2024 - 2025 INTERNS & COORDINATORS
Sofia Carrasco
Youth v. Oil Co-Lead
Pronouns: she/her
Sofia has always been passionate about protecting our planet, and works currently as Youth v. Oil’s Co-Lead. She is a student at Canyon Crest Academy and hopes to fight for a more just future for youth and humanity as a whole. Sofia believes that the environment is one aspect of our world that everyone can relate to, and intends to assist the climate movement through local policy, action, writing, and awareness.
Taarika Sethee
Youth Volunteer Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Taarika is a Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, focusing on recruiting and welcoming new volunteers. She is currently a freshman at Canyon Crest Academy and hopes to get more youth incorporated with all of the youth programming. She has always been very passionate about nature and animals, which steered her towards environmental activism. Taarika’s achievements in public speaking and love for teaching students led her to this role. She emphasizes the importance of youth involvement since this will be their planet in the future.
McGarrah Wilson
Youth4Climate Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
McGarrah became passionate about the environment from a young age when experiencing poor air quality, polluted waterways, and lead-contaminated drinking water growing up in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Environmental Studies and has worked with youth in a variety of fields from running a leadership training program to working in youth mental health. As the Youth Program Coordinator, McGarrah activates and empowers the next generation of climate leaders and believes youth are the future of the climate movement.
Azul Bay
South Bay Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Azul, a South Bay intern, is a current senior at Sweetwater High School and has grown up with a passion to invest her efforts for a healthier earth. From cleaning up trash on the floor at her elementary school to starting an Eco Club in her junior year of high school, Azul has found the importance of starting small to do big things. She is a first generation hispanic student who will work alongside teachers at her high school to incorporate a clean energy curriculum into her classmates’ learning environment, in hopes to spark a sense of urgency and care for their communities. And as a youth intern working for SanDiego350, she aspires to build excitement amongst others for a cleaner and brighter future.
Frida Vergara
South Bay Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Frida is the South Bay Intern for Youth4Climate and a senior at Bonita Vista High School. Growing up near the border in Tijuana as a Mexican-American and first-generation student, she witnessed firsthand the effects of pollution and environmental neglect. These experiences sparked her passion for climate justice, specifically for frontline communities that are often overlooked in environmental conversations. In her role, Frida works alongside teachers at her high school and gives input on the development of a clean energy curriculum that educates and empowers youth to raise their voice against environmental injustice seen in their communities.
Sophia Medina
South Bay Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Sofia is a dedicated South Bay Community Liaison Intern, where she works passionately to empower her generation through education and advocacy. She works behind the scenes at her school, Hilltop High, to review and refine a clean energy curriculum with the help of student feedback. With a strong commitment to environmental justice and community engagement, she hopes to leave a lasting impact by helping others learn the importance of clean energy and how to take action to better our environment.
Sydney Chan
Youth4Climate Intern
Pronouns: she/they
Sydney was the Youth4Climate intern for two years and went to Canyon Crest Academy. As a young person involved in the movement, they urged their peers to find their voices and take action. During her time as the Youth4Climate intern, she onboarded new members and planned events & actions. By channeling community power into organization, they created an impact within climate activism and its further intersections. Sydney also volunteered on the Youth v. Oil Campaign. They discovered the strength of collective power in the social justice movement and reoriented their activism to ensure their efforts are intentional and effective! Sydney is currently attending NYU and plans to double major in Public Policy and Social & Cultural Analysis.
2024 - 2025 Volunteer Leadership
Daryn Tarasewicz
Youth v. Oil Legislative Liaison
Pronouns: she/her
Daryn is a freshman at Canyon Crest Academy. Since joining Youth v. Oil in September of 2023, she has been speaking with government officials, tabling at and helping plan events, and making public comments at various city councils around the county. As a hardcore treehugger, she has an unwavering love for nature and learning. Through advocacy and outreach, Daryn aims to connect these two things to inspire the next generation’s wave of passionate activists for a sustainable future.
Diego Sandoval
Youth v. Oil Media Lead
Pronouns: he/him
Diego is a senior at Eastlake High School where he first discovered his passion for Urban Planning and Environmental Justice. Diego can often be found biking or using public transit to get around San Diego, and is also meticulous about his pinterest board organization- this led to him combining his passions to use media as a way to educate and also demonstrate to others how youth CAN make an impact. As the president of his schools eco-club, Youth 4 A Sustainable Future, and founder of his neighborhood composting program, Diego is no stranger to community organizing. Being someone who is always looking for a way to help others, Diego is thrilled to have found YVO, hopeful to inspire others while doing good in his community.
Sophia Tada
Youth Volunteer Lead
Pronouns: she/her
Sophia is a senior at SDVS and the founder of the Environmental Action Club at her school. She loves connecting with and learning from those around her. She hopes to engage fellow youth and foster a collaborative spirit in a shared enthusiasm for environmental advocacy as a volunteer coordinator and editor of the blog.
