Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP)

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Energetic, Adventurous, Artistic

What Is Your Dream Career?

I’d like to be a marine engineer, oceanographer, or geoscientist.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along the Georgia coast is St. Marys. I grew up here, so I just have fond memories of it.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I think rising sea levels are an issue I’m more passionate about. The sea level on Georgia’s coast has risen around ten inches since 1935 and is expected to rise 8 inches to 6 feet more by 2100. Sea level rises can negatively affect the coast’s natural resources, infrastructure, and citizens. I live on the coast, meaning this would directly affect me and the place where I live. We must prepare for rising sea levels along with trying to prevent them.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Rational, Unique, Friendly

What Is Your Dream Career?

Zoologist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I really like Tyee island because of all the sea turtles that come there.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am really concerned about the plastic pollution that happing not only on our coast but in other areas as well. The reason why is because this one problem has caused a series of multiple problems, such as coastal life eating these plastics and getting trapped in them. Plastic has also dulled the beautiful site of our beaches. And the thing is that is this issue can be resolved very easily if people cooperate, but some of them are just not willing to because they don’t understand the dangers it causes and simply outlook them.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Creative, determined, empathetic

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream career is to be a fighter pilot for the air force.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island; it has large driftwood trees which are stunning, and it also has many tidepools where you can find crabs, small fish, and even sea stars.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about coastal erosion because I believe it is the most pressing and harmful issue that Georgia is facing. It decreases the amount of coastal habitat and increases the risk of flooding, which threatens people, buildings, and ecosystems near the coast.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Amiable, Genuine, Outgoing

What Is Your Dream Career?

Activist Journalist 

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Tybee Island. I love how accessible Tybee is for me, I can easily go on a beach day and enjoy our coastal ecosystem. 

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I’m most passionate about the waste in our coastal waterways. I believe it’s detrimental to our planet as a whole, and as humans, we should fight to ensure that our planet stays healthy for us and our fellow species. 

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Hardworking, Intuitive, and Quick-witted

What Is Your Dream Career?

Lawyer

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s Coast is probably Jekyll Island. It’s a beautiful place that I really wish I could visit more often. I love the beach, the Sea Turtle Center, and the wooded area where I’ve had family picnics.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

A coastal issue I’m passionate about is the pollution in Georgia waters because it’s harmful to marine life. If the majority of people used environmentally friendly alternatives like reusable grocery bags, water bottles, and straws, the amount of waste could lessen significantly.

Kate Bossler

12th Grade, Islands High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Polite, Determined, Assertive

What Is Your Dream Career?

Chief Physician or a doctor in the Intensive Care Unit

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Jekyll Island due to the higher quality of natural resources found there compared to Tybee Island. The sand beaches have better upkeep, and the water is visibly less polluted.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about the erosion of Georgia’s coastline, as this issue can lead to multiple detriments down the road. It causes concern to nearby developments and housing, is attributed to more widespread issues such as global warming along with an imbalance of natural resources, etc.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Sincere, Empathetic, Bright

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream job (at the moment) is a National park officer, where I can teach other people about our world’s wonders

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite part of the Georgia’s coast is the Maritime forests that border the edge of the marsh, because of the many species of organisms that collide at such a beautiful place.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am the most passionate about animal conservation and how different species co-exist. I think that one of the best ways to help our environment is to conserve what we have and share with others the importance of why it needs protection.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Musical, Witty, Tree-hugger

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream job is to become an immunopathologist.  I’ve always been interested in microsciences and biology. It’s the perfect combination of sciences.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Visually, I love driftwood beach, but if I have to choose only one I love Sapelo Island and the feeling that’s it’s untouched and preserved.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Honestly, I’m concerned about the level of nitrates in the water as well as the collecting of other hazardous chemicals.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Passionate, Funny, Smart

What Is Your Dream Career?

