The Save the Sound’s Environmental Health (EH) Ambassador Program is a two-month program that provides up to eight selected high school participants with lessons and activities that teach the history and principles of environmental justice. Focusing on the basics of civics and community organizing, the students and instructors collaborate together to learn and understand the key principles needed to create change in the community.
Designed for high school students aspiring to careers in environmental or social justice, this program delves into national and international systems before applying that knowledge to addressing local challenges. Analyzing the U.S. Constitutional Amendments and Bill of Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Principles of Environmental Health are components of the curriculum that help familiarize the students with the guidelines of how action is taken.
Students also discuss the importance of shared identity and the needs of human rights. Ambassadors apply these analytical skills to examine historical events like red lining and segregation, linking past systemic inequalities to modern-day environmental injustice such as large, industrial companies dumping their waste chemicals in minority communities.
Additionally, monetary stipends of $400, certificates of accomplishment and letters of recommendation (upon request) are provided upon program completion. The program includes six weekly 90-minute remote sessions, two in-person visits and a graduation, spanning eight weeks from March through May with one meeting each week.
Although the program was open to applicants from Eastchester, Larchmont, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham and Yonkers, all selected participants were from Mamaroneck High School. All members of the 2028 Original Civil Research Action (OCRA) cohort, the selectees are Eli Herz (’28), Olivia Martin (’28), Emma Rosen (’28), Eve Brennan (’28), Zella Mitra (’28) and Hadley Hall (’28).
After four sessions, Rosen shared that her favorite part of this program is “being enriched in knowledge in a topic that I am so passionate about and getting the chance to improve my advocacy skills which is super critical in the OCRA program. I am learning so much about the connection between the government and the environment through this fascinating program.” Rosen also encouraged others to apply in the future.
Additionally, Martin shared that “going into this program, I thought that we would be talking about climate change protests and water quality. However, we really analyze how historical issues contribute to environmental impacts today. Making these connections is really interesting and I have never taken a course like this previously.”
Next year, be sure to apply for the Save the Sound’s Environmental Health (EH) Ambassador Program to grow as a student and person and obtain the skills needed to make a real-world impact.
