Ariana Cooper
My name is Ariana Cooper, and I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Youth Spokesperson for the Butte Environmental Council (BEC), as well as the President of our new Butte Youth Environmental Council.
I am currently a senior at Oroville High School. When I am not focused on my studies, I spend my time volunteering at a local middle school, taking concurrent classes through Butte College, and working a part-time job.
I grew up hiking every inch of Table Mountain in the spring, driving up the canyon for swimming in the summer, and spending every vacation at the ocean. The environment is something I never had to learn to love; loving it is deeply rooted in my life. With the education and experiences I have gained so far, I use every opportunity to do my part in protecting our environment—whether that means volunteering at a cleanup event or simply choosing not to use a plastic utensil.
I was first introduced to BEC in April while volunteering at Climate Action Day at the Southside Community Center in Oroville. BEC is exactly the kind of organization I have been looking to join—a place where I can collaborate with others to improve our environment, educate the community, and build a platform that encourages action toward a greener future.
Although I live in Oroville, I am excited to see this program thrive, hopefully impacting students just like me in classrooms across the county. I have no doubt that BEC will play an important role in creating environmental improvement and opportunities throughout Butte County, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of it.