Maria Echevarria
Youth Volunteer Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Maria is currently a junior at Hilltop High School. As a first-generation Mexican immigrant, Maria hopes to educate and inspire Hispanic and Latinx communities to take action and get involved in issues that affect them, from environmental discrimination to poorly-designed housing that puts many low-income communities of color at risk. Maria is deeply interested in public policy, joining Youth v. Oil and the Polluters Pay campaign to learn more about the legislative process and climate justice. In her free time, Maria loves to read, participate in her school’s Mexican Ballet Folklorico team, and help spread awareness about violence against women and help women in need through her own women-focused organization.
Miles Wakeham
Youth Website Editor
Pronouns: he/him
Miles is a freshman at Canyon Crest Academy. He started helping lead a climate action club at his elementary school in 3rd grade, and he attended his first 350.org march at the age of 4. He manages the websites of 2 non-profit organizations and enjoys being able to help not only from his computer but out in our communities. Miles joined Youth4Climate in early 2025 and is excited to continue building meaningful change with hopes of leaving a significant and positive impact on the environment, our planet, and the people on it.
Kobi Schneider
Youth v. Oil Federal Policy Lead
Pronouns: he/him
Kobi believes that climate change is the biggest existential threat facing our world and is passionate about implementing policies to prevent the worst impacts. He is a junior at La Jolla High School and Co-President of the La Jolla Environmental Action eco-club. Kobi previously co-ran the Vote for Climate Campaign, urging adults to vote for candidates and policies that prioritize climate. He now leads our federal policy work.
Maya Schonian
Youth Volunteer
Pronouns: she/her
Maya is a current sophomore at Point Loma High School. San Diego’s abundance of natural lands and parks has always been a part of her life, from beach days, swimming, to hiking and running trails, wherever and whenever. As an ongoing volunteer for cleanups on Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach, San Diego River, and the Famosa Slough, she has built an interest and appreciation for nature. Maya’s goals are to expand community action and form connections with people who also share environmental passion.
Ashley Ramirez
Youth4Climate Media Lead
Pronouns: she/her
Ashley has lived in five different places across Mexico and now in the United States. Moving so much has shaped the way she sees the world and made her more aware of the issues we face, especially when it comes to the environment. Since she was little, she’s felt a strong pull to help the planet. Seeing wildfires, pollution, and climate change affecting places like the Arctic made her feel sad, but also motivated her to take action. That’s why being part of SanDiego350 means so much to her. It gives her confidence and hope to be surrounded by people who care just as much and are working toward real solutions.
Xavier Guel
Youth Volunteer Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him
Xavier is a sophomore at Hilltop High School and serves as a Youth Volunteer Coordinator for Youth4Climate and Youth v. Oil. He is passionate about health justice and how it intersects with climate action, recognizing that environmental issues such as pollution, extreme heat, and climate disasters can impact community health. Through his work, Xavier is dedicated to uplifting youth voices, building awareness, and advancing equitable climate solutions that protect both people and the planet. He hopes to inspire others to join the fight against climate change.
ALUMNI INTERNS & COORDINATORS
Abby Costello
Youth4Climate Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Abby is a senior at Hilltop High School. She has worked with SD350 as a public speaker, planner, and social media representative. Living in Chula Vista her whole life, Abby believes that the community deserves more education and representation in the climate justice movement. Through this internship, Abby hopes to extend awareness and opportunities for climate activism to her community, and to serve as a voice and representative for Chula Vista youth. She also serves as the first youth advisor on Chula Vista’s Sustainability Commission, a paid staff at South Bay Sustainable Communities, working to reduce food waste and donate saved food to the community, and president of Hilltop High School’s Youth 4 A Sustainable Future Club.
Daniel Hernandez
South Bay Community Liaison Intern
Pronouns: he/him
Daniel is the South Bay Community Liaison Intern and a senior at Bonita Vista High School. Growing up as a first generation Mexican American, Daniel understands the need for the South Bay to unite against climate injustice. As the South Bay Community Liaison Intern, he will work alongside teachers and give input on the development of a clean energy curriculum. Daniel hopes to connect with students and build enthusiasm for a clean climate future by leading student activities outside the classroom, and encourage students to bring clean energy conversations to friends and family.
Emma Weibel
Youth v. Oil Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Emma is a history and politics lover first and foremost. She is extremely passionate about the intersectionalities of the climate movement and fighting for a more just future. She is currently leading Youth v. Oil and is the president of her high school eco club: La Jolla Environmental Action. Her various roles throughout her time at Youth4Climate have helped shape her place in this movement: as a communicator and the girl behind the megaphone.
