Category: Youth Advisory Board

Carter Bilodeau is a 2025 WYSE alumnus from Vermont who attends Bellows Free Academy and participates in the Early College program at CCV. He plans to pursue a degree in marine biology with the long-term goal of teaching at the collegiate level. Carter has a strong interest in aquatic ecosystems and maintains multiple aquariums featuring coral species, along with a self-designed aquaponics system. Outside of his scientific interests, he enjoys hiking and reading. Carter is honored to join the Youth Advisory Board for WYSE and looks forward to contributing his passion for science and education.

Carly Theaker is a senior at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, California. At WYSE 2025, Carly was in the teal group and had an amazing time at George Mason. She loves spending time with her friends and going on fun adventures. When she’s not studying or doing homework, Carly enjoys reading, going on hikes and playing soccer. You can catch her rewatching The Nightmare Before Christmas at any point in the year and humming along to every Noah Kahan song.

Brandon Gertz is a rising senior from Los Angeles, California. He is passionate about environmental science and hopes to pursue a career in this field. At school, he founded the Climate and Ecology Club, is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, serves as a peer tutor, and plays lead tenor saxophone in studio jazz band. Outside of school, Brandon is a UC Certified Climate Steward and manages a community jazz group called the Trailblazers Jazz Ensemble sharing his love of jazz at senior living homes. He loves hiking, mountain biking, and camping. He is excited to be joining the board to make this next year’s WYSE the best one yet!

Bailey Murray is a 16 year old senior who attends Reach Cyber Charter School! She was born and raised in Kingston Pennsylvania and is a WYSE 2025 alumni. In her free time she likes to volunteer in her community and hangout with animals. She is an active participant in clubs at her school such as book club, yearbook, key club, FBLA, NHS, and many more. She plan to go to college and become a conservation advocate!

Ashley is graduating high school in 2026 and will be studying biology in college. She hopes to become an animal caretaker and conservationist, channeling her passion for the environment. She attended WYSE 2025 and especially liked the zoo trip and keeper panel. You can usually find her training or volunteering at her tae kwon do school, reading a science textbook, or admiring her very handsome cat.

Arella Gonzalez is a 2026 at Oak Hills High School graduate from Oak Hills, California. She is engaged with academics and sports. She is a Pole Vault captain and a lab tech for Oak Hills High School Science Department. In WYSE 2025, she learned the value of taking opportunities no matter how unsure they relate to your future, and is so thrilled to participate in the Youth Advisory Board.

Annaliesa Jimenez is a distinguished honors junior at Pottsville Area High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. A proud native of Pottsville, she is an active member of her school’s Quiz Team and the sorority Alpha Iota Delta. With a lifelong passion for biological sciences and environmental conservation, Annaliesa has participated in several prestigious programs, including the 2024 WorldStrides Costa Rica Wildlife Rescue Center program, the 2024 Congress of Future Medical Leaders, and the 2025 WYSE program. She is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and the Society of Torch and Laurel. Annaliesaaspires to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and make a healthy, positive impact on a planet that’s coughing, wheezing, and in dire need of care.

Alyssa is very excited to join the Youth Advisory Board for this year! Ever since attending WYSE 2025, it has been their mission to make sure that other delegates will have the same amazing experience she had. Ever since she was a kid, Alyssa has been fascinated with animals and has always wanted to preserve their habitats. Alyssa wants to be a zoologist and will attend Northern Arizona University to major in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology for the 2026 fall term.

Alaina lives on a ranch in Texas and has a deep love for animals, she loves showing sheep and steers. She’s very passionate about agriculture. She is heavily involved in FFA, school, and her community. Her interest in environmental science drives her to learn more about protecting her planet and its resources. Alaina’s love for agriculture and environmental science is reflected in everything she does.

Addie Wilson is currently a junior at Watauga High School in Boone, NC. She was a delegate at WYSE in 2025. She swims for Watauga Swim Team and Watauga High School Swim Team and hopes to swim at a university while pursuing a biomedical engineering degree. Addie is a part of the WHS Theatre Department, National Honors Society, National STEM Honors Society, Athletes for Good, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FIRST Research Team at the Colorado School of Mines, and the Student Leadership Program at Alliance Bible Fellowship. She is so excited to contribute in making WYSE even better in the future!