Environmentally Focused Nonprofit Welcomes New Group of “Eco-Influencers” and Nonprofit Partner to Help Evolve Programs and Engage Young People in Gwinnett County

Lawrenceville, Ga. – September 30, 2026 – Offering a unique hands-on opportunity for high school students from diverse backgrounds in Gwinnett County, the Green Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) is an environmental and sustainability service-learning and leadership development program facilitated by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B). Serving as “eco-influencers” throughout the school year, GYAC participants take part in hands-on cleanup and recycling events, while contributing to and informing Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful through projects that address local and global environmental challenges. The Metro Atlanta Keep America Beautiful affiliate has reviewed the applications and is proud to announce its Class of 2026-2027 Green Youth Advisory Council. To further enrich programming for this year’s participants, GC&B has teamed up with Tixie Fowler, Executive Director of Youth In Nature Network (YINN) and founder of Gardens for Growing Community, Inc.

The newest GYAC members include:

• Aashka Patel  – a Junior from Parkview High School   
• Arshafa Rehman  – a Junior from Mill Creek High School    
• Hannah Ibrahim – a Junior from Brookwood High School   
• Lasya Singareddy – a Junior from Lanier High School   
• Olivia Byars – a Senior from Paul Duke STEM High School   
• Sheila Osorio – a Junior from McClure High School   
• Suhee Jung – a Junior from Seckinger High School   

The organization is also delighted to welcome back the following returning members:

• Amari Wilson – a Senior from South Gwinnett High School     
• Aryan Pathak – a Senior from McClure High School   
• Julia Yoon – a Senior from Buford High School     
• Vicky Li – a Senior from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

“We are honored to carry on our long-standing tradition of empowering an up-and-coming generation of future leaders in Gwinnett County for a new school year,” said Schelly Marlatt, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Executive Director. “I’m particularly proud of the fact that ten different high school communities are represented, and that four of our former members made their return this year. While we have always asked our GYAC participants to act as advocates and ambassadors for our programs at their own schools, this year we plan to leverage their social media platforms to create our own brand of ‘eco-influencers.’ This gives them endless opportunities to expand their reach beyond their school and community and reach a larger audience about the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly practices. In addition, they will volunteer at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful events, such as the Great Days of Service Event on October 16 and our America Recycles Day Recycling Event on November 7. Most importantly, they will develop and implement a new environmental program or expand an existing one at their respective schools. My team and I are excited about our partnership with Tixie Fowler, who has been connecting young people to nature for more than a decade through her two non-profits. She is an award-winning environmental educator who will work alongside our own Resources & Marketing Coordinator Carmita Rivera to take this youth leadership program to the next level.”

Beyond the benefits to the Gwinnett County community, GYAC members have much to gain from opportunities to:

• Develop leadership skills while engaging in creative work focused on litter prevention, beautification, community greening, waste reduction and recycling, food insecurity and more
• Collaborate with like-minded peers with unique perspectives from across the county
• Assist with design and implementation of environmental program initiatives for engaging youth in community service
• Engage youth and county leaders by promoting sustainability, environmental literacy, and civic engagement
• Earn service hours and a letter of recommendation for college, future employment, etc.
• Potentially earn a scholarship. Seniors will be considered for two (2) $2,000 post-secondary scholarships through the GC&B Jim Steele Environmental Education Scholarship Fund.

To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, its programs, and future events, please visit www.GwinnettCB.org.

About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful:  Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GC&B) is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate and award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long-term solutions to environmental and quality-of-life issues through individual action. A Citizens Advisory Board representing all sectors of the Gwinnett County community guides the organization. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener, and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GC&B involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to clean and restore public places, recycle more, protect watersheds, and develop the next generation of environmental stewards. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its mission of “Connecting People and Resources for a Sustainable Gwinnett,” please visit www.GwinnettCB.org. The organization invites you to connect with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful on Facebook (@gwinnettcb), Instagram (@greengwinnett), LinkedIn (@gwinnett-clean-beautiful), and X (@gogreengwinnett).

About Tixie Fowler: This self-described “professional glue stick” is highly skilled at bringing diverse groups of people together for grassroots initiatives. After 30 years in corporate and municipal Marketing/Public Relations and community placemaking, Tixie took a leap of faith and stepped out of her high heels and into hiking boots, taking a path filled with young people and nature. She challenged herself to “be the change you want to see in the world,” and now works hard to empower others to do the same.  Since founding the Youth in Nature Network (YINN) in 2015 and Gardens for Growing Community, Inc. in 2018, Tixie has earned certifications as an Environmental Educator through programs accredited by both the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and Cornell University. She has been recognized for her work by the GA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (“Conservationist of the Year, 2023), the GA Association of Conservation Districts (“Superior Professional Support,” 2023), and the Cox Conserves Heroes Award (National Hero in the Individual Category, 2024)

Media Contact: Schelly Marlatt – Executive Director | Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful | (770) 822-5187 | SMarlatt@GwinnettCB.org