Environmental Protection Agency

Today started bright and early with a trip to the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters. This trip mostly consisted of listening to lectures from various EPA employees. We learned about the many positions within the EPA and how the employees got there. After returning to Mason, we watched an AWESOME presentation  from the ACE organization about climate change and what we need to do to save our planet. The presentation was exciting and interactive, but also very touching. After learning about climate change, I'm very interested in creating an environment club in my school to see what changes we can make. At 7 pm we broke into several groups to attend presentations by various George Mason Faculty members. The presentation I watched was about the steps being taken to improve the sustainability of dining at George Mason. We then regrouped to learn some tips about college admission applications from Mason's very own undergraduate admissions officer. The day was jam-packed and I can't wait for tomorrow....after a good night's sleep anyway.

Smithsonian National Zoo

The second day of WYSE was spent at the Smithsonian National Zoo, and was devoted to the conservation of wildlife. After breakfast with some great new friends, we loaded the buses (all 284 of us) and headed to the zoo. For the first few hours we wandered the zoo checking out the animals including lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) and MANY more. After lunch, we broke up into group sessions where we learned from different experts on a specific aspect of wildlife conservation. I attended Dr. Dan Moore's speech on endangered polar bears. Dr. Moore was very passionate and had many great ideas for conserving energy and helping the depleting polar bear population. We then had a panel discussion with several zoo experts including a curator, researcher, veterinarian, and keeper (all employees at the zoo). They were all very informative and had some great stories to share! We finished the day with a moonlight tour of the Washington Monument, WW2 Monument, and Lincoln Memorial.

First Day of WYSE

So today I arrived at George Mason for theWYSE! After arriving on campus, I picked up my room card and i.d., set up my internet, unpacked, and met my awesome roomate:) The hundreds of blue WYSE t-shirts roaming campus were intimidating at first, but after meeting some new people and making friends, I couldn't be more excited to be here. Once everyone was settled, we headed off to dinner with our color groups (I'm a purple), ate some great food, and listened to Davey Rogner, campaign director of Pick Up America, give and inspiring speech on the importance of connecting with our environment in order to better the planet. He stressed that producing less waste and re-using the waste we have is key to producing a cleaner planet. After hearing Davey's passionate speech, I can't wait to meet the speakers yet to come. That's basically it for today, and I would like to thank Holly Nunn (my big sister) and Zack Golden for helping me get settled in at George Mason.

More Family Donations!

I would also like to thank my Grandpa Exum and my Uncle Hank for their generous donations towards my D.C. trip. As the Conference approaches, I am more and more thrilled to have the help and support of my family and community.

Higgins Stables Can Donation

I would like to thank Higgins Stable for a donation of pop bottles and cans worth $110! I have been riding at Higgins Stables for over a year and am so proud to have their support.

Natural View Market

Natural View Market, in downtown Brighton, made a generous donation towards my trip earlier this week! Natural View sells whole foods, natural remedies and supplements, and all natural beauty products, along with much more. My grandma, my mom, and I have been shopping at Natural View for years. They have tons of great products that you can feel good about using. Again, I am loving the support from Brighton businesses! I can't wait to represent this wonderful town when I head off to D.C.

To learn more about Natural View Market, visit their website at: http://www.naturalviewmarket.com/

Cook and Hayden Vision Care Center

Cook and Hayden Vision Care Center, of Brighton, also decided to sponsor me earlier this month! My family and I have been going to Cook and Hayden for as long as I can remember, and all of my reading glasses have come from their office. They are always very helpful and I am glad to have their support. I am continually amazed at the support I am receiving from Brighton businesses. I was born and raised in Brighton, and I am so thankful for all the local support!