Lexie Han, a senior at CHS, donates her time to a local organization called Youth4Climate, as well as fostering dogs for Helen Woodward Animal Center. While managing school and college applications, Han still strives to make time for giving back to her community.
Since 2020, Han and her family have been fostering dogs in an attempt to help them find their forever homes. Han explains that these animals come from shelters that don’t have enough space to care for them. If it weren’t for Helen Woodward and volunteers like Han, there would be no place for these pets to go.
“They are committed to education, and saving lives of orphaned pets,” Han said. “Their motto, ‘People helping animals and animals helping people’ represents the center’s mission and what attracted me to help.”
While given a role with the responsibility of educating young, aspiring leaders, Han attempts to spread information about Youth4Climate through different clubs and organizations at Carlsbad. By speaking to relevant clubs such as Ocean Club and Animal Advocacy Club, she was able to share more ways that students can contribute to conserving the environment. For example, attending the city council meeting for the Polluters Pay Campaign.
“I participate in weekly online meetings for specific groups, such as Youth v. Oil, Media team and Youth4Climate,” Han said. “I was given the role of Educational Lead, an opportunity to do more for Youth4Climate. I have talked to several clubs at Carlsbad High about Youth4Climate and the opportunity to contribute to a legislative effort at our local city council.”
While many people were negatively impacted during the Palisades fires, Han felt that it was equally important to repair the wildlife and the environment impacted by this massive destruction. As a part of her club on campus called Animal Advocacy, she organized a donation drive for the animals affected by the fires.
“The LA fires were a wake-up call for me to become active in community improvement and environmental lobbying.”
In order to balance school, her social life and volunteering, Han makes sure to prioritize her mental health. By taking the time to slow down and participate in relaxing activities.
“I try to take time to rest and do things that I enjoy, like reading or spending time outside,” Han said.
Some adults, such as members of city council, actually encourage students to assert their opinions about big environmental decisions. This is because younger generations are the ones who are going to be most affected by these decisions in the future.
“I think that many people take young people seriously and want to hear us speak up about what’s important to us,” Han said. “However, some adults do not take youth seriously because they do not believe that we’re knowledgeable enough on issues in politics.”
Han has been able to give back to her community while also receiving the benefits of friendship, and relationships that can help build a career in the future. The more young people who get involved, the more effective these organizations can be to eventually repair the damage humanity has caused for the environment.
“I would like to tell other young people to get involved,” Han said. “And to not be afraid to try something new because there are so many amazing opportunities and connections you can build by just trying a new extracurricular.
