HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (KPB) have proudly announced the cohort of Young Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 program. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of community stewards and civic leaders focused on maintaining the state’s ecological health. The Young Ambassadors program is a strategic effort to empower young Pennsylvanians to actively participate in creating and advocating for cleaner and more beautiful communities.
Chosen through a rigorous selection process, these students have committed to a nine-month tenure where they will be immersed in activities designed to enhance their civic leadership skills. Running from September through May 2025, the program will see participants engage in efforts that champion cleanliness and sustainability across the state. The initiative not only focuses on environmental stewardship but also seeks to instill a sense of responsibility and leadership in the youth.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll emphasized the critical importance of such programs, stating, “Programs like Young Ambassadors are the first step in creating lasting impact on Pennsylvania’s ecological health. These students will go on to become decision-makers and steer the state’s green future. Starting now is critical.”
In alignment with the program’s goals, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has committed to awarding at least two $1,000 scholarships. These scholarships are aimed at seniors within the program, both current and alumni, to further encourage their educational pursuits in environmental and civic fields.
Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, expressed enthusiasm for the new ambassadors, saying, “We are proud to welcome this new slate of Young Ambassadors to our program and excited to provide opportunities for them to engage and activate within their own community. Together, we will explore and connect with young professionals and like-minded students from not just Pennsylvania, but across the country and make a positive impact in our shared communities.”
The 2024-2025 Young Ambassadors hail from various schools across Pennsylvania, each bringing unique perspectives and ideas to the program. The list of ambassadors includes:
- E. Yocum, 12th grade, Westinghouse Arts Academy, Allegheny County
- Ghizal Halim, 11th grade, Bensalem Township High School, Bucks County
- Zackery Laubach, 12th grade, Bellefonte Area High School, Centre County
- Alexander Calalang Gutierrez, 10th grade, Conestoga High School, Chester County
- Noori Choudhary, 11th grade, Unionville High School, Chester County
- Sonya Patel, 12th grade, Downingtown STEM Academy, Chester County
- JD Reyes, 12th grade, Oxford Area High School, Chester County
- Hannah Harvey, 11th grade, Susquehanna Township High School, Dauphin County
- Isaiah Khan, 12th grade, Susquehanna Township High School, Dauphin County
- Erica Rainford, 11th grade, Ridley High School, Delaware County
- Layani Watson, 10th grade, Penn Wood High School, Delaware County
- Anvitha Vallabhaneni, 10th grade, Garnet Valley High School, Delaware County
- Naba Hassan, 11th grade, Penn Wood High School, Delaware County
- Gnana Ananya Desireddi, 11th grade, Fairview High School, Erie County
- Holden Siegler, 12th grade, Fairview High School, Erie County
- Masa Alkhudari, 11th grade, Fairview High School, Erie County
- Samaira Karmarkar, 12th grade, McDowell High School, Erie County
- Silvia Kang, 10th grade, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, Erie County
- Annamary Oslikova, 11th grade, Waynesboro Area Senior High School, Franklin County
- Soo-Jin Callahan, 10th grade, Waynesboro Area Senior High School, Franklin County
- Marissa Hedin, 12th grade, Waynesboro Area Senior High School, Franklin County
- Ava Spencer, 11th grade, Purchase Line High School, Indiana County
- Emily Claps, 11th grade, Valley View High School, Lackawanna County
- Joy Beckish, 10th grade, North Pocono High School, Lackawanna County
- Kaitlyn Priest, 12th grade, Lakeland Jr/Sr High School, Lackawanna County
- Peyton Martin, 11th grade, Lakeland Jr/Sr High School, Lackawanna County
- Edie Hann, 10th grade, Scranton Preparatory School, Lackawanna County
- Shrey Singh 11th grade, Lampeter Strasburg High School, Lancaster County
- Alexia George, 11th grade, Methacton High School, Montgomery County
- Kumba Tonguino, 11th grade, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Montgomery County
- Olivia Sellers, 11th grade, Perkiomen Valley High School, Montgomery County
- Jaclyn Keyser, 12th grade, Perkiomen Valley High School, Montgomery County
- Callum Dormer, 10th grade, Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy, Schuylkill County
- Emmet Portland, 11th grade, Nativity B.V.M. High School, Schuylkill County
- Miranda Burkot, 12th grade, Nativity B.V.M. High School, Schuylkill County
- Ravit Patani, 10th grade, Peters Township High School, Washington County
- Shrehan Patel, 10th grade, Peters Township High School, Washington County
- Brett Anthony, 11th grade, Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Westmoreland County
- Emily Lori, 12th grade, Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Westmoreland County
- Kathryn Trautmann, 12th grade, Franklin Regional Senior High School, Westmoreland County
Participants will receive education and training on several critical topics, such as litter impacts, waste management, recycling, and civic engagement. The program also covers important aspects of public policy and volunteer management, equipping students with comprehensive knowledge and skills. Furthermore, ambassadors will be given the opportunity to apply for job shadowing experiences with leading companies like DOW, Inc. and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania/NiSource, allowing them to gain firsthand experience in sustainability practices.
To support their involvement, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will provide stipends to cover time and travel expenses for these young leaders. This initiative aims to highlight the commitment of PennDOT and KPB to foster a culture of environmental consciousness and leadership among the youth of Pennsylvania, ensuring a sustainable and cleaner future for all residents.
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