What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?
I’m a member of the Annapolis, MD Chapter and President of the Broadneck High School Student Club!
When and why did you choose to get involved?
I was introduced to Surfrider by my co-President and friend Lucia Foster. The first time I volunteered was at the Let’s Go Music Festival in the summer of 2024, and I was immediately hooked!
Volunteering with Surfrider felt like a privilege and I was welcomed into the community with open arms. It was so exciting to meet people who felt the same way about environmental issues and it was empowering to discover that there are things I could do to help bring about change. I started going to the Annapolis chapter meetings to learn more and began the process of founding a Surfrider Club at Broadneck High School.
What are some local environmental issues that you have witnessed?
Growing up in Annapolis, Maryland, I’ve seen the community struggle with water quality, plastic pollution, and major flooding. A day at the beach often turns into a nightmare when people cut their feet on plastic shards. Because of runoff and pollution, the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality changes day to day, making an open wound a genuine health concern. As a child, I learned to check the water quality reports before I packed a beach bag because, unfortunately, not every day can be a beach day.
In addition, the downtown Annapolis City Dock area struggles with flooding almost every year. My grandfather was a business owner there and I’ve seen the devastating effects firsthand. When the floods came, we waded through the dark knee-high water to move stock to higher ground. When the water receded, the damage and filth left behind for our local business owners was shocking. This experience of seeing my community impacted by polluted water gave me a passion for what Surfrider is all about.
What Surfrider projects have you been involved with? How have these projects impacted your community?
My fellow officers and I started the first-ever sustainable lunch day at our high school. We designated a day when students were encouraged to pack a lunch that consisted of reusable lunchware and no single-use plastics. We promoted it on social media, posted flyers, and even advertised on the morning announcements! During the lunch period, officers and club members visited classrooms to give prizes to those who had a sustainable lunch. This was a great way to raise consciousness about plastic pollution and encourage student involvement in Surfrider.
This year, fellow students and I got the chance to participate in Lobby Day where we met with elected officials and spoke with them about the MD Bottle Bill, a piece of legislation aimed to increase recycling and decrease plastic waste. It was an experience I’ll never forget and it gave me the confidence to speak out about the issues that matter to me.
Our club has worked hard to address the wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles this year. We set up a donation box at school to collect needed items and we partnered with a local Ocean Friendly Restaurant to host a fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to The Boys and Girls Club of Malibu which supports families in need of wildfire relief.
Do you have any personal experiences or campaigns/issues where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected?
Yes, participating in Lobby Day was an impactful experience because it showed me the very important relationship between social justice and supporting our local environment. Since then, I was fortunate enough to give my own testimony, as a member of Surfrider, in favor of the Bottle Bill to the Maryland State Senate.
What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment?
Surfrider fosters an inclusive environment by honoring every individual for their unique contributions. It’s true that you never really know the passions of others until they’re given the opportunity to show you. As a club president, I try to take the time to speak with as many club members and volunteers as possible. Because of this, we have an amazing group of students who actively participate and feel empowered to work for change. Honoring the skills and accomplishments of others helps lift up the community and get more done!
What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
I tell people all about the connections they can make through Surfrider and how those friendships may last a lifetime. I’ve been a member of the club for only a year but have already connected with restaurant owners, elected officials, professors, and scientists. The opportunity to come out of my shell and engage with people of all ages and professions is something I’m so grateful for. You don’t have to be an avid beach bum or surfer dude to make a difference with Surfrider. Everyone is welcome to share their passion for healing and preserving our oceans.
Thanks so much Ruby! In closing, what has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
The highlight of my experience with Surfrider was our club's first meeting at the beginning of the school year. Starting the club at my high school was a challenge and to see nearly 80 people show up to our first meeting was incredible. It made me realize that this is something our coastal community needs and that Surfrider gives us the opportunity to do so much more!
