State: Tennessee
Years on RSYC: 2025
Zara combines her love for environmental advocacy and classical music to create meaningful
change.
Her project, WhatThePlastics.com, raises awareness about plastic pollution and funds
organizations addressing this issue.
Zara is passionate about combating plastic pollution. In fact, she says her family vacation
pictures often feature an extra member—a bag for trash pickup. Zara has also authored a
children’s book, distributed reusable grocery bags, and developed a research initiative to
improve recycling practices.
Outside of environmental work, Zara is a soprano at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of
Music and participates in clubs at her high school. She also enjoys rock climbing and baking.
A quote that inspires Zara is “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am
changing the things I cannot accept.”