State: California
Years on RSYC: 2025
Ray channels his environmental vision into tangible community action.
Ray’s primary project, “Bags 4 Benches,” addresses recycling gaps in his hometown.
Through this initiative, his team collects plastic waste, transforming it into benches for local schools. Impressively, they’re 90% of the way to their goal of collecting 1,000 lbs. of plastic waste. With his Roots & Shoots club, Ray also spearheaded a creek clean-up project, removing 12 large trash bags of waste and raising awareness about waterway pollution. Next up is a trail restoration project.
Outside of Roots & Shoots, Ray shapes policy as a student commissioner on the Calabasas Environmental Commission and finds joy in surfing, snowboarding, and hiking. He’s also active in Model UN, where he explores his passion for Indigenous issues. He plans to pursue environmental policy in the future, merging academic excellence with ecological stewardship.
Ray’s dedication to inspiring others to action is clear: “I hope to connect with other environmental leaders worldwide to represent the younger generation of Roots & Shoots.”
