Quinn Jones

Jamestown, Rhode Island

Quinn recently finished her first-year at Dickinson College with a major in environmental science. During this time, Quinn was a part of the Dickinson Outing Club and a member of the exec board. She also assisted Admissions working with prospective students as a member of Tritons, the college ambassadors. 

ESSYI was one of the most inspiring times in my life, helping me to dive deeper into a subject that I was previously only able to dip a toe into. The program helped me to find the motivation to improve myself and the impacts I leave behind. Being a part of ESSYI allowed me to make connections with like-minded students who had similar interests. Some of my favorite parts of the program were the hands-on field experiences, such as going on the boat on Seneca Lake to look at water samples and aquatic microorganisms. This program opened my eyes to a whole new view of the environment.

An important takeaway I learned was that I have to take action into my own hands if I want to see changes. ESSYI inspired me to do something in my own local coastal community. I had the opportunity to be an intern for a local non-profit called Clean Ocean Access. Through this organization, I helped run beach cleanups, tested water samples, and created a anti-balloon campaign. This project was created to bring awareness to the impact of balloons being released into the environment. With my time with COA, I even helped ban the use of single-use plastic bags in parts of Rhode Island. It was my experience in ESSYI that inspired me to make positive changes and even helped me to open doors that I never thought possible. 

Celia Darling

Rochester, NY

Celia Darling is going to be a first-year at Clarkson University majoring in Political Science with environmental minors. Celia enjoys hiking, camping, wheel thrown pottery, and serves as the Director of Finance for the New York Youth Climate Leaders.

ESSYI was a dream. It was the first time in my life I was surrounded with like minded, beautiful, Earth loving humans. Together we spent two glorious weeks learning about all the little ways to help our planet. I gained something from every lecture and hands on experience in the program as well as every person that was a part of it, many who I still keep in touch with on a weekly basis. The quote that summed it up for me was “you are someone and never underestimate the amount of positive change you can create.” Using this quote and the knowledge from ESSYI I was able to work for 7 months with local youth to pass a Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee in my county and work with the New York Youth Climate Leaders lobbying for statewide legislation like divestment in NYS. I was able to create positive change in the world due to the knowledge, experiences, and friends I gained through ESSYI. 

Ulia Ahn
Arlington, VA

Ulia is currently a senior in high school I spent her pre-junior summer at ESSYI. She does synchronized swimming, plays the viola, and loves to watch Netflix in her spare time.

I had no expectations as I drove onto campus on the first day of the program but little did I know that I would get to spend the next two weeks with some of the most generous, kind, intellectually stimulating people I have ever encountered. The counselors were energetic and welcoming to me the moment I got out of my car. Everyone was busy organizing for the day but they all still had the time to say hello to me and direct me around the building. The same happened with the other students; it seemed like ESSYI not only gauged and admitted students of academic excellence, but also open-minded friendly ones too. I made friends right away who were from around the country and across the world. Much of this occurred in the first two hours of the program, and we had not even had dinner yet.

The classroom experience at ESSYI was so unique because it was not the same lecture/seminar style each day. During some classes we played games, or watched videos, or held debates, yet everything was crucial to our understanding of environmental issues. After having attended ESSYI, my biggest takeaway was realizing that sustainability is applicable in all disciplinary fields. Also, the opportunities to demonstrate leadership and interest in and outside the classrooms were plentiful.

I am thankful for the ESSYI experience that not only enriched my mind but also my soul as I left with friends from all backgrounds, mentors/counselors from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and ideas and concepts that have sparked my own way of thinking and lifestyle.

Anna juarez
indian land, sC

Anna Juarez attended ESSYI in 2018. After high school, she plans to major in Environmental Studies and Biology with a focus on an Environmental Law. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, going to shows, reading, writing, and exploring new hobbies.  

“I can confidently say that participating in ESSYI was one of the best experiences I had in high school. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I was nervous about spending two weeks with strangers, let alone living, camping, and learning about environmental studies with them. Mostly I was wondering, “why take 14 days out of your summer vacation to do something educational?” Looking back now, I wish those two weeks would have been longer. I made amazing friends from many different places. I had the opportunity to speak with some really bright and talented faculty and students. And, I was able to get a glimpse of what a great school HWS is. I think anyone could walk into ESSYI knowing nothing about Environmental Studies and walk away with a new fascination and appreciation for the discipline and our world."

NOLA SMITH
SIMSBURY, CT

Nola Smith attended ESSYI in 2018. She is currently a senior at Simsbury High School and will attend Oberlin College for environmental studies and chemistry. She runs the Earth’s Advocates club at school and loves to dance, play the violin, rock climb, and golf. She also does her best to appreciate the nature around her by always remembering to say good morning to the sun before rushing off to school.  