An architect that designs sustainable structures and creates urban designs that are both sustainable and useful. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll become a civil engineer who builds sustainable city infrastructure.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place if I had to pick would be Epworth by the Sea. It is the perfect location to watch the sunset or sunrise. I just love how the sunsets are so vibrant and beautiful. It also is just a great place to walk around and take in the peacefulness of nature. I also love how you can see both the marsh, the river, and large oak trees.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about climate change and its individual effects on the Georgia Coast. Rising sea levels and more intense storms have increased, decreasing biodiversity in the local marsh and ocean ecosystems. If these issues are combated by advocating as well as the little things like recycling, then soon our coast won’t be as beautiful and nourished.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Creative, Adventurous, Dedicated

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream career is to be a journalist set on traveling the world and reporting on issues that are not always seen or represented in the public eye.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast are the marshes. Swimming, kayaking, and having fun with friends in the winding marsh has always been a big part of my life.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Pollution of the beaches and natural waterways is a huge issue, especially on our beaches. Seeing the issue firsthand has helped me create a deeper understanding of the severity of the problem.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Hardworking, Compassionate, Curious

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream career is to work for the World Health Organization and engage in global studies to help, protect, and serve people and countries across the world. I would love to be a part of promoting better health, help create sustainable solutions to global issues, and improve the quality of life worldwide.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Jekyll Island. This island has natural beauty and history, and even though it is a tourist hotspot in the summer, it is also home to lots of coastal wildlife. There are parts of the island where you can spot ghost shrimp, seagulls, plovers, oystercatchers, skimmers, other shorebirds, crabs, and clams. Unlike Tybee, which almost all parts of the island seem to have been taken over by humans year after year. At Jekyll, sometimes you can even see some birds flying high and dropping clams to the ground to feed. Jekyll Island also consists of forested areas, such as the forest at the island’s north end. But shoreline erosion has caused the beach to take over the edges of the forest, causing many trees to die. The fact that this island can be a place for many tourists to relax and have fun, but also that it is home to so much wildlife, is what I like most about it.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

The coastal issues I am most passionate about are human disturbance and coastal erosion. Lots of coastal life has been affected by human activity. Environmental pollution caused by human activity is a very common problem. Although there are a few groups/organizations that take care of our coast, this problem is yet to be solved. Due to climate change, the sea levels are rising, and our coasts have been affected by more storms and higher tides. With the temperature rising, more tropical storms and hurricanes are impacting the coast, causing flooding and coastal erosion. This issue has caused and can continue to cause habitat destruction for almost all wildlife that live on the coast. These are the issues that I am most passionate about because I feel like they are the most important, and most difficult to solve and that they will require long-term solutions in order to protect the coast and the wildlife living there.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Driven, Caring, Adventurous

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream is to become an environmental scientist.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place is Gould’s Inlet on Saint Simons Island because it is quiet and private compared to the other beaches on the island. Also, it’s the best place to go watch the sunrise with the ocean reflecting the sun’s light on the water.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about the loss of habitats of our wildlife because whole ecosystems rely on each organism and losing just one causes ecosystems to suffer greatly.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Outgoing, Kind, Passionate

What Is Your Dream Career?

My dream career is a pathologist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along the coast is Jekyll Island on the beach because I like looking for sand dollars and seeing all the things that wash up like jellyfish and crabs.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

A coastal issue I’m most passionate about is the right whale situation currently because the livelihood of the animals on Georgia’s coast is super important to me.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Motivated, Compassionate, optimistic

What Is Your Dream Career?

I don’t have a specific dream career right now, but I do know that I would like whatever I do to have a positive and lasting impact.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I love Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island. I basically grew up there, so there are so many memories that I have attached to that place, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous sunset. I love that even though it has developed areas, it still maintains its beauty in the marshes, oak trees, and wildlife that lives there.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I’m most passionate about the plastic waste issue mainly because it’s such a large problem, but also because it’s one that anyone and everyone can contribute to solving.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Flexible, Dedicated, Passionate

What Is Your Dream Career?