Rami Kabakibi
Youth4Climate Intern
Pronouns: he/him
Rami went to Torrey Pines High School and is extremely passionate about the environment and believes the climate crisis is the single biggest threat to his generation’s future. He participated in sustainability initiatives at his high school and school district, and co-led Youth4Climate’s 2023 Waves of Change Summit. He finds hope and motivation in connecting with like-minded and passionate youth through Y4C, and will continue to engage with San Diego’s environmental community by planning events, actions and other opportunities for his generation to unite in the fight for their future. Rami now attends UC Berkeley.
Megan Phelps
Youth4Climate Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Megan developed and lead SD350’s Youth4Climate Program for youth climate leaders through June, 2023. In spring of 2021, she graduated with high honors as a Regents Scholar from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management. At UC Davis, she founded and led a climate action club, and she continues to pressure the administration to end its reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Megan also worked at the Climate Psychology and Action Lab at UC San Diego, where she researched how to inspire collective action for climate justice.
Abby Deckert
Former Board Member, Former Youth v. Oil Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Abby led the Youth v. Oil campaign, working to stop oil fracking in California through rallying, advocacy, and meeting with local elected officials. Abby is currently a senior at Santana High School where she runs the Climate Action Club aiming to educate their community on the climate crisis. Abby co-led the 2023 Youth4Climate Earth Day Campaign, helping high schools across San Diego County to organize impactful Earth Day events. She is very passionate about connecting students through activism and believes it is vital that as youth we fight for our future against the climate crisis. She now serves as a Board Member for SanDiego350.
Xavier Holmes
Youth4Climate Program Coordinator
Pronouns: they/them
Xavier led SD350’s Youth4Climate Program to help develop the future leaders of the climate crisis. They built efficacy and meaningful connections within marginalized communities. Additionally, they had many years of experience coordinating volunteers to help serve the d/Deaf and Disabled communities in Pittsburgh. As a young climate activist at the University of Pittsburgh, they worked with grassroots organizations to pressure the university to divest from fossil fuels, and conducted research to highlight the consequences of the school’s environmentally racist practices within Black communities. They supported SD350’s mission to foster a safe and inclusive environment for youth from all walks of life, ultimately making the effort to save our planet more accessible for everyone.
Maddie Chesebro
Youth v. Oil Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Maddie coordinated the Youth v. Oil campaign, a part of Youth4Climate, which works with elected officials to pass legislation that encourages a just transition from oil reliance. She was a senior at Granite Hills High School, and is hoping to major in Environmental Policy/Sociology in college. Maddie ran her school’s Environmental and Social Justice Club and co-led the 2022 Y4C Summit, along with her social media managing work. She is extremely passionate about making every voice heard and uplifted, and is excited for her future in climate related work. Maddie now attends UC Berkeley.
Theo Martien
Eco Club Coalition Intern
Pronouns: he/they
Theo worked to develop and expand Youth4Climate’s coalition of environmental and social justice oriented clubs. They went to Mt. Everest Academy, where they ran a social justice club. As an intern, Theo cultivated a community of climate leaders and fight for climate justice. Theo now studies at Columbia University.
Alessandra “Alli” Dangio’
College Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Alli worked to build and support the High School Climate Action Education Project. She helped create lesson plans, educational activities and action opportunities for teachers and students in high schools located in environmental justice communities. She was a first-year at San Diego Miramar College, where she has been studying Anthropology and Environmental Policy and Economics. She views climate change as the biggest threat to global justice and equity, and hopes to combat its negative effects through uplifting and centering the voices of historically marginalized people, who for too long have been on the frontline of environmental issues.
Evalyse Estradaflores
Communications Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Evalyse went to and was an Eco-Club president at Otay Ranch High School. Evalyse worked to develop an engaging and inspiring communications plan to inform, inspire, and engage the Youth4Climate community. Through her love of public speaking and content creating Evalyse focused on expanding Youth4Climate’s audiences and captivating their enthusiasm for climate action! She empowered her generation to take action in protecting the planet! Evalyse now attends UCLA.
Keala Minna-Choe
Board Member, Youth v. Oil Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Keala worked to phase out fossil fuels and advocate for a just transition to renewable energy. As a youth, she believed that helping fight our current climate crisis is the best way to help preserve her future. As the Youth v. Oil Intern, she worked to design resolutions for students to call upon the CA Governor to stop issuing new oil drilling permits and create a comprehensive plan to phase current oil sites out. Keala went to Canyon Crest Academy and learned about how she could make the world a better place. She also served as a Board Member for SanDiego350. Keala now attends UT Austin.
Lexi Rueff
Chula Vista Youth Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Lexi works to understand the interests and skills of Y4C volunteers and get them engaged in the work. Lexi has been an enthusiastic part of Youth4Climate since 2020. Lexi graduated from Indiana University in 2017, where she double majored in Spanish and Comparative Literature and minored in Anthropology. She recently graduated from a Sustainability Leadership masters program at Claremont Lincoln University. She is passionate about the ocean and plastic pollution and is proud to be part of the youth-led climate movement!