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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