Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiative (AESI):  Leadership Team

Hemi Gandhi

 

Hemi Gandhi is the founder of carbonneutralvolunteers.org. Hemi has closely worked with Professor Brian Thompson at Michigan State University in the field of Alternative Energy technologies and sustainability issues. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Radmoor Montessori School where he has initiated an energy and sustainability awareness program. Hemi would like to make a real difference in the world by building a career in this very critical area. Hemi passionately loves Journalism, Politics and Tennis.

 

Kai Goldynia

 

 

Kai Goldynia is a senior at Okemos High School. He has been an integral part of the AESI Leadership team since its inception providing leadership for the marketing and public relations activities. Kai has been class treasurer for 3 years and student body treasurer during his senior year. He is a member of NHS and has been on the basketball team since middle school. Kai is also a principal investigator in a single subject research initiative investigating best practices in teaching mathematics to disability students using the latest research on memory and learning.

Nelson Burton

 

 

Nelson Burton is a senior at Okemos High School and is involved in AESI club, student council, and is Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, The Chronicle. One of his primary concerns is making Okemos a regional leader in the alternative energy movement and setting a standard for others to follow.

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 Matthew Hubbard

 

Matthew Hubbard is a current senior at Okemos High School and is a driven member of our team. His passion for alternative energy and environmental action is seen through his work in Student Government, National Honor Society, and AESI.  Matthew leads the energy audit portion of AESI.  He is determined to reduce electricity consumption within Okemos High School and is looks forward to OHS becoming carbon neutral.

 

Sara Kim

Sara Kim is a senior at Okemos High School. What she hopes to accomplish in this group is raising awareness for people to know that there is an alternative way of living life--the green life. She directed and helped raise over $2000 in the Greenroof Storage Structure project for lunchroom styrofoam tray recycling. She is also involved in A.C.T.I.O.N. and holds leaderships positions in N.H.S., S.A.D.D., Student Council, Culture Connection, and S.E.A..

 

Jenna Chai

 

Jenna Chai is a senior at Okemos High School this year, and plans on attending a university next fall. Aside from her participation in AESI, she is also highly involved in OHS A.C.T.I.O.N. and Book Club. She also takes part in Human Rights Club and is the committee chair for the Weekly Chieftain in Student Council. She loves to sing and read, along with relax with friends.

 

Brandon Bourns

 

Brandon Bourns is a senior at Okemos High School. He plans on going into the architectural and civil engineering fields, specifically 'green' architecture. Brandon has been involved in the AESI for a short while, but has been an 'environmentalist' for quite some time.

 

Kimberle D’Aria

 

Kimberle D'Aria is a senior at Okemos High School, and has lived in Okemos for four years. She is happily trying to do her part in making Okemos High School energy efficient, and hopes we can make some positive changes!

 

Nishita Jain

 

Nishita Jain is a senior at Okemos High School.  She is currently involved in AESI, PALs, ACTION, NHS and hip hop dance.  Nishita wants to pursue a career in medicine and eventually participate in the Doctors Without Borders program.  

 

Ohemaa Poku

Ohemaa Poku is a senior at OkemosHigh School. She believes that Okemos has a wonderful opportunity to become to first carbon neutral secondary school. The AESI club has so many ideas and people to work with that she is sure that Okemos will accomplish its goal. Ohemaa feels that Okemos will be a great symbol of eco-friendliness and efficiency. This is her second year in AESI and she loves all the new ideas presented at each meeting. Including selling fluorescent light bulbs in the freezing cold! In addition to AESI Ohemaa is in Key Club, A.C.T.I.O.N, Human Rights Club, Stucco, orchestra and interned with the Obama campaign.  She plans on attending college next year and will continue to spread the word about the importance of being nice to the earth!

 

Lauren Frisch

 

A senior at Okemos High School, Lauren Frisch is very excited to be a part of AESI and help to make a difference to reduce global warming. In AESI, Lauren helps to raise awareness and funds to send solar ovens abroad, and also brainstorms new ways to conserve energy within her own school. Moreover, Lauren has had experience with environmental work at Fibertec Environmental Services, where she worked to analyze and test soil samples. Aside from the environment, Lauren is also a captain of A.C.T.I.O.N. community service club, president of the Greater Lansing Temple Youth group, cochair representative for student council, a member of key club, Ice Skates, and volunteers for a political campaign. 

 

Carrie Zhang

 

Carrie Zhang, 15 years old, a current junior in Okemos High School. She is a captain in A.C.T.I.O.N., member of Book Club, Student Council, and AESI. Outside of school, she loves to draw and play the piano.

 

Imaan Abbasi

 

Imaan Abbasi is a junior in Okemos high school and ecstatic about being an upperclassman this year. This is her first year being in environmental club. Her favorite quote pertaining to the environment is, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”  She wants to help keep the earth pollution free for the future generations to come and looks forward to helping Okemos high School become environmentally friendly.

 

Oliver Jiang

 

Oliver Jiang is a senior at Okemos High School. In addition to participating in AESI, Oliver is a varsity athlete in tennis. Oliver hopes that he can make a lasting impact upon energy consumption in Okemos.