Bethesda Green’s Environmental Leaders Program is an experiential school-year long sustainability program for high school seniors in Montgomery County, MD. Meet our 2022-2023 Environmental Leaders!
Shawn Malluwa, Seneca Valley High School, Class of 2023
In a world suffering under rampant climate change, environmental technology is our only way of mitigating future disaster. I joined the Environmental Leaders Program to better understand what I can do within my community to support our local environment. I major in aerospace, and hope to help develop eco-friendly aircraft in an industry which contributes immensely to carbon emissions, and hope to use the opportunities I receive through the Environmental Leaders Program to further understand what’s being done within the aviation industry regarding climate change.
Blog Post: Climate Solutions Now Act: Why Scrutinize Carbon Capture? | Listen to the Podcast Episode Here.
Spring Project: Compile information on the effects of sea level rise on a region within the Chesapeake Bay and visualize it through an interactive 3D web experience.
Sarah Siegle, Good Counsel High School, Class of 2024
I am very enthusiastic to be a part of the environmental leaders program because I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and want to protect native ecosystems and biodiversity. I’m particularly interested in incorporating native plants into the landscape, finding ways to reduce my ecological footprint, and studying birds as a key indicator of the health of the environment. I am excited to implement ways to combat climate change and focus on hope in my own community through the Bethesda Green Program.
Blog Post: Leave the Leaves | Listen to the Podcast Episode Here
Spring Project: Pollinator Garden planting at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School
Matthew Smith, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Class of 2023
My name’s Matthew and I’m excited to see what I can accomplish by working with Bethesda Green this year! I have recently become very interested in sustainable city development, which includes making sure everyone has access to safe, low emission transit. I would love to encourage such transit and aide in its implementation here in Bethesda. Aside from that, I have always enjoyed spending time in nature and am ready to work towards a more sustainable future!
Blog Post: Biking in Bethesda: What Does the Future Hold? | Listen to the Podcast Episode Here.
Spring Project: I will be applying the Complete Streets policy to existing streets in the Bethesda area. To represent this, I will make small scale models of the streets before and after having the policy applied. Extra information can be included about each specific change and its impact on the functions of the street.
Livi Sonne, Walt Whitman High School, Class of 2023
I am very excited to be a part of Bethesda Green’s Environmental Leaders Program. I am passionate about protecting the environment and can’t wait to do my part in making local change. I hope I can apply what I learn working with Bethesda Green to my future career and continue working to protect the environment. Outside of the environment, my passions include running, hiking, swimming, and painting.
Blog Post: Discrimination and Air Pollution
Spring Project: I will create a 5-episode YouTube series on the Potomac River.
Maya Wiese, Walt Whitman High School, Class of 2023
With climate disasters in the news so much, my generation is thinking hard about solutions that begin in our own schools and community. I’m so excited to be an Environmental Leader this year, because I have so much to learn about sustainability and community organizing. In the next few years, I’m hoping to study new energy technologies. I am also an avid soccer player, hiker, and graphic designer.
Blog Post: Montgomery County Tackles Heat Inequity Through Heat Mapping Campaign
Spring Project: Poster presentation on the Urban Heat Island Mapping project completed in summer 2022 by Montgomery County.