I am undecided as of now, but most likely performing in the music or acting fields.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I love driftwood beach, the trees are beautiful. beautiful place.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I’m most passionate about the safety of coastal wildlife. The coast is home to so many amazing species that need protection.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Caring, Motivated, Curious

What Is Your Dream Career?

I don’t really know what I want to be exactly, but I would love to do something that would allow me to travel to new places.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place is Wassaw Island because I have fond memories of going during the summer with friends and my family.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about plastic pollution because it is something that can be significantly lessened if more people become aware of what an impact recycling/ throwing away their trash could make for the environment instead of leaving it on the ground.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Enthusiastic, Adventurous, Ambitious

What Is Your Dream Career?

Anthropologist/ Archaeologist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Driftwood Beach, because it’s interesting to look at the sea anemones during low tide. It’s also really peaceful when hiking and kayaking over there.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Habitat loss. It’s important to protect coastal plants and wildlife because that is what makes our area so unique. Like what would we be without marsh grass!

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Hardworking, Curious, Dedicated

What Is Your Dream Career?

Writer

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Goulds Inlet on St. Simons Island. This particular place is special to me because I spend a lot of time there surfing and hanging out. The beach itself is always changing and there are lots of shorebirds. I also often see sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and tarpon there. It also has great sunrises and sunsets.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about protecting coastal wildlife. I want to preserve our local wildlife because I recreate in and enjoy our natural areas on our coast such as our beaches and marshes. The plants and animals that inhabit these areas are part of those environments and are important to me.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Creative, Intelligent, Hardworking

What Is Your Dream Career?

Adolescent Psychiatrist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is the estuary between Sea Island and Little St. Simons. It’s the best place to go dolphin sighting!

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about pollution on our beaches. Growing up at the beach, it’s so upsetting to see this beautiful place get taken over with waste left behind.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Dedicated, Compassionate, and Patient

What Is Your Dream Career?

After college, I would enjoy being an archeologist or a paleontologist.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along the Georgia coast would probably be Savannah due to its unique aesthetic near the riverside. I also enjoy the abundance of small businesses there and the feel of the city.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am really passionate about the quality of Georgia’s water because of its importance on our families living here, and families visiting here for our beautiful coasts. The quality of the water also affects the species living here and leads to several species being endangered as well as extinction.

Stephanie Chewning

Coastal Education Coordinator

Stephanie’s love for the ocean started at a very young age on the beaches of Stone Harbor, New Jersey, searching for and collecting shells with her Nana. This childhood passion never stopped, and she followed her interest in the outdoors by pursuing a degree in Marine Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

After college, Stephanie spent time teaching environmental science in Florida, California, and Georgia. Ultimately settling on the Georgia coast, she worked at Driftwood Education Center on St. Simons Island as the Program Director and later with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a Naturalist on Sapelo Island. Stephanie continues to share her love of our coast as a part of the One Hundred Miles education team.

Megan Desrosiers

President and Chief Executive Officer

Megan Desrosiers is the founding President/CEO of One Hundred Miles, Georgia’s coastal advocacy organization. In an effort to elevate the Georgia coast as a recognized place of historical, cultural, and biological significance, she spends her time working in local communities, on regional collaboration projects, and lobbying in Atlanta. Since the organization’s inception in 2013, Megan and her team have been responsible for improvements to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act requiring a 25-foot buffer for all salt marsh, galvanizing statewide opposition to offshore drilling, education programs reaching more than 10,000 people annually, and local ordinances that promote responsible growth balanced with conservation. She also serves on the leadership team of the Georgia Water Coalition and the board of Georgia Conservation Voters.

Before coming to Georgia’s coast, Megan spent 10 years at the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) in South Carolina, where she helped to establish the organization’s first climate and energy and agriculture program agendas. She worked with a team to start GrowFood Carolina, South Carolina’s first local food hub, and collaborated with a group of diverse leaders to initiate Charleston County’s Greenbelt Program.

