Landon Petrisko
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Westminster Academy
I am Landon Petrisko, a sixteen-year-old sophomore at Westminster Academy High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I am part of the school's Varsity baseball team, Robotics team, and run the non-profit, Wild Over Wildlife, where I now serve as President. Wild Over Wildlife is committed to protecting the planet and everything on it. We restore native habitats, make documentaries about endangered species, and take in abandoned and abused small exotic animals from the pet trade who need a forever home. Living along the beach, I have always wanted to protect the sea turtles that I have watched nest and hatch each summer from the many obstacles they face, especially those created by humans. Therefore, we have worked to keep the beaches free of trash and ban plastic straws from the city as many put marine life, especially sea turtles, at risk. We are now working to eliminate single use plastic bags as well. Many of our projects have allowed us to partner with youth groups from other continents as we work together to combat climate change and protect our natural resources. I greatly appreciate being awarded the NSHSS Earth Day Scholarship.