Category: Youth Advisory Board

Reagan Sloan is a junior at William J. Brennan High school, located in San Antonio, Texas. She is the Class of 2026 Historian, the Founder and President of the Environmental Club, and a member of both the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. When she is not busy with school, Reagan enjoys traveling, being outside in nature, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Kinsley. Reagan strives to achieve a degree in botany and a minor in environmental science. She attended WYSE during the summer of 2024 and is so excited to be returning as a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

Olivia Magnini is a current senior and attended the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment last summer. Olivia was inspired by the experience and hopes to use the knowledge she learned in her day to day life and in her future career as a marine biologist. In Olivia’s freetime she enjoys volunteering at her local aquarium and playing tennis. Olivia is excited to help plan the 2025 summit experience to help make it just as fun or even better than last year.

Nora Wells is a senior at Lowell High School in San Francisco, CA. She is the brass section leader for her school’s Symphonic Band, and she is involved in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Outside of school, she spends her time working as a lifeguard, crocheting, and hanging out with her cat, dog, and gecko. Nora plans to get her masters in Ecology or Environmental Policy and is passionate about all things environment. She attended WYSE in the summer of 2024 and is excited to be continuing her journey as a part of the board!

Nolan Wildrick is an avid outdoorsman. He loves to be out whether climbing through foliage or reading a book under the tree. But his favorite part is all the wonderful wildlife, from the cleaver Black Bear to the mighty Saw Tooth Ant. That is why he wants to advocate for and protect the environment.

Mika Medina is currently a senior at Longmont High School, where she is an ambassador for the Medical and Bioscience program and dual enrolled in EMT school. When not at school Mika works for her local gymnastics gym where she had been a coach for the last four years and hopes to continue this passion into her future. Her favorite pastimes include serving at her church, skiing, hiking in the mountains and meeting new people. Mika currently lives in Longmont, Colorado but hopes to spend a year traveling and volunteering across the world before heading out of state to pursue a degree in Speech Pathology. She was a 2024 WYSE delegate and is excited to return back as part of the advisory board to share her experiences and friendships that she made.

Mervin Gonzalez is a junior at Colonial high school,he is a proud and active member of his ffa chapter participating in a variety of activities from career development events such as Veterinary medicine and environmental science, to being a part of its service committee. In his free time you can see him spending time with his 2 rabbits, working with dogs and cats in his local animal shelter, playing video games and watching movies and he dreams to one day be able to become an exotic veterinarian.He participated in WYSE during the summer of 2024 and can’t wait to come back as a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

Meren Benischek is a senior at Malcolm Public Schools in Malcolm, Nebraska, and is actively a part of her school’s One Act team, FBLA, choir, and the yearbook committee. Meren is a member of the NSHSS and Nebraska Recycling Council, which reflects her desire to help her community and gain more knowledge for her future. Her passion has led her to be involved in a non-profit organization that trains service dogs called Domesti-Pups. Meren has recently enrolled at the University of Nebraska to pursue a career in wildlife conservation, which combines both her want to help animals and her community.

Maya Silva is a senior at Lowell Catholic High School in Lowell, Massachusetts, who attended the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2024. At school, Maya takes part in leadership roles, including five National Honor Societies and the Student Council Executive Board. An aspiring veterinarian, she hopes to further her education by studying Animal Sciences with a Pre-Veterinary Concentration. She also is looking to minor in Environmental Science due to her time as a National Youth Delegate at WYSE. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, she is excited to collaborate with her peers and make the 2025 WYSE an even better experience than her own, and cannot wait to see the impact it will have on others as it did to her!

Meg Gillen lives in Arlington,Texas and is in the 11th grade at Nolan Catholic High School. She takes all Ap and Honors classes and works hard to achieve all A’s. At school, Meg participates in various clubs such as: Stem Club, Literary Club, Junior World Affair Council, Spanish Club, History Club, Model UN, and is a part of National Honor Society and National Math Honor Society. Outside of school, she works a part time job at SixFlags and volunteers as a lead in her Peer Ministry group at Church every Saturday. Meg also runs Cross Country in the Fall and partakes in Track and Field in the Spring. Meg participated in WYSE 2024 and is excited to be included in the Youth Advisory Board.

Millie Hopper is a Junior at East High School in Denver, CO. She is on the leadership team for the Denver Public Schools Students for Climate Action, as well as an Ambassador for Morgan’s Message. Her favorite activities include Surfing, Swimming (competitive and non-competitive), and connecting with nature. She attended WYSE in 2024 and is excited to help others enjoy WYSE 2025!