Megan is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Since finishing her degrees, she has completed professional development programs at the Harvard Business School, Institute for Conservation Leadership, and the Buckley School for Public Speaking. Megan lives in Old Town Brunswick with her husband, Michael, and two sons, Luca and Kellen.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Kind, Silly, Ready to help

What Is Your Dream Career?

Zoo Veterinarian or Journalist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Cumberland Island because it’s so peaceful and a happy reminder that we can protect our barrier islands.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Rising sea levels and plastic pollution. I love water, but I love my dry home more. It’s sad to see such beautiful places littered with plastics and animals choked to death because we have to have our cokes tied together.

Mackenzie Buck

11th grade, Brunswick High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Driven, Compassionate, Resilient

What Is Your Dream Career?

Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

While not strictly coastal, I love the Okefenokee Swamp! It is absolutely gorgeous, and the towering trees, open expanses, and wildlife are amazing to behold. Strictly coastal, I often visit South End Beach on Jekyll Island. It’s typically empty, and the birds are free to frolic around. The best part is the dolphin sightings, though!

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

The environmental issues I gravitate towards are those pertaining to environmental health, so I care about the coastal environment, but I also care about the people who live here. Enforcing environmental standards with building projects and other business/government activity, safe substance levels in water/water quality, preventing habitat destruction, and safeguarding our wildlife are things I care about. There’s no place like the Georgia coast.

Catie Fenstermaker

12th grade, Camden County High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Dedicated, Considerate, Passionate

What Is Your Dream Career?

I would love to do conservation work in a national park, especially one out west!

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I really like Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. There are uprooted trees all along the shore, and I love both climbing them and seeing the life they harbor. (There are so many fiddler crabs!)

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I’m really passionate about water quality; it is important both to give people access to clean, safe water for drinking, household use, or recreational activities and to ensure a livable water quality to preserve the ecosystems of coastal Georgia. Without good water quality, we could lose the biodiversity that makes our shores so special–species would not tolerate the water due to its chemical or biological composition, and this could lead to drastic negative changes in our coast.

Belle Ewing

11th Grade, Glynn Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Intelligent, Creative, Welcoming

What Is Your Dream Career?

Civil Engineer

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Cumberland Island is the perfect balance of breathtaking scenery and fascinating history.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Pollution by major corporations who are not held accountable by the government.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Thoughtful, Observant, and Organized

What Is Your Dream Career?

Definitely something in the science field. As of now, I really would like to be a forensic scientist. I love how it’s putting together a huge puzzle, and you also get to solve the crime, which is really awesome.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along the Georgia coast would probably have to be the salt marshes. When I think of Savannah and where I am from, I don’t really think of Tybee Island or Downtown Savannah. I think of the marshes because that is what I am most familiar with and what I grew up around. I love the salt marsh ecosystem and the familiar smell. It’s definitely something I know I’d miss if I did not live on the coast.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am passionate about all coastal issues, but I think I am the most passionate about littering. Littering feels a lot more personal than some other possible issues and pollution problems, but everyone has done it at some point, whether on purpose or accidental. Littering is such a small thing that if individuals can stop doing, it would make such a huge difference.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Ambitious, Passionate, and Reliable

What Is Your Dream Career?

Something in environmental science

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Cumberland Island. I like the historical ruins and horses. I also like how peaceful it is there.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I am most passionate about issues that deal with animals like lights with turtles and boat rudders with manatees.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

What Is Your Dream Career?

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Kind, Smart, Creative

What Is Your Dream Career?

DNR agent in the state of Georgia

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Cumberland Island. I’ve spent time camping there twice in the primitive camping areas. I just love it.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Sea Turtle experiences….from people staying off the beach at night and cleaning their holes and plastic up before leaving….to keeping people off the nests…..to making sure that the lights are out when it’s time to get those baby sea turtles hatched and headed to the sea.