“ESSYI has changed my outlook on life in so many ways. It has given me knowledge that I use daily, that I think about daily, and that connects to literally just about everything. When we are discussing environmental issues and solutions, there comes a point during class that you are just overwhelmed with the realization that what we are talking about is so much bigger than the environment, but rather we are talking about the interconnected complexities of our society and the world at large. It gave me a totally new way of looking at my actions and my place in the world. I feel so at peace in nature and ESSYI has given me to power to fight for our planet. 

I still flip back on my notes from my journal almost daily because it is filled with such valuable information as well as so many wonderful memories. I will never forget the silent hike and how I cried all the way down because I didn’t want to leave such a beautiful place with such beautiful people who loved the earth just like me. My journal has now been converted into my nature journal where I continue to reflect on the world around me because it means too much to let go. I know that it is a journal that will continue to travel around the world with me and once it is filled up, I have another one just like it waiting for me.” 

MINAMI KATAOKA
JAPAN

Minami attended ESSYI in 2016 and is currently a student at International School of Asia, Karuizawa in Japan. After high school, she plans to study at Waseda University School of International Liberal Studies with an emphasis on languages and environmental studies. In her free time, she often takes a moment to walk outside to feel the connection with nature and practice yoga and meditation. Minami found her interests in creating space where nature and human beings live harmoniously by using the knowledge of environmental architecture during ESSYI.

“ESSYI gave so many 'firsts' to me --- I went to the US, studied environmental studies, experienced having no Japanese people around me, and many other experiences for the first time in my life. The silent hike on the first day of the camp was one of the most memorable experiences for me because it was the moment when I really felt the inseparable connections between us humans and nature; while I was walking, I heard the sound of leaves rustling and birds singing, felt the fresh breeze on my cheeks, and saw a ray of sunlight coming through the trees. The trees, the soil, the sunlight, the animals, the humans... That moment, I realized 'everything' is connected. Interacting with all the teachers and friends with diverse academic pursuits inspired me to study what I had never studied before such as architecture and chemistry, and stimulated my interest in learning at liberal arts colleges. Now I have decided to go to a university in Japan which offers liberal studies and I cannot appreciate my experiences at ESSYI enough because I grew my interests in learning through interdisciplinary studies to be able to suggest a better way to live harmoniously with nature there.”

DAVID VINYALS SALES
CATALONIA

David attended ESSYI in 2016 and is currently studying Biochemistry in the University of Barcelona. In his spare time David enjoys training running mountain, playing piano, learning languages and taking photographs. He was part of an ecology project in the Pyrenees and wrote a scientific paper about the ecological state of his town's river.

"ESSYI has been a life-changing experience; it would be so hard to explain all its positive aspects in a paragraph. Not only has it taught me a lot about the environment, but it also has made me grow as an individual. I value a lot having learned to analyze a subject from different points of view and notice that the environment is not only science, but also politics or ethics, for instance. In addition, I realized how important is the step of taking action instead of just worrying about something. I want to thank staff for being so inspirational, encouraging, sincere and funny at the same time and express my gratitude for having met such wonderful people."

will palmieri
south salem, ny

Will attended ESSYI in 2015 and is currently a junior at John Jay High School in northern Westchester County, New York. Will’s interests lie within political science and international affairs, as well as environmental policy. In his free time, Will competes on his cross country running as well as track and field teams, and loves to hike in his local state parks and nature preserves. He is a trumpet player in his school jazz band, and participates in Mock Trial and Model United Nations. He is an editor and writer for his school-run blog and newspaper, and is president of his school Sustainability Club. As well, he participates in environmental advocacy groups such as Citizens Campaign for the Environment–Lower Hudson Valley chapter, as well as Westchester Environmental Coalition at WESPAC.

“It’s a daunting task to decide on the most important thing I gained from my ESSYI experience, what with the incredible friendships I’ve made, the informative and thought-provoking discussions I’ve had with professors and teachers, and the priceless hands-on fieldwork and research opportunities made available to us. Throughout my experiences at ESSYI, however, I discovered the importance of unity and collaboration. The power of the individual is undeniably great, and essential for catalyzing environmental change. But today’s complex issues, especially with regard to the environment, are truly multi-faceted and multilayered. Today’s environmental challenges require that individuals of different disciplines and interests are unified under a common passion for the environment and sustainability. And ESSYI helped me realize that we can develop viable solutions to these ever-increasing problems if we harness the unique talents and passions of each individual for the common good of our planet. In other words, ESSYI has ultimately helped me to not only further my passion for environmental studies, but seek collaboration with others who share similar concerns, so that our social and political voice is intensified–which is ultimately what is required to spark real environmental action.”

julia russel
madison, wisconsin

Julia attended ESSYI in 2015, the summer before her senior year of high school at West High School in Madison, Wisconsin. She enjoys volunteering with animals, participating in social justice clubs, and playing music. She loves hiking, climbing, camping, and pretty much anything outdoors.

