The Youth Environmental Video contest has been a meaningful part of our growing outreach in Tracy and surrounding areas, where we’re working hard to build awareness and community power around environmental health and justice. Over the past few months, we’ve been busy—tabling at local farmers’ markets, connecting with residents, and having real conversations about clean air, safe water, and environmental cleanup. We also wrote Letters to the Editor published in the Tracy Press and Livermore Independent to help spread the word about the contest and invite broader community participation.
In addition, we reached out to schools across California and beyond, encouraging young people to share their perspectives on environmental issues. The response was amazing—we received heartfelt, creative video entries on everything from climate change and pollution to youth activism, clean energy, and conservation.
One of our favorite things about this contest was keeping the theme open. We wanted students to speak to any environmental issue they cared about, and they absolutely delivered. Their videos are thoughtful, powerful, and full of heart.
This work is made possible through a generous grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency, and we’re deeply grateful for their support. It allows us to highlight youth voices, strengthen community education, and bring more attention to environmental justice topics that often go unheard.
To select the winners, we put together a selection committee of both Tri-Valley CAREs staff and local creatives. We wanted to make sure we were evaluating not just the science, but the storytelling and message behind each submission. The top videos are featured below and will also live on our YouTube channel.
First Prize: Theo Daniels
Video Title: injustice, joy
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDiQU_gOLQo
Theo Daniels is the Climate Policy Manager at Second Nature, working on federal climate policy analysis and outreach, particularly around the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. With degrees in Environmental Science and Political Science from Howard University, he’s now pursuing his M.S. in Environmental Metrology and Policy at Georgetown. His past work spans the White House Council on Environmental Quality, NASA, the U.S. Congress, and more.Outside of policy, Theo is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores the intersections of climate, culture, and justice.
Second Prize: Alicia Buffington
Video Title: Ocean Pollution and the Environment
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paAf7JNVizY
Alicia is a high school junior at Waukesha West High School. Passionate about ocean life, she plans to study marine biology in Florida and dreams of visiting New Zealand to explore its unique aquatic ecosystems. Her love for the ocean shines through in her video, which raises awareness about pollution in marine environments.
Beyond her environmental interests, Alicia enjoys reading, playing tennis, archery, and learning musical instruments—she already plays three and is learning a fourth!
🥉 Third Prize: Ella Min
Video Title: Affordable Clean Energy for California Schools
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WciCp4u72_I
Ella is a junior at Amador Valley High School with a strong passion for energy equity. Her project on affordable clean energy for California’s public schools connected her with community leaders, legislators, and researchers up and down the West Coast. Through her work, she’s building coalitions for real-world impact—and she’s just getting started.
Outside of her environmental work, Ella skates competitively for Team USA and coaches young skaters at her local ice rink!
We’re so proud of each of our winners—and every student who submitted their work. These videos remind us that youth voices matter, and that the future of our environment is in thoughtful, creative, and passionate hands.
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