Jessica Zhu

12th grade, Savannah Country Day School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Passionate, Caring, Positive.

What Is Your Dream Career?

Biomedical engineer

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Savannah. I’ve been here for three years, it has been a precious part of my high school memory.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Food waste and trash. It is a long-term issue yet managed to make a change.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Chatty, Outgoing, and Quirky

What Is Your Dream Career?

Working with urban forestry.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Jekyll island, and I like the fact that not as many people choose to visit those beaches.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Damage to wildlife due to climate change, I love sea creatures and find them fascinating. There are so many undiscovered creatures in our oceans that are probably going instinct right now.

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Thoughtful, Hardworking, Creative

What Is Your Dream Career?

Journalist/Editor

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Sea Island. I am not so big of a fan of the resort itself as I am the beach. It is the site of a lot of meaningful memories for my family and important personal milestones, such as learning how to swim. For these reasons I love that particular beach and have grown very protective of it as litter and damage increases due to tourists.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

One of the main coastal issues I am passionate about is the increased destruction and deforestation of marshland for the sake of housing developments. I have been highly concerned with this issue ever since I witnessed an albino deer flee through the marsh by King’s Way as a result of the construction of the Yacht Club years ago. I was horrified that an already vulnerable creature had been made even more susceptible to harm due to displacement. The clearing of important land is deeply alarming as it continues to cause a large loss of animal habitats and to contribute to coastal erosion.

Benjamin Kenney

12th grade, Savannah Arts Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Excited, Intelligent, Happy

What Is Your Dream Career?

Aerospace Engineer or Environmental Engineer

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

Something big in my life are the trips I take with my family. Every year we go on a road trip, which lasted for 2 months last year.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite thing is the uninhabited islands. Since I was a kid I have been camping on the islands, enjoying their nature.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Rising sea levels, because our salt water marshes are so susceptible to the damage it could cause.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

You can’t succeed if you never try. You gotta get out there and do something about it if you really care.

Blake Handy

12th grade, Islands High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Energetic, Funny, Outgoing

What Is Your Dream Career?

Physical therapist

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I’m proud that I make good grades, play 3 sports and work a job.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My grandfather’s dock because I like to fish and swim.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Plastic pollution.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Be yourself.

Sarah Weese

12th Grade, Glynn Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Adventurous, Driven, Hardworking

What Is Your Dream Career?

Environmental Engineer

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I am captain of the Glynn Academy sailing team.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Savannah is my favorite place along the Georgia coast because of how easily the natural aspects combine with its history.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Probably pollution. Since I sail on the Brunswick river I see the effects of pollution on the local ecosystem. It is upsetting to see how the area is transformed by trash.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Educate yourself on local issues and things you can do to help. No matter how small, everything helps.

Victoire Komlan

10th Grade, Bradwell Institute

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Lively, Artistic, Humorous

What Is Your Dream Career?

Undecided

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

My dad won the lottery visa which allowed my family to come to the United States.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Jekyll island because of its beautiful views.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Pollution, because it causes a huge risk on animal in the coastal areas of Georgia.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

I say, reach out to your community, neighborhood and organizations like YELP so that you can be surrounded by people who will help you every step of the way.

Gracie Wenzel

12th Grade, Glynn Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Determined, Intuitive, Fast Learner

What Is Your Dream Career?

Aquatic Veterinary

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I volunteer at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and took role in cleaning out our science building in an eco-friendly way.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center because you get to learn so much about things that you didn’t know before.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Plastic pollution and pollution in general because I have seen first hand the effects of that pollution on sea turtles.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Do what you believe is right, and stick with it.

Victoriyah Friend

11th Grade, Liberty County High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Dependable, Open-Minded, Sympathetic

What Is Your Dream Career?

