MEET THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Josh Almazar
Location: British Columbia
Photo Project: Josh plans to share the experiences of outdoor athletes and communicating the importance of removing barriers from these outdoor spaces.
Christian Alviar
Location: California
Photo Project: Christian plans to show the beauty of California and nature’s recovery from the recent wildfires that have ravaged his home state.
Preston Ballard
Location: Florida
Photo Project: Preston plans to document Floridian wildlife, some of which have faced dangers to their natural habitat, to help encourage conservation of their natural habitats.
Logan Clark
Location: Louisiana
Photo Project: Logan plans to show the recovery period of his town in Louisiana, which was devastated by Hurricane Laura – telling a story of triumph for his community and communities of color.
Lucas Downs
Location: South Carolina
Photo Project: Lucas plans showcase the stunning beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which he feels many people do not know as well as other mountain ranges in the US, and those who explore them.
Mentor: Tyler Glass, Olympus Explorer
Natalie Grybiene
Location: Colorado
Photo Project: Natalie plans to showcase the beautiful landscape of Colorado and the experiences of fellow women of color who adventure there.
Christiana Huish
Location: Utah
Photo Project: Christiana plans to showcase the people and process behind where our food comes from, with local farmers, to give her audience a person connection to their food.
Mentor: Jay Dickman, Olympus Visionary
Martin Humphrey
Location: Alaska
Photo Project: Martin plans to showcase the wildness, awe, and adventure of the winter landscape and night sky of his home in Alaska.
Mentor: Matt Suess, Olympus Educator
Emilie Talpin
Location: New Hampshire
Photo Project: Emilie plans to explore and document the ecosystem near her home in New Hampshire, to show the dramatic transition of the seasons in New England – with a particular focus on a colony of beavers.
Mentor: Lee Hoy, Olympus Educator
Marie Young
Location: Florida
Photo Project: Marie plans to capture the beauty of night sky in Florida to help inspire other young women and give back to an organization that she feels has given her so much in life, as her Girl Scout council is working to inspire young girls in STEAM.
Mentor: Alexa Rakow, Olympus Explorer