Meet the team

Ryan (he/him) is a sophomore at Carleton College and is studying Computer Science and Music. Inspired by his uncle's and his grandfather's passion for the environment, he started an environmental club at Fayetteville-Manlius high school. He then went on to become the community chair of the Town of Manlius' sustainability committee, Sustainable Manlius, for two years, during which he helped the town achieve bronze certification through the New York State Climate Smart Communities program. Now he is continuing his environmental activism through SCC and is grateful for the amazing community it provides.

Maia Chakin (she/her) is a sophomore at Hamilton College and plans to major in sociology. She started her work with environmentalism as a member, and then leader of the Fayetteville-Manlius highschool ECOS club. Maia has gone on to organize and act as a representative for local youth in support of solar projects through FM Youth for Climate Justice. She has also worked directly with her local government on environmental advocacy and policy as a part of Sustainable Manlius. Maia is grateful for the opportunities that SCC has given her and is excited to continue working with such a wonderful group of people.

Cade Cole (they/them) is a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA who plans to double major in English creative writing and Latin language with a minor in linguistics. They have been a Core Member of SCC for three years. Outside of SCC, they have participated in Fayetteville-Manlius High School’s Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students (ECOS), FM Youth for Climate Justice (FMYCJ), and Sustainable Manlius (SM). They have a passion for the rhetoric of social/environmental movements and will talk your ear off if you get them started on the language of change! Cade wishes they had the words to describe how valuable SCC and their fellow members are to them, and they appreciate all of the opportunities it has brought their way.

IMG-8911 (1) — Elena Pacheco (she/they) is currently a junior at West Genesee High School in Camillus, NY. She first realized her passion for environmental work in 8th grade when she founded FM Youth for Climate Justice (FMYCJ), which organized a climate rally in her town. Since then, Elena’s passion for community organizing and grassroots efforts has only grown. Over the past few years, she’s worked closely with town board members and local climate organizations to support grassroots campaigns for solar through FMYCJ, alongside several other SCC members. Elena is also an ardent member of her school’s environmental club, ECOS, where she hopes to inspire further local changes to better her community. The Student Climate Coalition has been a constant factor in Elena’s life through all of these adventures, and she is incredibly grateful for the community, support, and friendship it’s provided throughout the years.

Gia Verma (she/her) is a junior at The Wheatley school in Long Island, NY. She started getting into environmental activism when she joined the New York Youth Climate Leaders during her freshman year of high school, later becoming the Director of Operations for the organization. She has continued closely working with various organizations on climate policy and activism related actions. Gia is grateful for the community and opportunities SCC provides and excited to see what the future holds.