As someone who identifies as a change-maker and advocate, a topic that I am always excited about is anything sustainability-related. Whenever anyone around me mentions sustainability, my ears perk up, and I get excited to share my thoughts. While on a bus for a field trip, I sat next to my friend. After some conversation, they asked a question about plastics. I turned on what I like to call “Jukebox Mode”. He asked what my opinion was about bioplastics and sustainable alternatives. My response was very long, about 30 minutes. By that time, our bus ride was over. If I had no limit for words, I would write a whole book about this, but in short, I told him that while bioplastics are better for the environment, they are not all that better. Why would we use the limited arable land for single-use items when we have a whole ocean? That land could grow crops that could help solve the hunger crisis. Or what about the CO2e from potato and corn farming? Seaweed is a much better option that has uses for plastics and food. Sustainability excites me because I love the environment and need to protect it. I feel it is my responsibility to create change and fix the mistakes that have come before me. To me, success means making the world a better place. It means leaving the world better than I found it and making an impact. I don't care about what car I'll drive or how big my house is. My success is finding joy in victories to create a better world. Whether it’s influencing policies, educating others, or helping businesses adopt sustainable alternatives, I measure my success by the tangible improvements I bring to the environment and society. My passion lies in ensuring that sustainable materials, like seaweed-based alternatives, are widely adopted and that businesses see their value beyond just an eco-friendly label. Going to college is a step toward success, and this opportunity will provide me with the tools to afford college and create change. Every dollar counts, and if I want to create the most change, I need the best education. But the best education is not just about academics. It is about surrounding myself with like-minded individuals, gaining hands-on experience, and developing the skills necessary to bring ideas to life. By pursuing higher education, I will deepen my understanding of environmental science, business strategies, and policy-making to implement real-world solutions. Through my work with WayZero, my advocacy organisation, I have already taken steps to drive change in the sustainability sector. WayZero has partnered with NotPla, a London-based company, to introduce their seaweed-based packaging solutions to the U.S. market. We are working to become their North American distributor and scale the adoption of these sustainable alternatives. This experience has taught me the importance of persistence, collaboration, and adaptability in creating change. However, to maximize my impact, I need further education and resources to refine my strategies and expand my reach. This opportunity will help me build on my current efforts by providing access to mentorship, funding, and educational opportunities that will enhance my ability to lead sustainable initiatives effectively. It will allow me to connect with experts in the field, learn from their experiences, and apply that knowledge to real-world challenges. Additionally, it will give me the confidence and credibility to advocate for policy changes and influence decision-makers on a larger scale. Ultimately, success is not about achieving my goals but empowering others to join the sustainability movement. I want to inspire people to make conscious choices and show them that small changes can lead to significant impacts. Whether through public speaking engagements, community outreach programs, or business collaborations, I am committed to fostering a culture of sustainability that transcends generations. In conclusion, success means creating a world where sustainable practices are the norm, not the exception. This opportunity provides the resources, knowledge, and connections to turn my passion into actionable solutions. With the right support, I can continue my journey as a change-maker and advocate, ensuring a better future for our planet and future generations.

The sand crunched beneath my small, four-year-old feet as I looked around in confusion. My family had just finished dinner at a new Italian restaurant, and we decided to walk along the beach to catch the sunset. The sky was painted with dream-like shades of reds, blues, purples, and oranges, reminding me of the double sunset scene from Star Wars: A New Hope. But something was wrong. Even though I didn’t fully understand at the time, I knew what I was seeing wasn’t right. The beach was littered with trash—old car tyres, plastic bottles, and flip-flops strewn across the shore. A half-buried tyre held a lifeless seagull. This disturbing scene was not uncommon in Libreville, Gabon. My family had moved there just before my fourth birthday, and while Gabon is one of the world’s most beautiful countries—home to lush old-growth forests, mandrills, gorillas, and rare flowers—its beaches were plagued by pollution. Looking back, I realise this was the moment my journey of caring for the environment began. Over the next twelve years, my passion for environmental conservation only grew. I learned as much as I could, but I soon realised that knowledge alone wouldn’t change anything. I needed to take action. That’s when I started seeking out opportunities to make a real impact. Eventually, I found my calling: eliminating single-use plastics from both the waste stream and, more importantly, from human bodies. I founded WayZero with a mission to create a plastic-free world. As I grew, so did my vision. My goal expanded to not only promoting zero-waste products and policies but also offering advisory services to drive sustainable change. At first, my efforts were met with a lot of resistance. I heard “no” after “no.” No one wanted to discuss zero-waste, and few were willing to take a young kid seriously. But I didn’t give up. After countless rejections, I finally got a “yes.” A national company gave a 16-year-old me a chance to advise them on entering a new market. I poured everything into that opportunity, and it led to a debut at a Portland Trail Blazers NBA game. That success opened doors, and soon, we were working on a full launch in San Diego. Then came a breakthrough—SB 1053, a bill banning plastic grocery bags. I lobbied hard for it, contacting state politicians and making my case for why it mattered. On September 22, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law. It was a victory for me, California, and beyond. Reflecting on that evening in Libreville, I realise that the sight of that polluted beach still drives me. Every step I take is not just for me but for the people of Gabon, California, and the global community. This is my purpose—serving the world and fighting for a sustainable future.