We are excited to announce our Environmental Charter High School 2017 Graduation speakers!
Danni Washington
Keynote Speaker
A native of Miami, FL with Jamaican heritage, Danni — who graduated in 2008 from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science with a Bachelor´s of Science degree in Marine Science/Biology — has already put her passion into action in exciting, high-profile ways. At age 21, she co-founded with her mother, Michelle Swaby-Smith, the non-profit organization, The Big Blue & You, which is dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through the arts and media.
Danni also holds a deep love and appreciation of the arts, which she expresses through creative outlets such as dance, film and music. In her latest project, she serves as the host of a brand new STEM educational TV Series which features the most current advances in bio-inspired technology and design called Xploration Nature Knows Best which aired nationwide on FOX. Danni is also co-creator and producer of a new initiative called Sea Youth Rise Up which is a collaborative effort to elevate the role of youth leadership in ocean conservation policy and advocacy on World Oceans Day.
In addition, Danni´s young and prolific career has seen her serve as an on-camera personality and science filmmaker with Untamed Science. She also hosted Ocean GEMS, a multimedia series and outreach program connecting teens to marine scientists mentors and role models, and co-starred with Jaden Smith in the official educational outreach video for the theatrical film After Earth starring Jaden and his dad, actor Will Smith. Moreover, Danni´s passion for working with kids shone through as a naturalist at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center. In addition to her love of the marine science, outreach and the arts, Danni is also an avid scuba diver, stand-up paddle boarding enthusiast, yogi and overall lover of the outdoors.
Pamela F. Gonzalez, ECHS Alumni Speaker (Class of 2012)
Alumni Speaker
Pamela is a graduate of the Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) Class of 2012. During her time at ECHS, Pamela was known for her ability to stimulate her peers to be engaged with their communities and for her advocacy efforts to create more welcoming learning environments. As chair of the Student Council’s social committee, Pamela organized and executed a variety of events such as community dances, environmentally-friendly fashion shows, and fundraisers for Haiti relief efforts.
Pamela volunteered with From Lot to Spot (FLTS), a non-profit organization working to eradicate parkspace inequity in low-income, neighborhoods of color. When she graduated from ECHS, Pamela was awarded the Unsung Hero award for her dedication to creating a more fair and just community where all students can enjoy an educational environment absent of bullying, hate, and intolerance.
Upon graduating from ECHS, Pamela went on to attend Pomona College and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a double minor in Environmental Analysis and Spanish.
During her time at Pomona College, Pamela interned at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and was an active member of campus organizations such as IDEAS and Empowered Latinxs in Action. As an undocumented student, Pamela recognized the pressing needs of undocumented students so she set out to engage in action research projects to advocate for immigrant students’ needs within the institution.
Since graduating from Pomona College, Pamela has remained committed to advocating for immigrants’ rights and empowering immigrant communities to advocate for themselves. She is currently employed at the United Farm Workers Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides free and low-cost immigration legal services and community workshops. Pamela is preparing to attend law school in the next three years.
Environmental Charter High School Graduation
Tuesday, June 20th at 5PM at El Camino College Marsee Auditorium
16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506
