PGC 2023

Yash Joshi (Member of Team Flauna Coenose), Jaipur Engineering College and Research Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Yash is a member of Team Flauna Coenose, a passionate group of BTech students from Jaipur, India. Members of this team are engineering majors who hold a collective vision of a greener, more equitable planet. Arnav’s innovative thinking has consistently pushed the boundaries of sustainability, encouraging them to explore creative solutions as a team. Yash’s unwavering commitment to eco-conscious practices remind his teammates that small actions can have large impacts. Vinit’s exceptional problem-solving skills enable the trio to turn ideas into actionable solutions. In their free time, Yash has a keen interest in sports, reading, and writing. Arnav Goyal is passionate about animation and graphics, while Vinit Kumar Sharma excels in writing poetry.

PGC is Ecstasy, Bliss, Cognizance, Revolutionize, and Sustainable.

Brianna Akuamoah-Boateng (Member of Team Water Buffalos), Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Maryland

Teammates Brianna and Sophia are members of the Global Ecology Program at their high school where their courses are framed around subjects related to environmental science and social sciences. Throughout their time in this program, they have become leaders amongst fellow environmental activists, and act as a dynamic duo when taking part in initiatives like PGC. 

PGC is Meditative, Exciting, Fascinating. Stimulating, and Challenging.

Samintang, Hasanuddin University, Luwu Timur, Indonesia 

A First Generation College Student (FGCS) from a small village in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Samintang is a multifaceted individual; taking on roles as a leader, speaker, content creator, social entrepreneur, researcher, full-time worker, peer educator trainer, environmental advocate, accounting student, and coach for public storytelling. She is driven by a deep passion for advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and the environment. Her aspirations include becoming a change agent, public sector leader, and CSR-Sustainability expert, aiming to disrupt inequitable systems and advocate for environmental justice.

PGC is Transformative, Inspirational, Educational, Empowering, and Memorable.

Shahed Anan Sajeeb, Jahangirnagar University in Dakar, India 

Shahed is a third-year student pursuing a B.Sc. honors degree in Environmental Sciences. Originally hailing from the Panchagarh district in the Rangpur division, Sajeeb’s academic journey is marked by a passion for environmental stewardship. Beyond academics, he is a multifaceted individual with a passion for music, dancing, and content creation on social media. His commitment to environmental causes is evident through his roles as an executive member in the Nature Conservation Initiative. This dynamic blend of academic focus, environmental advocacy, and creative pursuits defines Shahed’s journey as a conscientious student and an active participant in making positive contributions to his community and beyond.

PGC is Transformative, Inspirational, Educational, Empowering, and Sustainable.

Aiden Son, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto California, USA

Aiden, a student at Palo Alto Senior High School, has a passion for the outdoors, engineering, and composting. As a member of his school’s eco club, Aiden is constantly seeking opportunities to reduce waste and educate his peers on environmental topics. Prior to taking part in Project Green Challenge, he established vermicomposting bins at a local middle school as part of his Eagle Scout project to promote environmental education in his community. Project Green Challenge was his opportunity to educate himself on a variety of environmental topics and learn how to make a difference.

PGC is Fascinating, Educational, Challenging, Inspiring, and Transformative.

Manfred Lim (Team member Pathto2030), Jericho High School, Jericho, New York, USA

Manfred is a member of Team Pathto2030. With a focused interest in sustainability and earth science, Manfred has taken steps to contribute to the field. Researching at Cornell University, he has utilized machine learning techniques to predict global soil respiration rates. Outside of his academic pursuits, Manfred is an avid gardener with over nine years of experience in his own backyard. He joined Project Green Challenge alongside teammates Samyra Mahiba, Kimberly Wang, and Katherine Lee, with the aim of increasing awareness on both the international and community level. Looking ahead, Manfred aspires to launch his own environmentally-friendly business, aiming to contribute to a more sustainable future in the business world.

PGC is Enlightening, Inspiring, Memorable, Bonding, and Exciting.

Sao Mai Tara Jessop Nguyen (Team member 50 Shades of Green), Greengates School, Naucalpan, Mexico

Sao Mai is a Vietnamese-Mexican-British student at Greengates, an International-British School in Mexico City in her first year of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. As a child, Sao Mai developed a deep interest in environmental issues when she learned about the plight of her favorite animals – the polar bears. Knowing that her peers often worry endlessly about the state of her future, Sao Mai opts to serve as a source of knowledge and inspiration. Sao Mai firmly believes that every action she undertakes contributes significantly to creating a more sustainable world, and hopes to be able to use her privilege to aid those disproportionately and unjustly affected by environmental issues.

