Inspired by Keep America Beautiful’s National Youth Advisory Council, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s Green Youth Advisory Council (Green YAC) is a hyper-local a service-learning and leadership development program for high school students. During their service in the program, Green YAC members lend a fresh perspective to Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and take part in the eco-focused non-profit’s events while acting as ambassadors for environmental change.
“We’re truly excited about this incoming class of Green Youth Advisory Council members,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “Before the end of this school year, they will have an opportunity to propose new programs, create initiatives to grow awareness, serve as service-leaders at community events, provide key insights on how we can engage an up-and-coming generation of environmental stewards and so much more. We hope to empower each and every one of them to have an impact on the communities where these rising stars live, work and attend school, while engaging other young people to follow their lead. It is our hope that they will take what they learn during their time with us and grow their reach to impact their cities, their state, their region, their country and the world at large. Of course, what we’re finding is that we as an organization have a lot to learn from them, too.”
The newest members of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s Green Youth Advisory Council for the 2022-2023 school year are:
Stephanie Aguirre, Senior – Paul Duke STEM HS
Hailey Brown, Junior – Mill Creek HS
Asha El, Freshman – Norcross HS
Alice Garcia, Junior – Berkmar HS
Haven Hardy, Senior – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Esther Jung, Sophomore – Mill Creek HS
Kaylin Koen, Senior – Mountain View HS
Hannah Nguyen Le, Senior – Paul Duke STEM HS
Carolina Luevano, Senior – Paul Duke STEM HS
Anthony McIver, Senior – Parkview HS
Mrinali Pathak, Freshman – North Gwinnett HS
Vinh Pham, Junior – Brookwood HS
Serena Pradhan, Sophomore – Parkview HS
Luke Winter, Senior – Greater Atlanta Christian
Jean Yu, Senior – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is also delighted to welcome back ten returning members from last year’s Green YAC:
Ariella Ayenesazan, Junior – Peachtree Ridge HS
Suraj Chatoth, Senior – North Gwinnett HS
Danielle Chun, Junior – Mill Creek HS
Ella Lee, Junior – Mill Creek HS
Jack Prewitt, Senior – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Arshan Rafiq, Junior – Peachtree Ridge HS
Amay Shah, Senior – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Miles Simmons, Senior – Archer HS
Shivali Singh, Sophomore – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Trevor Spake, Senior – Brookwood HS
Involvement in the Green Youth Advisory Council provides its members with the opportunity to:
• Develop leadership skills while engaging in creative work focused on litter prevention, beautification, community greening, waste reduction, recycling, food insecurity and more
• Collaborate with like-minded peers with unique perspectives from across the county
• Assist with the design and implementation of environmental program initiatives for engaging youth in community service
• Act as a GC&B ambassador to their school and community by engaging youth and county leaders to promote sustainability, environmental literacy, and civic engagement
• Earn service hours and a letter of recommendation for college, future employment and more
• High school seniors involved in the Green Youth Advisory Council will be considered for a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship
