Roots & Shoots Youth Program of the Jane Goodall Institute Announces National Youth Council for 2020
2020 is all about seeing the good all around us, and what’s more filled with good than a group of young change-makers stepping up to become young leaders? This week, Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute USA (JGI) founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, has announced their new 2020 youth council! The Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA (RSYC) is a passionate group of young people from around the United States who are dedicated to making positive change happen in their communities–for people, other animals, and the environment we share. We’re proud to announce this year’s 2020 RSYC, a group that includes young people from many backgrounds and skills, representing the best of Roots & Shoots activism, commitment and compassion.
New Members
William Charouhis- Miami, Florida- Climate Activism
Isabel Gray- Washington, D.C.- Climate Change Activism
Hannah Zhang- Tuscon, Arizona- Sustainable Eating (Vegan), Human Health
Kate Misher- Los Angeles, California- Gun Violence, Diversity & Inclusion
Ojas Phirke- Round Rock, Texas-STEM, Environmental Engineering
Rhea Kripalani- Morganville, New Jersey- Plastic Consumption, Sustainability
Mingya Wang- Portland, Oregon- STEM, Gender Equality
Samyukta Iyer- Marietta, Georgia-Advocacy and education for marginalized people (but said better)
Gabriella Mendoza- Greenwich, Connecticut-Income Inequality, Community Enhancement
Chloe Ng- Rye Brook, New York- Native Species, school composting
Mahir Rahman- Kissimmee, Florida- STEM, Equal Access to Medical Care
Marissa Teitelbaum- Morganville, New Jersey- Environmental Engineering, Environmental Advocacy
Joseph Zhong- Omaha, Nebraska-Music Therapy
Returning Members
Daniel Randall- Sherman Oaks, CA – Green Spaces, Public Lands
Madailein Gregg- San Marino, CA – Animal Welfare, Gender Equality
April Zhang- Oro Valley, AZ – Girls in STEM
Jonathan Lui- Arcadia, CA – Environmental Conservation
Virginia Johnson- Pittsboro, NC – Environmental Stewardship, Animal Welfare
Shrida Pandey- Lafayette, CA – Community Building
Margaret Odom- Kailua, Hawaii – Conservation, Gender Equality
Nicole Rosenfeld- Weston, MA – Girls Who Code, Girls in STEM
Rachel Lind- Los Angeles, CA – Education
Ashley Lin- Vancouver, WA – Entrepreneurial Education
Noah Weiss- Sherman Oaks, CA – Green Spaces, Public Lands
Vaidehi Phirke- Round Rock, TX – Environment, STEM
Olivia Najarian- Dexter, MI – Women’s Access to Education
Claire Goodowens- Winter Park, FL – Eradication of gun violence
Kelly Qiang- Marlboro, NJ – Animal Welfare, STEM
Anna Schilling- Lake Bluff, IL – Environmental Stewardship
College Council
Abby Abrahamson- Rehoboth, MA – Fracking, Access to Menstrual Products/care
Camille Sylvester- Berkeley, CA – Environmental Stewardship
René LaPointe Jameson- Medford, MA – Environmental and Social Justice
The RSYC represent the youth voice of Roots & Shoots (and more broadly the Jane Goodall Institute USA) and help to grow engagement by sharing the vision of the program with the world. As a part of the RSYC, members gain professional development and support in further expanding and implementing their service projects, ideas and collaborations. RSYC members are provided with fun and comprehensive skills training including public speaking, storytelling, community mapping and service learning, and more. They also are provided with opportunities to mentor Roots & Shoots members and represent Roots & Shoots at events/conferences nationally and even globally as part of the RSYC Global Roots & Shoots Summit at Windsor Castle. RSYC members gain access to influential leaders, experts, and resources to help them grow their abilities. Through this program, members unleash their potential and become the compassionate leaders the world needs.
Through JGI’s Roots & Shoots program, Dr. Goodall and JGI empowers young people to improve their communities through service projects, ensuring that they become better stewards of the environment than previous generations. Roots & Shoots exists in over 60 countries around the world and all 50 states, growing a movement that’s good for all.
The Jane Goodall Institute is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.
