The following post was written by one of ACE’s outstanding students, Srijesa Khasnabish, showing her love for ACE during our Spring donation drive. Read what other ACE students and alums have to say here.

My name is Srijesa. I’m a student and ACE Ambassador at my high school in Lexington, MA.

This Earth Week I’m thrilled to be featured along with other inspiring stories of students and alumni just like me. ACE has shown us that we have the right to choose. Instead of a fossil-fueled future, we can choose a future that creates economic opportunities, protects our health, and restores balance to our climate.

My story began when I was 15, when ACE had their first assembly at my high school. I saw what climate change meant in a way I’d never heard it before. After learning that we would need five more planets to sustain our current culture of consumption, I finally understood the severity of climate change. I decided then to join the Global Warming Action Coalition (GWAC) at my school, and quickly became their ACE Ambassador.

ACE gave me the confidence and communication skills that I needed to lead my club. I started a school-wide composting system, built a school garden, and even arranged for the school cafeteria to use produce from it. ACE educators helped me make change step by step and kept me focused on my goal. Now I know that my ideas can be realized and I have the power to influence my peers.

But my action doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Being an ACE youth leader has given me amazing opportunities to raise my voice at events like the Forward on Climate Rally. I’ve spoken at the Boston Latin School’s YouthCAN Climate Summit and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network Conference. I never would have chosen to be this involved in the climate movement if it weren’t for ACE and YOU.

You can choose too. You can choose to believe in me and the potential of thousands of my peers across the country. From Lexington to Los Angeles, teens like me are ready to make a difference. Given the knowledge, resources, and support to take action, together we will create a climate-thriving future.

I’m asking you to donate to ACE today. They opened my eyes to the climate crisis and inspired me to act now, not to wait for my opportunity. Four years later, I am a better citizen of this planet and I know how good it feels to choose.

 

Thank you for choosing my future and for supporting ACE.

Srijesa Khasnabish
Student & ACE Ambassador
Lexington, Massachusetts