Paulina Z. Enlightens Students About Environmental Awareness
Recently, Paulina Viera Zambrano conducted an informative session on environmental importance at Donaldson Way Elementary in American Canyon. Ms. Zambrano engaged a class of second and third graders, along with their teacher, Mrs. Jona Sandau, shedding light on the concept of the "environment," its significance to all living beings, and the ramifications of climate change on our lives. (Photo: Paulina teaching in the classroom)

Following her presentation, Ms. Zambrano fielded questions from the eager students who actively participated in the session.

"The children were highly engaged, demonstrating attentive listening and posing insightful questions," remarked Paulina. "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was evident that the students did too," she added.

Mrs. Sandau also expressed her admiration, stating, "Paulina delivered an exceptional presentation, and the students were fully immersed in the lesson. I'm delighted that they had the opportunity to be part of the Sierra Club's initiative to educate young minds about climate change and environmental protection."

One of the primary objectives of the intern program is to consistently deliver educational sessions to students across the Napa Unified School District each academic year. Currently, Napa County boasts four Sierra Club student interns, with two from American Canyon High School, and one each from Napa High and Vintage High. The aim for the 2024-2025 school year is to expand this number further. Watch an excerpt of Paulina's lesson on our YouTube channel, here.

Paulina was also asked to be a part of MCE's *Because of Youth Leadership Spotlight, and is featured on their website. You can access her wonderful interview here.

Second Year Student Intern Liliana Karesh Has Been Extremely Busy.
As Co-President of Napa Schools for Climate Action, she helped pass an important Climate Resolution with the Napa Valley Unified School District in April.

She also was a part of MCE's *Because of Youth Leadership Spotlight and has an interview published on their website, here.

Also, MCE produced a great video of both she and Allison Bencsik, the other Co-President of Schools for Climate Action, describing how they are fighting for climate action. It can be found here.

Earth Day in AmCan High School.
Napa Sierra Club student interns Kate Bit and Maia Medalle are pictured as they prepare for the American Canyon High School’s (ACHS) Earth Day activity held Monday, April 22 during lunch time.   

Ms. Bit and Ms. Medalle, both sophomores at ACHS, are also student interns for the Redwood Chapter’s Napa Group.  They spoke to students during lunch in the high school quad area about Sea Level Rise, the Sierra Club, and what students can do individually and collectively to help preserve the American Canyon Wetlands, so vital in protecting against sea level rise in the North Bay.

Ms. Bit and Ms. Medalle were joined by the Napa Resource Conservation District in answering questions from students about Earth Day.  The event was hosted by the high school’s Environmental Club.

Lastly, a brief update from Eva Payelo (left), our student intern from three years ago, entitled, My Journey.
My journey of discovering my love for the environment was a very fun and explorative one. However, the place where I was able to let that passion shine through the most was with the Sierra Club Group as an intern.

I began my internship during my sophomore year of high school. While there, I volunteered for environmentally-based events, worked on several projects, and continued working on my podcast, which was centered around facts about the environment and how we, as a community, can be more sustainable. 

Overall, I learned how to be a good leader, how vital strength in numbers is, and how to advocate for what I believe in. Even though I am no longer an intern, the work I did alongside the others at the Sierra Club Group and all the knowledge I acquired during that time has continued into the present. I am now a graduating senior on my way to UC Davis to study Molecular and Microbiology. And the Sierra Club Group is one of the many factors that helped me get there.

I am looking forward to the future, for my own and the next generation of youth, and what they have to offer regarding the fight for sustainability.