Tag: 2024

Zoria Waller is a Senior at McLean Highschool and will be going to college next year. She is hoping to major in Marine Biology and specialize in Deep Sea Biology. Zoria fell in love with the ocean at a young age and has explored more of environmental science throughout high school. Zoria is an executive for the Marine Biology Club, in the Science National Honors Society, and in the National Honors Society. In her free time, she enjoys singing and is in the highest choir at her high school as well as in TRI-M Music Honors Society. Zoria attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and cannot wait to be a Youth Advisory Member.

Robert Wilson is a senior at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, GA. His lifelong passion for wildlife led him to attend WYSE 2023. He is a long-term volunteer at Zoo Atlanta and an officer for several clubs at his high school. He enjoys soccer, hanging with friends, and his dog Patsy. Robert plans to pursue zoological medicine after high school. He is thrilled to serve as a member of the board for this upcoming WYSE.

Olivia is a junior at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She is the secretary of the Pinecrest FFA Chapter and a member of the National Honor Society. At school, she enjoys playing with the goats, working in the greenhouse, taking care of the bunny, and participating in FFA competitions. When she’s not at school, Olivia enjoys working, reading, hanging out with friends and family, and taking walks. She was a National Youth Delegate at WYSE in the summer of 2023, and she’s incredibly excited to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board!

Giavanna Vassalluzzo is a senior at Camden County Technical School. She is also a sophomore in college at Camden County College getting her Associate’s Degree. She wishes to be a marine biologist and travel the world conducting research. Outside of school, she loves reading, playing video games, and hanging out with her friends. Gia was a part of WYSE 2023 silver group and can’t wait to return. 

Serrina Jones attended WYSE in 2023, and she loved her experience as it opened her eyes to all the possibilities life has to offer. Because of WYSE, she plans on going into environmental law protecting endangered species. Serrina enjoys learning about new things at every chance she gets.

Lucy Pether is a Senior at Badger High School in Lake Geneva Wi. She works closely with a local watershed non-profit called Friends of the Fox River. She is a very active person who enjoys mountain biking, swimming, dancing, and skiing! In the summer and on weekends she works at a local coffee and bike shop called Avant. Lucy participated in WYSE in 2023 and is extremely excited to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board of WYSE!

Alyssa Dougherty is currently a Junior at Chilton High School, in Chilton, Wisconsin. She has plans to graduate high school and enter college as a second semester freshman. When she’s not working hard in school she works at the elementary school teaching 3rd graders and special needs students. She also works part time as a receptionist at her local dealership. She has a strong passion towards the environment, conservation, animals, and marine science. In her free time she enjoys watching movies, taking care of her ferrets, reading, and hanging out with friends. Alyssa participated in WYSE 2023 and is extremely grateful to be a member of WYSE Youth Advisory Board.

Mahaela Sleeper (She/Her) lives on the Suncoast of Florida. She is a junior at Citrus High School and a freshman at the College of Central florida. While she has had many interests and passions, science has always been the end-goal. She is currently working towards graduating High School with her associates in biology, but plans on later majoring in zoology and genetics. Mahaela is particularly interested in studying genetics in relation to the conservation of endangered keystone species. When her nose is not buried in a book, Mahaela can be found acting on the stage, playing in band, hanging with friends, and taking care of her bird Hamlet. She attended WYSE 2023 as a student and is honored to continue to keep in contact with the community. 

Malia is a Junior at H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Virginia. They love the arts, specifically visual arts, and are a member of a handful of music and art programs in their are. In their free time they can be found either painting, listening to musicals, or volunteering with dogs and cats for a local animal rescue. They adore marine biology, and are always looking for more to learn, especially about killer whales. Malia had the best time as a delegate at WYSE in the summer of 2023, and is so excited to be on the Youth Advisory Board to help with the planning of WYSE 2024.

Gavin Southwell is a 2023 WYSE alumni and a senior at East Chapel Hill High School. He plans on majoring in conservation biology in college. In his free time he plays soccer, volunteers at the Piedmont Wildlife Center, and helps organize teen science cafes as a member on the teen advisory board at Morehead Planetarium. Gavin’s most memorable experience from WYSE was seeing the Cheetahs being rehabilitated at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.