Former United Nations CEO Kathy Calvin believes, “Young people aren’t the leaders of tomorrow. They are the leaders of today AND tomorrow.” 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 at many Gwinnett County Public Schools, the 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 groups like Girl & 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). 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 high school students as this year’s members:

Samuel Bredland – a Sophomore from Central Gwinnett High School

Sonia Charaniya - a Senior from Brookwood High School

Rianne De Los Santos – Returning member and Senior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Ananya Desai – a Junior from Peachtree Ridge High School

Asha El – Returning member and Junior from Norcross High School

Violet Fung – Returning member and Junior from Peachtree Ridge High School

Kelly Ho – a Junior from Peachtree Ridge High School

Nafisa Jannat – a Junior from Brookwood High School

Brian Le – a Junior from Brookwood High School

Jennifer Le – a Junior from Meadowcreek High School

Minchan Lee – Returning member and Junior from Mill Creek High School

Vicky Li – a Sophomore from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Falyssa Ly – a Junior from Paul Duke STEM

Asma Naviwala – a Freshman from Parkview High School

Yusuf Naviwala – Returning member and Sophomore from Parkview High School

Tanya Nguyen – a Senior from South Gwinnett High School

Jasmine Osorio-Antonio - a Junior from McClure High School

Krish Patel – a Junior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Aryan Pathak – a Sophomore from McClure High School

Mrinali Pathak – Returning member and Senior from North Gwinnett High School

Serena Pradhan – Returning member and Senior from Parkview High School

Dev Shah – Returning member and Junior from North Gwinnett High School

Eshani Sharma – Returning member and Senior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Allison Shin – Returning member and Junior from Mill Creek High School

Shivali Singh – Returning member and Senior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Elizabeth Woo – a Junior from Mill Creek High School

Julia Yoon – Returning member and Sophomore from 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 24th, 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! 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 later this month at the November meeting.”

Representing an environmental and sustainability service-learning and leadership development program unlike any other, 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