Hi! My name is Allison Wray, and I’m a new TTF summer intern for 2019! I’m originally from Bucks County and graduated from Council Rock High School North in 2018, but right now I’m a rising sophomore at Smith College. At Smith I’m studying Environmental Science and Policy and considering a minor in Geosciences. I have a passion for climate justice, environmental activism, and outreach at local levels, because regardless of how incredibly important the big picture issues of environmentalism are, change starts with community connection and education.
I came to TTF after learning that Julie, the Executive Director of TTF, was also a Smithie like me, graduating with a major similar to the one I’m currently pursuing. I reached out way back in January to apply for the internship, and now 4-ish months later here I am!
As a junior in high school, I volunteered at a wildflower preserve in Solebury that works with the community to emphasize the value of native species and eliminate invasive species from local ecosystems. By working hands-on with groundskeeping as well as in the plant nursery, I developed a love for personally doing my part to support the communities I belong to in our larger journey towards green living and sustainability.
Aside from my academic interests, I also have a lifelong love of music! I sang in choirs and musicals all through high school, and in college I’ve kept up my music participation as the current business manager of my treble a cappella group, Groove. Aside from my “biz man” duties, I’ve also sung solos, written multiple arrangements for my group, and even conducted my first performed arrangement this past semester. Someday, I hope to continue my leadership as a musical director.
After graduation, I hope to pursue a career where I can advocate for environmental policy reform, make environmentalism accessible to all regardless of race and class background, and dismantle the environmental injustice that targets marginalized communities in cities all over America. I hope that what I learn in my summer at TTF will help me develop a well-rounded knowledge of the complex intersections between local ecosystems and the human and non-human communities inhabiting them.
