Category: Youth Advisory Board

Anna Warbington is a junior at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, IL where she participates in basketball and soccer.  She is also a member of The National Honor Society, Cougar Climb, an athletic leadership club, and student council.  Outside of school Anna plays club soccer, works a part time job, and spends her time volunteering at Anderson Humane, a rescue organization for cats, dogs, and wildlife rehabilitation. Anna attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and had an amazing experience.  She is excited to continue being a part of WYSE and the youth advisory board.  

Oliver Burkholder is a senior at Cherry Creek High School in Denver, Colorado. He is involved in his school’s technical theater program as well as a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. After high school he hopes to pursue his passion of marine biology. He was a youth delegate at WYSE in 2023 and cannot wait to help future delegates as they embark on their journey through this incredible program.

Iva is a Junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Orange County, California. She was a Delegate at WYSE 2023 and is excited to have the chance to return to create an even better experience for future delegates. Iva is a passionate Model United Nations participant that engages in many environmental topics to better understand the relationship between politics and the environment. Outside of school, Iva enjoys spending time at her local beaches and parks, especially studying the animals in these habitats.

Matt is a senior at Glenelg High School in Maryland and a 2023 WYSE participant. Currently Matt is applying to colleges to pursue a degree in molecular biology and ecology. Matt’s passion in the environment started when he learned about the conservation efforts for the Black Footed Ferret done by the National Zoo. Matt can usually be seen spending time with his dogs, riding horses, or reading.  

Evie is currently a senior in high school, in Portland, Oregon. Her experience at the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) was inspiring and she is honored to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board. She loves to hike, paddle board, backpack, camp, and anything that involves being outdoors. Her plans after high school are to attend Oregon State University where she will be majoring in Marine Biology. 

Olivia Dodge is a junior in the IB Diploma Programme at Churchill High School in Eugene, OR. She runs varsity cross country and track, in addition to volunteering as a youth cross country coach through the Oregon Track Club. At school, she is the student body communications officer for the 2023-24 school year. In her free time she enjoys reading, swimming, hiking at sunset, and live music. She attended WYSE in the summer of 2023, and is so excited to be on the Youth Advisory Board for 2024.

Montana Pankaskie is a Junior at Palo Verde High School in Blythe, California. She attended WYSE during the summer of 2023 and is very excited to continue her journey with the program. Montana has a passion for all things marine biology and the environment; outside of school you can find her hanging out at the river or taking care of her FFA goat. Montana strives to achieve a degree in Marine Biology and work in a field to better the environment.

Julius Rodriguez is a third-year student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a dual major in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience. Beyond the academic realm, his heart belongs to the natural world. His bedroom serves as a lush haven for 42 diverse plant species, and he shares his life with Peaches, his beloved 2-year-old African spurred tortoise. Julius’s free time is dedicated to exploring the psychological avenues to inspire environmental consciousness and foster a deeper connection between people and the environment.

Michaela Schneidewend is a junior at Lourdes Academy, where she’s a current Chem Club leader and a member of the International Club. She volunteers frequently at the local animal shelters, helping to socialize the animals and making them adoptable. She loves kayaking, plants, photography, and camping. She participated in WYSE in 2023 and is happy to be back as a member of the Youth Advisory Board!

Jade Lutz is a current senior at Panther Valley High School where she serves as a Chief Editor for her school’s newspaper and yearbook. She is also a key member of her school’s Volunteering Club, Student Advisory Board, and Student Council. When not working hard in her education, she enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, blogging, and enjoying nature. She plans to pursue degrees in Environmental Science and become a Secondary Educator. She was a part of the 2023 WYSE and is thrilled to return on the Youth Advisory Board. She is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.