Learn more about the SELA YO 2024 Cohort.
Adijared
Adijared is from Cudahy in Southeast Los Angeles. She is a senior at Bell High School and an incoming Freshman at the University of Pennsylvania interested in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Public Health. What she enjoys about being outdoors is seeing beautiful plants and flowers and actually learning their names. In her free time, she likes to read poetry, do calligraphy, play golf, and sometimes take really nice pictures. She chose to be a part of SELA YO to learn more about her community’s environment and to be more comfortable with the spaces around her. With what she learns from SELA YO, she hopes to create a community garden in her house and or create more plants and crops that her family can use to maybe also cut down costs on groceries :,)!
Alisah
Alisah is from South Gate and is attending International Studies Learning Center High School. She enjoys being outdoors because it’s an escape from all the high stressors in her life, while also letting her embrace/enjoy what nature provides. During her free time, she is typically with her sister just talking or going out. She chose to be a part of SELA YO because she wants to feel more comfortable and reconnect with the outdoors. With what she learns from this program, she hopes to spread her knowledge in a way that helps others feel comfortable with themselves and the outdoors.
Candice
Candice is from Cudahy, Los Angeles and is currently a sophomore at Grand Arts High School. She enjoys being outdoors and having new experiences and connecting with nature. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her instruments including guitar, dancing, acting, making music, practicing photography, and writing things like scripts or books. She chose to be a part of SELA Youth Outdoors because she wants to learn more skills and spend more time outdoors. With what she learns from SELA YO, she hopes to share with others and use in the future.
Daniel
Daniel is from Huntington Park, Los Angeles. He attends the Libra Academy in the school of Linda Marquez. What he likes about being outdoors is the scenery and the fresh air. It helps him relax and have a peaceful mind. In his free time, he likes to workout in his backyard and loves listening to rap music. He chose to be a part of SELA YO because he wants more experience with the outdoors and wants to start building his resume. He also likes that he is able to get money while learning. With what he learns from SELA YO, he hopes to teach his family about nature when they are outdoors.
Diego
Diego is from Walnut Park in Southeast Los Angeles. He enjoys the freedom of the outdoors and how relaxing the atmosphere is. What he primarily does in his free time is go to the gym and weight lift. He chose to be a part of SELA YO as he wanted to be a part of a group of like-minded people who love the outdoors and want to explore nature in SELA. What he hopes to use from this program is to be able to educate others about what he learned from it and to pass on his knowledge of the outdoors.
Giselle
Giselle is from South Gate and is currently a junior in South Gate High School. Some things she enjoys about being outdoors is that she gets to spend time with her family, take pictures for memories, and overall feel at peace without using electronics. During her free time, she enjoys being with her little brothers and running track or generally exercising. She chose to be part of SELA YO because she thinks it is a great program and she wants to learn more about the outdoors, especially to spread awareness on taking care of the environment. From what she learns from SELA YO, she hopes to educate her peers and family about the areas around them and tell them about all the places they can visit and care for together.
Isabel
Isabel is from the city of Huntington Park. She is graduating from Linda Marquez High school this year and will be attending CSU Monterey Bay in the fall. What she likes about being outdoors is seeing how unique each sight is and feeling so free. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, crocheting, and going to the beach. She chose to be part of SELA YO because she would really love to organize a community project. What she hopes to take from this program is hopefully have the opportunity to introduce this knowledge with others.
Marcoantonio
Marcoantonio is an 11th grade student in International Studies Learning Center High school in South Gate. What he likes about being outdoors is being able to admire nature’s beauty and also being able to get away from electronics which allows him to freshen his mind. In his free time, he likes to play video games, and play football at his school. He chose to be a part of the SELA Youth Outdoors program because of his love for the outdoors. He hopes to use his learning from this program during the club he goes to from time to time, which is a gardening club in order to help the members in the club succeed more.
Montserrat
Montserrat is a senior from South Gate High School going to Williams College to double major in environmental studies and biology in the fall. The outdoors helps her with her mental health and she loves doing research and asking questions when out in nature. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends, and watching shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Gilmore Girls. She chose to be part of the SELA Youth Outdoors program to become comfortable in the outdoors and help teach her community about the importance and benefits of spending time outdoors. She hopes this program helps her in her future endeavors of completing research in the environmental science field.