“ESSYI was an incredible experience. I learned so much, made amazing friends, acquired new skills, and got so much inspiration for my future. Before going to ESSYI, I knew I wanted to pursue something in the environmental field, but I had no idea how I could do this or what was really out there for careers. Going to classes ranging from Environmental Philosophy to Green Architecture made me realize that there are so many routes I can take within the environmental field. I wrote about many of these experiences in my college essays, and I now feel more secure with regard to my future. I would recommend attending ESSYI if you are thinking about an environmental career or just love learning more about the outdoors and our relationship with the environment!”

kim oswald
geneva, ny

Kim attended ESSYI in 2014 and is currently a Junior at the local Geneva High School in Geneva, New York (not far from the HWS campus). She is an active member of the school’s Envirothon and is routinely involved in the newspaper and band (clarinet section leader). Kim is is also the swimming coach for the Keuka Kokanees and a Youth Elder at her local Church.

“ESSYI was the highlight of my year. It was so much fun because it was a good mixture of work and play – the sessions were all so informative and fun that it didn’t even feel like a classroom. The staff were also really nice. ESSYI really helped me decide that I want to go into the environmental field. Thank you for such an amazing opportunity.”

marti recort
Cornella De Llobregat, Spain

Marti attended ESSYI in 2014 and is currently a Senior at the Institut Francesc Macia High School in Spain. He enjoys exploring laboratory research and routinely attends workshops at Spain’s Institute for Research in Biomedicine. Marti also participates in international exchange programs including the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona and the XLAB in Gottingen Germany.

“I think ESSYI is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the environmental field and meet people who appreciate similar things. It has been a really good experience for me and I have made some really good friends along the way.” 

Eliza Hilfer
Chappaqua, NY

Eliza attended ESSYI in 2014 and is currently a Junior at Horace Greeley High School in New York City.  She volunteers for the School’s science lab and has a strong interest in the environmental field. Eliza has also been involved in college science experience programs including Genesis at Brandeis and Hotchkiss Summer Portals.

“I would recommend ESSYI to my friends and peers. I think it was a great way for me to explore the many environmental fields. I had previously only considered forestry or green architecture as a career path, but this gave me a lot of ideas on the policy side and helped me understand the role I can play in improving the environment as an individual.”

Jordan Chow
Chappaqua, NY

Jordan attended ESSYI in 2013 and is also currently a Senior at Horace Greeley High School in New York City. He is a leader and is very active at Greeley. He is the founder of a club called ‘Trail Mix.’ Trail Mix is a group of rugged individuals whose focus is on helping local parks maintain their trail systems. He is actively involved in the Student Conservation Association and has also also started a campaign to minimize the use of disposable plastic bottles on his campus. He enjoys group dynamics and intends to continue perusing the fields of environmental science and policy.

“I would recommend ESSYI because it has been such a fun learning experience for me that I want to share it with others…they (staff) were are super fun to be around, and always had the answers to my questions… (ESSYI) has helped change my viewpoint and has given me new knowledge to implement in my daily life. ESSYI will change your view on the world and the environment…it will make you more aware of your impact, and jump start a path to advocacy for sustainability.”

Ariana Nicholson
durham, nc

Ariana attended ESSYI in 2013 and is currently a Senior at the Carolina Friends School in North Carolina. She is an active Girl Scout and participates in many school-related environmental awareness programs. Ariana was recently part of a planning team and a key speaker for an event called ‘March for Our Planet’ a climate action march in Raleigh. She also had a role in developing a ‘Consenesus on Climate Change Declaration’ for her school that was eventually presented to law makers in Washington D.C.

“I aspire to become an environmental educator in some aspect, and attending ESSYI has allowed me to see a wider view of teaching styles, as well as environmental topics. I definitely did learn about the environment at ESSYI. And being with many international students was an experience within itself. In general, it has allowed me to have more perspective on college, education, the environment, and the world. I am glad I went.”

rushy panchal
clifton, nj

Rushy is a Senior at Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey. He is an active member of a robotics club that took 2nd place in a state-wide competition involving virtual robotics. He is a member of the national ‘Junior Honor Society’ and enjoys spending time outside to balance his laboratory pursuits.

“It was a very unique and changing experience, and I learned a lot that I would not have been able to elsewhere. I made a lot of new friends who like the same things I did. I also learned how crucial our environmental predicament is. It is a lot of hard work and I had to push myself (both mentally and physically), but in the end it was worth it.”