Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Ghaydah Amazing Grace Mageo Salave'a, a high school student from Pago Pago, American Samoa, has been selected as one of only 15 students nationwide for the esteemed NOAA Youth Changemakers Fellowship. This exclusive program, which kicks off with a summit in Washington, D.C., boasts a highly competitive selection process, with just 2% of the 600 applicants earning a spot.

Ghaydah’s journey to this remarkable opportunity began with her long-standing involvement with Finafinau, a community organization dedicated to environmental stewardship. As a Finafinau chapter officer for two years and the incoming Vice President for the upcoming school year, Ghaydah has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to environmental causes. Her involvement with Finafinau made her aware of the NOAA Youth Changemakers Fellowship and inspired her to apply.

The eeBLUE Young Changemakers Fellowship (YCF) is a year-long initiative aimed at empowering high school students across the United States, U.S. territories, and tribal nations to address critical ocean and environmental issues in their communities. Sponsored by NOAA in collaboration with the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the program offers a unique platform for young leaders to develop and execute action projects that make a tangible impact.

Throughout the fellowship, participants receive comprehensive support, including a stipend, project funding, mentorship from NOAA employees, and an all-expenses-paid kickoff summit in Washington, D.C., scheduled for July 23-27, 2024. During this summit, fellows will engage in project planning workshops, communication training, and roundtable discussions with NOAA leadership.

Ghaydah and her fellow changemakers will design and implement action projects targeting local environmental challenges while providing valuable insights to NOAA on broader issues such as the climate crisis, ocean conservation, and environmental justice. The fellowship’s combination of local action and national advocacy aims to build skills and create lasting change in participants' home communities.

"This fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for young leaders to turn their passion for environmental issues into concrete action," said a NOAA spokesperson. "We're thrilled to see the innovative solutions these students will bring to the table and how they will help shape NOAA's understanding of youth perspectives on critical environmental challenges."

Ghaydah was accompanied by Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, the Founder of Finafinau, in which Dr. Suluai-Mahuka served as Ghaydah’s mentor for the application process and for the implementation project to come. 

Ghaydah shared “I was interested in the Young Changemakers Fellowship Summit because I feel it’s extremely important to ensure that American Samoa is represented because in most spaces, the concerns of our small island are often overlooked. While working on my application with Dr. Sabrin, I realized that participating in the summit was a step towards raising awareness and advocating for my community.” 

After three days of programming, Ghaydah relayed “Being here in D.C. was enlightening and now I aim to leverage this opportunity to address environmental risks and drive meaningful change, not only for American Samoa, but the entirety of the Pacific region. It is crucial to take action in today's world, and I aspire to be among those who make a difference. If not us, then who?”

The NOAA Youth Changemakers Fellowship, part of the eeBLUE partnership, underscores a commitment to enhancing environmental and science literacy to build more resilient communities nationwide. By investing in the next generation of environmental leaders, NOAA and NAAEE aim to foster a brighter, more sustainable future.

Ghaydah’s selection for this fellowship is a testament to her leadership in Finafinaua where she demonstrates her dedication and vision for environmental stewardship. Her journey as a NOAA Youth Changemaker promises to inspire and influence not only her community in American Samoa but also the broader national dialogue on environmental issues.

(Source: Finafinau press release)