Hallie T. W., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Since the day she could walk, she could run. She would run barefoot, alone or with a friend. She grew up with sunlight on her face, wind in her hair, all trees to climb and the laughing of the stream over rocks or moonbeams caressing her face and stars reflecting in her eyes. Sometimes solitary but never alone, she wandered her home, the whole world. One year of learning, one of friendship, one of writing, one of realization and one of horrible truth came to pass. And then one of hope. Of nature, and happiness, and eagerness, and wonder. She has seen the damage of hatred, experienced the ignorance as seeds of anger. She knows the beauty a mind and face can hold, when others only look upon the crippled body. She knows how peace and love can spread, and she wants to help.

Hallie lives in Sandia Park, the East Mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with two adopted siblings and two mothers. She enjoys reading, writing, camping, traveling, learning about the environment, its people and animals, playing imaginary games, volunteering for wonderful causes, learning from nature and losing herself, pretending that she is one with her surroundings.

Akilah S. R., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Akilah, although new to Roots & Shoots, has led environmental projects for more than six years, organizing trash cleanups, making posters, working a lemonade/cookie stand to raise funds for an animal shelter and attending numerous conferences and water festivals citywide. One of her major accomplishments was designing and making a recycled book bag for herself and, with a friend, raffling off four of the bags to raise funds for orangutans. She also enjoys digital art, photography, harp, guitar, Celtic Band, theatre crew (Thespian) and karate (black belt). Possible career paths for Akilah include photography or communications for an environmental organization, although her dream job is studying African elephants in Tanzania.

Ali F., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ali lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her mom, dad, and younger brother.  She is currently a junior at St. Pius X High School. She is involved in many groups at school and in the community.  She is part of the Make A Difference Club and she has started a world hunger project called Kids Against Hunger.  Ali worked with Kids Against Hunger when she was in 8th grade, and she loved the project so much that she brought it to her high school in 2008-2009. The whole school worked hard to raise $12,000 and was able to package 132,000 meal bags that where delivered to hungry children worldwide.  This year the St. Pius X community will do it again! With a goal of $15,000, Ali hopes to lead the school in a bigger and better year of feeding the hungry.  Ali has also worked with a local dog rescue, Lap Dog Rescue, by fostering dogs that need special attention.  She makes sure that all the dogs find love and a home.  In her spare time, Ali likes to read, draw, write, photograph, hang with her five dogs, and she enjoys going to see the local Lobo volleyball games and Isotopes baseball games.                 

Philip S., Salt Lake City, Utah

Philip’s interest in environmental preservation started at an early age. In sixth grade, Philip first got involved with Roots & Shoots and he has been an enthusiastic participant ever since, working in conjunction with the Westminster College Environmental Center. Philip initially worked on his local community problem solving team “S.P.U.N.K.E.” (Stop Polluting Utah’s Naturally “Klean” Environment) and has continued to be an activist for the clean movement in Utah. Philip spent his past summer volunteering in Latin America with “Amigos de las Americas” teaching lessons about environmental stewardship to local youth. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, camping, and competing in “Magic: The Gathering” tournaments. Photographed (above left) with friend from the Amigos de las Americas program (above right.) 

Dana P., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dana Paine is a freshmen attending Albuquerque High School and is very excited to be a part of the Four Corners Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council. Having lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico almost her whole life, she loves the community and wildlife in New Mexico and all is surrounding areas. Service learning has always been important in her life, and she is currently most involved in projects that use hippotherapy (using horseback riding to help kids with disabilities) form stronger communities and bonds. She loves to read, write, listen to and play music, horseback ride, and spend time with wildlife and animals.