State: New Jersey
Years on RSYC: 2023–2026
Jessie is an inspiring environmental advocate who is committed to connecting her community through meaningful projects.
For her RSYC Fellowship, Jessie is creating support materials for college-level Roots & Shoots groups so that they can make an impact just like her own college group. Additionally, Jessie is managing the slate of invited speakers for RSYC meetings and serving as mentor for Council members.
As the previous president of the University of Tampa Roots & Shoots group, Jessie spearheaded the BeaUTiful Art Gala, which calls for improved recycling practices on campus. The event combines education, creativity, sustainability, and community as high school and college students are invited to submit pieces of sustainable art for a prize. Jessie also organized a food drive for her local community, combining her dedication to service with her organizational and leadership skills.
Jessie also worked with nearby Eckerd College to host a competitive beach clean-up competition between the two schools. Working with the Keep Pinellas Beautiful organization, Jessie and her partners collected over 300 pounds of trash as tracked in the REMORA app. Jessie emphasizes how fun this event was, and hopes that it continues into the future.
A recent college graduate, Jessie earned her degree in Marine Science-Biology. She is currently working in the New Jersey state park system and volunteering at the New York Aquarium with plans to pursue graduate school. A self-proclaimed pop culture nerd, Jessie enjoys reading, watching movies, and listening to music. She also loves to visit museums and shop at farmers markets.
Jessie looks back on her Roots & Shoots experience and shares, “I fell into Roots & Shoots. College Freshman me was so scared to try new things, and I am so proud of her for trying something new and falling in love with it.”
