The R&S California Youth Leadership Council (CAYLC)
CAYLC members with Roots & Shoots staff at the Day of Peace 2010 celebration
Council Mission: To work to strengthen the Roots & Shoots California community by providing leadership and guidance as dedicated youth ambassadors.
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CAYLC Members
Sarah
Valley Glen, CA
Sarah became a part of Roots & Shoots when she was invited to attend the Roots & Shoots California Youth Leadership Summit (CAYLS) 2010 in Dana Point, CA. It was during the CAYLS that she realized she’d found a group with which she could share her intense passion for animals and the environment. Before and since, Sarah has been involved with the Eco Club at her school, working to increase the popularity of recycling and general environmental conservation there and in her community. She hopes to continue her involvement with environmental issues, and plans one day to attend medical school.
Dolan
Redway, CA
Dolan first gained interested in Roots & Shoots when a presenter came to his school to speak about the program. During his sophomore year, Dolan’s Biology teach inspired him to become passionate about the environment, and ever since then he has been looking for ways to make a difference. Dolan is currently a Junior in South Fork High school, where he is in charge of making his school use more sustainable energy. Dolan is excited to join the CAYLC and through his participation with the council he hopes to become a more active member of his community.
Nhi
Santa Monica, CA
For the past two years, Nhi has advocated for marine environments as a member of Santa Monica High's Roots & Shoots group, Team Marine. This year, she also oversees the research initiatives of a community-wide grocery store survey. She has participated in multiple beach clean ups, collected hundreds of recyclables to raise money to purchase and send water-purifying Life Straws to Africa and Cambodia, and helped organize large student marches through the city streets to promote reusable bags and beverage containers. Nhi plans to major in biomedical engineering and continue participating in Roots & Shoots in college.
Jackie
West Hills, CA
Jackie, a member of The Zumers Roots & Shoots group located in Malibu, California, is a proud asset to the California Youth Leadership Council. Since first getting involved with R&S a couple of years back, she has attained a growing passion for most of the goals that the organization aims to execute. Issues concerning environmental awareness, global politics, and international racial interaction have become some of her most focused topics. Jackie’s continuous interest in situational observation followed by appropriate action is what makes her so pleased to be one of the lucky few to work on the CAYLC. One of the greatest areas that Jackie feels she can contribute to the CAYLC is through her creativity, in which the council provides countless opportunities to do so. She is always excited to see what the council’s next duties are, and ready to make a substantial difference in the world.
Carina R.
Mecca, CA
Carina is a senior at Desert Mirage High School. She has been involved with Roots & Shoots for about two years, and is going into her second year as a member of the CAYLC. She is vigorously involved with community service, and is also very interested in solar energy and the conservation of all life. In addition to her community involvement, Carina also participates in volleyball and track. Carina is is thrilled to be part of a youth led group that is trying to make change.
Jerry
Walnut, CA
Jerry is a junior at Walnut high school and a member of the on-campus Eco-club called Environmental Care and Global Awareness (ECGA). This is his first year on the CAYLC and also as a Roots & Shoots member, and he is excited to learn from the Roots & Shoots community. The ECGA R&S group is a large and active club of 192 members. ECGA R&S projects include paper and plastic bottle recycling and a new program with Valley Vista to try and recycle the paper trays that thousands of students use everyday. Jerry’s group hopes to organize an environmental education assembly with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), so that other students can become more aware of the issues that exist and the ways in which they can help.
Robyn
Perris, CA
Robyn has been on actively involved in Roots & Shoots for three years, and this is her second year on the CAYLC. She is a part of the Roots & Shoots group Green Fiends at Nuview Bridge Early College High School. Robyn is very dedicated to making a positive impact, not only for the environment, but also for humanity. At school she has learned about economic, social, and environmental issues that she has grown very passionate about. Having an up-close and personal view of these obstacles has led Robyn to ponder many issues and work toward addressing them. Robyn is grateful to Roots & Shoots for giving her the tools needed to succeed and become a better leader. Robyn enthusiastically enjoys learning and exploring new things. She looks forward to another wonderful year on the CAYLC.
Ryan
Montebello, CA
Ryan became familiar with Roots & Shoots through his active volunteer work with the Los Angeles Zoo. Throughout his years at the Zoo he has developed a passion for animals and the environment. At the LA Zoo, Ryan has the responsibility of educating patrons about the importance of conservation efforts and the role different species have in their ecosystem. Ryan is the student leader of the LA Zoo’s Roots & shoots program, and has become involved with various projects, including the Year of the Gorilla Cell Phone Drive and a pen-pal program with Uganda. Ryan is also Vice President of his school’s Green Earth Club, where he started a new Roots & Shoots group. Ryan is excited to be on the CAYLC, and he looks forward to being an active member in the council and spreading the word about Roots & Shoots throughout his community.
Zelanna
Nuevo, CA
Zelanna Sessions is a Junior at Neview Bridge Early College High School where she is involved with sports, running track and cross country, playing volleyball, and even playing girls football! She enjoys all kinds of outside activities like trips to the beach, and she hits the slopes with her snowboard whenever she gets the chance. She is very adventurous and energetic, and uses these qualities to the advantage of the various causes she feels are important. She enjoys participating in events that benefit other, such as beach clean-ups and helping to plant trees in her community. Zelanna cares a lot about people, the environment and animals and uses her creativity to find ways to fix the problems in our world at a local level.
Alumni Advisors
Emily
El Cajon, CA
Emily has been an active member of Roots & Shoots for the past 8 years and has enjoyed being a part of this special community. She was involved with the middle school group Rancho San Diego Roots & Shoots for 5 years, before moving on to high school. Now she and fellow CAYLC member Laurel have started their own group at their old elementary school, Jamacha Roots & Shoots. Emily loves how by running a club for youth, she is able to prove that you can make a difference, regardless of your age. She served two years on the CAYLC, and is still active as an advisor member. Emily also participates in the National Youth Leadership Council.
Laurel
Spring Valley, CA
Laurel was in third grade when she first became involved with Roots & Shoots, working with the Rancho San Diego Roots & Shoots group. Through this experience she gained an understanding and passion for helping people, animals and the environment. Laurel went on to start and co-lead the 'Go Green' Jamacha Roots & Shoots, with fellow CAYLC member Emily, a group that has continued to inspire youth for the past three years. After two years on the CAYLC, Laurel is now one of the CAYLC advisory members and is excited to work at this new level of leadership!