Psychologist

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I’ve always strived for great grades which has led me to have straight A’s on every report card I’ve gotten.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I love the beaches because they are such a beautiful and calming sight. It’s a great place to relax and unwind or have fun with friends and family.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I’m worried most about pollution of the environment because I feel as if it’s an activity most people do without giving a second thought about it without realizing the detrimental effects that come with it.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

I advise any student that wants to be a leader or make a difference is to be a role model. Be the person that goes out and helps the community rather than telling others they should go out and help. Not only does it set you as a positive example for the others, it shows you’re willing to make a change with the people alongside them.

Kristen Clark

12th Grade, South Effingham High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Adventurous, Creative, Assiduous

What Is Your Dream Career?

I don’t know exactly what it is I want to pursue later in life, but I know I want it to be something that gives me the freedom to travel and explore the world while still making a difference. I want to do something that allows me to be creative and pursue my passions, something more than just a standard desk job.

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I’ve participated in South Carolina’s Olympic Development Program for soccer for the past two years.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place probably has to be Saint Simon’s Island. It’s not just about how beautiful and serene it is, though. I like how being there makes me feel. I like that it makes me feel at peace with myself and lets me escape from the world around me.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I think that major coastal issues to be concerned about primarily surround plastic pollution and the degradation of beaches and coastal lands. There are so many issues that are important and worthwhile, but I feel that plastic pollution is especially important. It threatens wildlife and chemicals leeched can harmfully impact human health, as well.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

You are never too small to make a difference. Every movement and every change in history has started with one action, one idea, that was built upon to create change. All contributions, big or small, have the power to make a difference.

Haily Vo

11th Grade, HV Jenkins

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Creative, Thoughtful, Humorous

What Is Your Dream Career?

Biomedical Engineer

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Tybee island, since I live closest to it. I have many memories there with my family and friends, and it has always been a great place to be with the important people in my life.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Plastic pollution and littering. Littering is something that is completely caused by human beings; that means it can be completely prevented by the same people. Plastic pollution is something that is ruining marine ecosystems, and it is so frustrating knowing that it is preventable and current pollution in the ocean can be controlled if more people focused on it.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

To not be shy to speak up. I’ve been scared to talk about anything important for a lot of my life, but speaking up about something you’re passionate about and what change you want to bring to a community is something you won’t regret.

Karen Kao

11th Grade, Jenkins High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Exists, Person, 100100001101001

What Is Your Dream Career?

Film, since it’s a dream career, but something STEM based to be more realistic.

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I can breathe oxygen.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Riverstreet because it just has this aesthetic, and I love the landscape and animals the most.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Flooding since we are wasting so much tax money on unrealistic plans to fix flooding.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Society sucks, so try to make it better.

Ayden Kennedy

9th grade, Heritage Christian Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Funny, Creative, Athletic

What Is Your Dream Career?

Something in the creative field (music, photography,etc.) or a type of biology where I either work with bacteria or animals.

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

My photography pictures.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

I like anywhere in nature. Anywhere that makes me feel close to the presence of God and I get to experience creation

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Definitely harm against wildlife. Wildlife is so important to our ecosystem that without the wildlife we wouldn’t be able to function normally.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Take your time. Don’t just jump into something right away. Change doesn’t happen over night.

Montgomery Hughes

12th Grade, Glynn Academy

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Curious, Creative, Unique

What Is Your Dream Career?

Geologist

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I was the County Coordinator for Lisa Ring during the 2018 midterms.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

The beach on Sapelo Island, because it is well preserved and scarcely touched by people.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Ocean acidification, because it threatens to disrupt the world’s coasts and oceans in ways that I never imagined were possible.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Never stop being a student.

Elijah Oliver

12th Grade, Homeschooled

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Curious, Tunnel focus, Active

What Is Your Dream Career?

Being a famous musician

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I know how to play 8 different instruments.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

Jekyll is a fantastic island, with an enormous range of sights.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

Plastic waste, rising sea levels, pollution.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

Go out there and just do it.