Expanding Youth Engagement in Sustainability: A Q&A With CAPS Alumnx Board Members Taylor Simonich and Raymond Wang
Youth leadership is essential in driving meaningful change, and CAPS is proud to place students at the forefront of climate action. By offering paid, hands-on internships, CAPS empowers students to lead data-driven initiatives that directly reduce their school districts’ greenhouse gas emissions, save schools money, and contribute to environmental justice in their communities. These internships provide students with technical skills and real-world experience that prepare them for sustainability careers and amplify their voices as leaders in the growing green economy.
We are proud to welcome our first-ever alumnx board members, who bring their unique perspectives to CAPS leadership. Raymond Wang has led local sustainability campaigns and is passionate about increasing student involvement in environmental policy. With a background in environmental science and sustainability consulting, Taylor Simonich brings technical expertise and a commitment to expanding climate education, particularly in underserved communities. As alums, Raymond and Taylor will pave the way for current interns and bring student voices to shape our future development.
In this Q&A, Raymond and Taylor share their insights on how they envision working with other board members to amplify the CAPS mission, their goals for expanding the program’s reach, and their advice for current CAPS interns aspiring to leadership roles.
Starting with your time as an intern, can you share what initially drew you to the CAPS program and how your experience as student interns shaped your academic and career goals? Are there any specific moments or projects from your time as interns that still stand out to you?
Raymond: I joined CAPS as a senior at Petaluma City Schools. At the time, I had already gained experience in environmental science through both research and advocacy during high school, so the opportunity to build on that work and contribute to sustainability efforts at the local school district was a perfect fit. I was nearing the end of my college application process and wanted to find something meaningful to do while still in school.
One experience that stands out from my time as an intern was participating in a student panel where I discussed the need for climate action in Petaluma City Schools. The panel was attended by people in my local community and filmed for the 3M “Green Works” docuseries. It was an incredible opportunity to speak to the community about our work as students, how we were addressing climate change, and how others, especially older generations, could take action in their own lives.
Taylor: I was drawn to the CAPS internship at a pivotal time when I was starting to explore what environmental sustainability meant as a career. Growing up on a farm, I was always surrounded by the outdoors, which fostered a love for nature. When I learned about CAPS through my high school’s engineering pathway in my sophomore year, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore sustainability before committing to a career in college. The experience turned out to be completely transformational for both my academic and career goals. I originally entered college as a Political Science major, with plans to pursue Environmental Law, but as I took classes during my freshman year at UCLA, I realized how much I missed the work I did with CAPS. That’s when I decided to switch my major to Environmental Science.
A standout moment for me was participating in the statewide competition Energized Schools in the fall of 2019. Along with other students at my school, we worked on energy-saving projects with a lot of support from CAPS, and we ended up reducing the most energy of all the schools that participated—about 25 schools across California. Winning that competition was a proud moment.
As former student interns, you bring a unique perspective to the board. How do you see your experience helping to shape CAPS’s work and impact, especially when it comes to engaging young people in sustainability and leadership?
Raymond: Since I was in the program less than a year ago, I bring a current firsthand understanding of what high school students experience and what appeals to them about internships like CAPS. High school students today balance multiple subjects and extracurricular activities to prepare for graduation. I think it’s crucial for students to gain practical work experience, and a program like CAPS provides that opportunity. It’s valuable for students to realize that they can start making a difference in the world now and build the knowledge and skills to continue making an impact in the future. I’m excited to work with the board to help attract more students from across California to get involved with programs like this. Engaging students early can help empower them to take action in sustainability and leadership.
Taylor: The biggest thing I want to contribute is helping to ensure that CAPS’s programs are accessible to as many students as possible. My own experience with CAPS was transformational, and I know how impactful it can be, so I’m passionate about spreading that opportunity to others. Growing up in the Central Valley, I’ve seen the effects of climate change firsthand, which has only deepened my understanding of the urgency of climate action and the need for education on these issues.
I’m grateful to see a growing recognition in my generation about the importance of sustainability. Many of my peers share the same passion, and I believe we can harness this collective energy to make real change. When it comes to engaging young people in sustainability and leadership, I think the best approach is to tap into the deep empathy and sense of responsibility that my generation feels for the world. I believe it is crucial to engage young people most affected by climate change as part of creating solutions. We’re passionate about addressing the problems we see, and youth-led programs like CAPS can channel that passion into meaningful action.
Raymond, you’ve led grassroots environmental campaigns and developed STEM education initiatives. How will these experiences guide your work on the board, particularly in fostering youth engagement and sustainable development?
Raymond: I’ve been involved in several grassroots environmental campaigns in my town and county, with one of the biggest being Measure W. This initiative aimed to restrict urban sprawl and prevent development in areas like woodlands to protect them from being overtaken by housing projects. I worked with students from my town and nearby schools to help preserve the natural areas we have. Another major campaign I worked on was Proposition 30, a statewide initiative in California aimed at raising taxes on wealthy individuals to be used for wildfire prevention and electric vehicle infrastructure, although it unfortunately didn’t pass.
These experiences have shaped how I approach youth engagement and sustainable development. I strongly believe in creating opportunities for students to get involved in policy-making. While high school students often don’t have the political power to make large-scale changes, we can help amplify their voices and guide them toward opportunities where they can have an impact. My work on the board will focus on giving students the knowledge and access to those opportunities, as there’s no shortage of interest in sustainability work among students—what’s lacking is information about where and how to get involved.
Taylor, your background spans environmental science, sustainability consulting, and project management. How do you see these experiences shaping your role on the board and contributing to CAPS’s mission?
Taylor: My academic and professional experiences have given me a strong foundation in environmental science and sustainability. At UCLA, I’ve focused on the technical aspects of environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to both business and climate action. As a senior, I’m nearing the end of my academic journey and have been part of several sustainability consulting projects, even managing a few of them. These experiences have expanded my understanding of what sustainability truly means and how it can be applied in various sectors.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from CAPS was how to implement environmental solutions that not only yield positive outcomes for the planet but are also economically viable. This balance between environmental impact and financial feasibility is crucial, and I’ll continue to apply it as I contribute to CAPS’s mission. My background in sustainability consulting and project management has given me the leadership skills and practical knowledge to help advance CAPS's goals, particularly in terms of making sustainability more accessible and impactful for students.
Finally, what advice would you offer current CAPS interns considering future leadership roles or opportunities to stay engaged with the organization beyond their internships?
Raymond: My biggest piece of advice for CAPS interns is to stay involved in as many environmental movements as possible. Even after you move on from CAPS, your work will still be valuable, regardless of where it is. The climate movement will continue to be a major issue for years as it affects the planet we depend on.
Most CAPS interns will go on to attend college, where they’ll find many sustainability clubs or green-focused organizations. But even if an intern isn’t looking for a career in environmental science, they still can contribute through volunteering, donations, or other general conscientious acts. These actions allow individuals to continue contributing to building a more sustainable world, no matter where they are.
Taylor: My biggest advice for current CAPS interns is to stay connected. The CAPS alumni network is full of exceptional people eager to share their knowledge and experience. Since graduating as a CAPS intern, I’ve participated in various networking events, mentorship programs, and forums, all of which have helped me stay engaged.
My advice for those considering future leadership roles is never to underestimate yourself. If you’re pursuing something you’re passionate about, your unique background and dedication can contribute to creating positive change. Simply put, pursue what you love, and great things will follow.