New York City Public Schools Celebrates Students, Teachers, And Staff At The Climate Leadership Awards
NEW YORK – Last week, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) celebrated the Climate Leadership Awards at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, honoring over 150 educators, staff, and students who are championing climate solutions in schools. All winners were nominated by the Office of Energy and Sustainability staff, along with partner agencies and community-based organizations that work with schools on environment education.
This award ceremony comes on the heels of a recent major expansion for opportunities to lead on climate solutions through the Youth Climate Action Grant. This grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies is given to 300 cities across the globe and is designed to engage young people in municipal climate solutions while building capacity, organizational sustainability, and trust between youth and city government.
For the first time, NYCPS will invite high school students to apply for grants of $1,000 to $4,000 to support student-led climate projects. Grant recipients will also receive technical support and opportunities to share their projects with City leaders, helping students turn their ideas into action and build experience as climate leaders. The Youth Climate Action Grant adds to NYCPS’ existing portfolio of opportunities for youth climate leadership. Through the Office of Energy and Sustainability’s Youth Leadership Council, high school students from across the City advise on and advocate for inclusive sustainability and climate action in their schools and communities.
“Climate Week is an opportunity for school communities to come together and discuss the positive differences we can make in our environments," said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. "Sustainability and climate action gives our young people the knowledge, confidence and sense of responsibility to help shape a healthier, more sustainable future. I am so proud of all our students and staff being honored today."
At today’s award ceremony, students, teachers, food service workers, custodial staff, principals, and central office staff were honored for their daily contributions to sustainability and climate action. These efforts include working to save energy and reduce emissions, shift school culture toward recycling and composting, and champion projects like school gardens, Open Streets, and community nutrition programs. Some winners have spent years embedding environmental stewardship into school culture while others are being recognized for organizing students-led sorting support during lunch, to highlight a few.
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Nicole Beinhorn
Tracy Cashin
Vincent Hyland
Stephen Kassan
Elijah Nishiura
Hannah O'Connor
Chris Ramsaroop
Aramis Rodriguez
Ray Torres
Juliet Ulman
Hannah Welt
Jessica Chi
Novelette Foote
Zachary Itzkowitz
Rob Markuske
Jonathan Pellerin
Ebony Phaire
Lynn Tiede
Adam Zaid
Aaron Bell
Beatrice Del Ponte
Maria Diangco
Colin Marshall
Jimmy Reinicke
Jasmine Rogers
Amy Rothman
Shacona Sammy
Jackie Davis
Sean McFadden
Shakira Provasoli
Deborah Reich
Jonathan Schulman
Sarah Slack
Sara Babich
Everbell Boampong
Antonella Caccioppoli
Francesca Capobianco
Sharon Forero
Domonique Glover
Anna Goldman
Teresa Hooks
Deise Kowalksi
Yanel Leroux
Rebecca Lew
Alison McNally
Soleil Sabalja
Jennifer Shapiro
Helene Sorkin
Raka Spoerri
Tawana Vasquez
Mindy Anichich
Robert Dodd
Tyler Donnelly
Julie-Ann Fallon
Amy Goldstein
Marion Howard
Stephanie Kadison
Ellyn Kerr
Katherine Marte
Joslyn Matthews
Sarah McDowell
William Petrowitz
Ebony Russell
Joseph Shimonov
Margaret Small
Kim Velez
Michael Watts
Milosz Balcerzak
Gillian Beckford
William Carroll
Anna Fung
Ricardo Garcia
Sam Goldberg
Louis Granato
Grecian Harrison
Letty Hernandez
Stephen Hudson
Pierre Moise
Ramesh Narayan
Robert Keener
Chris Yulfo
Jeremy Amar
Brenton Be
Vincent Bianco
Melissa Browning
Hanaa Butcher
Heather DeFlorio
Maura Flanagan
Lauren Ginsberg DeVilbiss
Jilian Ingberg
Shah-Parvez Jamal
Ross Lefebvre
Andrew Margon
Raina Panagiotopoulos
Jenn Rodriguez
Lynn Shon
Anthony Smith
Marie Suchan
Sylvanus Ribi
Cynthia Turnquest-Jones
Kerry Walsh-King
Karli Woods
Tristan Wright
John Zembrycki
Andy Zimmerman
Paul Arguelles
Stephanie Blumenstock
Richard Capozzi
Vanuzia Coyle
Matthew Digiacomo
Jan Gerard Bacayo
Diana Lennon
Paul Magliocco
Charles Mazzotta
Amy Melnik
Ryan Mitchell
Jordan Negus
Pablita Nicholson
Tereze Prozhmi
Scott Rittenhouse
Chen S.
Chrisula Sartzetakis
Yori Scarlett
Gustave Trombetta
Doris Williams
Emilio C.
Kevin C.
Matylda M.
Ayah T.
Juniper W.
Krish W.
Additionally, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, New York State will require climate education for middle and high school students. This requirement will provide opportunities for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world issues and develop skills for navigating a complex and changing world.
Climate Week NYC, which began on September 20th, is the world’s largest climate event and brings together thousands of people to drive meaningful global climate action.
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