Tag: 2024

Maria Allen is currently a senior at East Central High School. Although she was born and raised in North Carolina, she moved to Texas during the summer of 2022. At school, Maria is actively involved in various activities, such as playing volleyball, being a member of NSHSS, and being the president of the National Honor Society at her school. Outside of her academics, Maria has passions for swimming, hiking, art, and architecture. During the summer of 2023, Maria attended WSYE and is thrilled to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board.

Emma is a senior at Mars Area High School that hopes to attend college to major in marine sciences.  She is a competitive dancer and participates in the musicals at her school.  When not in her activities, Emma enjoys being outside, reading, and being with her friends.  Emma was a WYSE participant in 2023 and had such a wonderful time.  She is extremely grateful to be on the Youth Advisory Board for WYSE 2024.

Melina is currently a senior at Osbourn Park High School. She plans on pursuing a degree in Neuroscience. Melina often spends her free time volunteering with the special needs kids at her school. She is also an avid plant parent.

Madelyn Crosby is a current junior at Chaparral High School in Parker, Colorado. At school, she participates as a writing tutor, link crew leader, and theater technician.  During her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and spending time outdoors. Madelyn attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and is so exited to help out on the Youth Advisory Board! 

A passionate and driven individual, Kayleigh Karkoski is a competitive swimmer with an unwavering love for the water. Hailing from the charming farm town of Hillsborough, North Carolina, they have always been surrounded by the beauty of nature and animals. With dreams of exploring the depths of the ocean and its myriad mysteries, Kayleigh Karkoski aspires to become a marine biologist. In 2023, they attended the prestigious WYSE program, which further ignited their passion for the sciences. Whether in the pool or the lab, Kayleigh Karkoski is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the world around them.

Grace is a junior at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is the president of the schools Greenhouse and Conservation club, a member of the Grimsley High School Madrigals and Tri-M Honor Society, and participates in the theater program at Grimsley. Grace has a wide range of pets which add up to 18 total at the current moment, and consist of dogs, a hamster, snapping turtles, White’s tree frogs, a leopard gecko, mourning geckos, a bearded dragon, and even stick bugs and a regal jumping spider named Ophelia! When not in rehearsal for the school musical or caring for her many pets, Grace can be found volunteering with a local dog rescue on Saturday mornings, or drawing, singing, writing, or wandering in nature in her free time. Grace attended WYSE in the summer of 2023 and is looking forward to being a member of the youth advisory board!

Beatrice Riley is currently a junior at John Marshall high school in San Antonio Texas. They are 2023 WYSE alumni. In their free time they like to draw, knit, read, and listen to music. They hope to major in botany and gain a PHD in cellular botany. 

Trista is a senior at Ringgold HS, Monongahela PA. She is involved in a variety of extracurriculars including science club, theater, and NHS. She is always striving to be her best for herself and those around her, and is always eager to learn more. She believes that one should never give up in their goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, learning more, and doing puzzles. Trista attended WYSE in 2023 and cannot wait to return and make even more memories as part of the YAB.