PGC is Educational, Inspiring, Fun!, Challenging, and Revealing.

Conrado Manuel Guzman Flores (Team member, Los Aprendices), Arizona State University, Mexico City, Mexico

While living and working in Mexico City, Conrado is pursuing his online Master’s degree focused on Sustainability Leadership at Arizona State University. An avid hiker and outdoor explorer, he, and his team Los Aprendices, are teaching others about the health benefits of hiking and the need to protect these landscapes. Conrado is most passionate about the conservation of surrounding forests and mountains to improve Mexico City’s welfare, and currently works in the sustainability, safety, health, and environment department of his company where he offers training to the agriculture division sales force, documents environmental legal permits on waste management and water, and participates in agriculture projects like a joint initiative to promote mixed crop systems for coffee growers in Mexico.

PGC is Transformational, Self Discovery, Purpose, Eyeopening, and Hopeful.

Shawn Stolting, Polytechnic College Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname

Shawn, an electrical engineering student, embraces all challenges as opportunities for personal growth and development. Apart from his academic pursuits at Polytechnic College Suriname, Shawn possesses a creative side as an artist employed at a prominent datacenter in Suriname where he serves as a web developer. Taking part in Project Green Challenge transformed and expanded Shawn’s awareness and passion for climate justice. He is now not only fully conscious of the critical issues surrounding climate justice but also committed to becoming a change-maker, advocating for his beloved country, Suriname.

PGC is Discipline, Consistency, Changemaker, Late-Nights, and Knowledge.

Anni Zhao (Member of Team Sustainabuddies), San Marino High School, San Marino, California 

Anni is a high school student with a strong passion for environmental science, chemistry, and STEM in general. She has gained environmental science knowledge from PGC 2023, and is looking forward to using the skills she improved on throughout the 30-day journey, such as campaigning, advocating, and planning, to implement changes for a greener, more sustainable future in her local San Marino community.

PGC is Reflective, Meaningful, Contentful, Refreshing, and Holistic.

Azure Kordick (Member of Team VeggieRex), University of Central Florida, Orlando Florida, USA

Azure is a native of sunny South Florida and is currently pursuing her academic journey at the University of Central Florida. She is majoring in Event Management with a minor in Public Administration and Leadership, showcasing her dedication to effective organization and community engagement. Her passion for crafting, music, and environmental sustainability reflects her diverse talents and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

PGC is Innovating, Challenging, Thought-Provoking, Rewarding, and Engaging.

Daniel Cirimwami, ISDR, Bakavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Daniel is a member of the PGC Campus Representatives team and has worked with the Turning Green team on global outreach to engage students in Project Green Challenge 2023. He is from South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a graduate student in Commercial Sciences, studying at the Higher Institute of Rural Development in Regional Planning. Daniel is trained in environmental management and the promotion of biodiversity.  Since 2021, he has been president and community development coordinator of the XR-EXTECTION group, which is movement of young people committed to the protection of wetlands and the fight against deforestation. His passion is to work in green entrepreneurship and he is committed to promoting Project Green Challenge project in his country and the entire world. He currently volunteers with the ANU club of ISDR/BUKAVU, Association l’entrepreneuriat vert in his spare time, from where he is a supplier of reused plastic garbage cans and vegetables in the city of Bukavu.

PGC is leadership. 

Gabrielle Fugate, Louisville Eastern High School, Louisville Kentucky, USA

Gabrielle has spent the last 30 days completely immersing herself in the themes of climate change. She has delved into research on a variety of topics and come up with creative solutions, ideas, and works of art that support the movement to combat climate change. When not working on Project Green, she works at a Fair Trade, USDA Organic certified coffee shop She encourages employees and customers to recycle their cups, pointing out the symbol on the lids when asked if they really are recyclable! She loves to read and write, especially about stuff she has a passion for, which is why Project Green was the perfect challenge for her. With an acceptance into the University of Southern Mississippi to major in Marine Biology, she aims to use this career to not only learn about the amazing life of the ocean, but also what she can do to save and explore it!

PGC is Immersive, Eye-Opening, Beginning, Innovative, and Changing