Julia Kaiser: Having made it her life goal to be a part of the movement towards clean energy and conservation from the roots up, Julia hopes to become an environmental scientist or environmental engineer to better the research and development around the state of our natural resources. The influence of the natural environment has been insurmountable to the development of her character and she hopes to protect and preserve that intrinsic connection with the outdoors for generations to come. Julia has worked as a forest intern for the NFA since her Junior year of High School and worked to clear forest trails and maintain land belonging to the trust including The Nettleton Preserve and Holcomb Hill Preserve. Julia will be attending Clark University this fall for her undergraduate degree then working to obtain a Masters in Environmental Science.

Veronica Martino: At the University of Scranton, Veronica will be pursuing a career in nursing while enrolled in an ROTC program with hopes of becoming a flight nurse in the military. Throughout her life she has been deeply involved in the outdoors and learning about conservation, especially the impact she has on the ecosystem as a hunter. This hobby has taught her to respect animals and their habitat and gain the knowledge on how different animals thrive. From shooting precision small bore and air rifle competitively, Veronica has learned how to stay focused, calm and disciplined.

Stuart D. Malone: Stuart attributes his passion for plants to many things in his childhood. As an avid runner, forager, amateur bonsai trainer, and explorer of town parks and national parks; he plans to study Plant Biology and Environmental Science at Skidmore College this fall. His interest in plants are not only about how they look or taste but discovering more into how they may hold future cures to disease, food insecurity, climate change, and have potential capabilities to change the world. A true outdoor enthusiast, Stuart is grateful for his community for saving him from COVID lockdowns and giving him resources to great nature trails in his area to explore.

Devin Herbstman: With the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Devin will be attending to the University of Vermont this fall. When asked how conservation and the outdoors has influenced his life, Devin expressed his belief that the most important issue our society faces today is climate change. He would like to pursue environmental studies because of his interest in learning about how climate change has an effect on wildfires and other environmental disasters with an addition interest in renewable energy.

Lillian Cusa: Attending Dickinson College in the fall as double major in environmental science and biology, Lillian plans on becoming a teacher in these subjects to encourage future generations to protect our planet. In addition to attending Masuk High School, Lillian attended the Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science and Technology Education Center all four years of high school in a dual-enrollment program. She discovered her genuine love for wildlife and our environment through being a running captain and educator at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.

Ryan Unger

Ryan was very active not only in extracurricular activities at Masuk High School but in his community as well. While maintaining his high level grades, he was involved in multiple leadership roles in several school activities and volunteered his time at Yale New Haven Hospital and Monroe Social Services; to name a few. Ryan enjoys fishing and hiking with his family and appreciates all aspects of conservation. At a young age he recognized the importance of habitat preservation and ran fundraisers with the Masuk Interact Club for the local animal sanctuary.

“I believe that the outdoor activities I have participated in have made me a stronger, more well-rounded person” -Ryan Unger

Qualifying as an AP Scholar with Distinction along with being inducted into multiple Honor’s Societies, we have no doubt Ryan will excel at Georgetown University with the intent to major in biology following a premedical track.

Presley Gurney

Growing up in Upstate New York, Presley grew very fond of times spent outdoors with her family.

“We have been taught from a young age that the environment provides a lot for us, but in order to take from it, we must give back in return” -Presley Gurney

Presley took her love for the outdoors and found a passion for running. She involved herself in a variety of activities including Track and Cheerleading to keep her close to that. At her high school, she instituted Study Buddies, a program that assigns high school students to a classroom to volunteer at. The excitement brought by the kids and her discovered love for early childhood education makes her the perfect person to pursue a major in elementary education.

Presley will be attending University of Connecticut this fall with the plan to graduate with her masters degree in elementary education and become a K-5 certified teacher.

Olivia Peterson

Olivia will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute this fall with the aspirations to become an engineer. She has recognized that the production of electricity is one of the leading contributors to carbon dioxide emissions and wants to join other engineers to improve and invent new systems to combat that.

In addition to her engineering pursuits, Olivia held leadership roles in the National Honor’s Society at St. Joseph’s High School and was inducted into multiple other National Honor’s Societies including ones for Math, Italian, and Art.

Olivia found an interest in conservation at a very young age through the Songadeewin of Keewaydin Summer Camps in Vermont. There she was introduced to outdoor sports and the camps taught her the importance of conserving parks.

“My foundation in the environment has led me to want to become an engineer to help stop climate change. Conservation, the environment, and outdoor sports have made me a stronger person and has formed who I want to be as I grow older” -Olivia Peterson