe practices a vegetarian lifestyle in order to help support animal welfare and sustainability of the environment. Chloe is extremely grateful and excited to serve on the Youth Advisory Board to ensure future delegates have an unforgettable WYSE experience.