Community-focused nonprofit welcomes new and returning group of student leaders
Former United Nations CEO Kathy Calvin believes, “Young people aren’t the leaders of tomorrow. They are the leaders of today AND tomorrow.” And Keep America Beautiful affiliate Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B) embraces that concept wholeheartedly by designing and implementing a wealth of programs designed to empower future leaders in Gwinnett County.
Through the Green & Healthy Schools Program, in place at many Gwinnett County Public Schools, the special Plant it Forward initiative creates edible and pollinator learning gardens; Food Waste Warriors helps students find solutions to reduce food waste; and Compost Connectors turns food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer.
GC&B also engages local school green teams and civic organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America in cleanup, beautification and recycling volunteer events.
However, the community-focused nonprofit’s flagship youth program – based on the national Keep America Beautiful model for high school students – is its Green Youth Advisory Council (GYAC). Made up of high school students from across Gwinnett County, the council’s mission is to help evolve programs and engage other young people within the community.
Green Youth Advisory Council 2024-2025
The applications for this year’s Green Youth Advisory Council are in, the kickoff meeting has been held and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is proud to introduce the following new and returning students as this year’s members:
- Samuel Bredland, sophomore — Central Gwinnett High School
- Sonia Charaniya, senior — Brookwood High School
- Ananya Desai, junior — Peachtree Ridge High School
- Kelly Ho, junior — Peachtree Ridge High School
- Nafisa Jannat, junior — Brookwood High School
- Brian Le, junior — Brookwood High School
- Jennifer Le, junior — Meadowcreek High School
- Vicky Li, sophomore — Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
- Falyssa Ly, junior — Paul Duke STEM
- Asma Naviwala, freshman — Parkview High School
- Tanya Nguyen, senior — South Gwinnett High School
- Jasmine Osorio-Antonio, junior — McClure High School
- Krish Patel, junior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
- Aryan Pathak, sophomore — McClure High School
- Elizabeth Woo, junior — Mill Creek High School
Returning members:
- Rianne De Los Santos, senior — Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
- Asha El, junior — Norcross High School
- Violet Fung, junior — Peachtree Ridge High School
- Minchan Lee, junior — Mill Creek High School
- Yusuf Naviwala, sophomore — Parkview High School
- Mrinali Pathak, senior — North Gwinnett High School
- Serena Pradhan, senior — Parkview High School
- Dev Shah, junior — North Gwinnett High School
- Eshani Sharma, senior — Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
- Allison Shin, junior — Mill Creek High School
- Shivali Singh, senior — Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
- Julia Yoon, sophomore — Buford High School
“This year’s GYAC comprises 27 students from 13 high schools across Gwinnett County,” said Schelly Marlatt, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful executive director. “We’re excited about all our new members, and I’m particularly thrilled to welcome back 12 members from previous GYAC groups.”
“On October 24, we hosted a kick-off event at The Manor, the office of our board’s chairwoman, Pam Ledbetter. These kids came to the table with so much passion and so many great ideas; I know this will be an amazing GYAC class!” Marlatt continued. “In addition to their volunteerism, advocacy and being ambassadors at their schools and out in the community, our GYAC Class of 2024-2025 has been tasked with either developing and implementing a new environmental program or expanding an existing one at their school. We cannot wait to share their project ideas after they present them.”
Making a difference
As representatives of this unique environmental and sustainability learning and leadership development program, involvement in the GYAC provides members an 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 council are also considered for a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship.
To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, its programs and future events, please visit gwinnettcb.org.
