Meet IGNITE alumna Juliett Santana Ruelas, recent recipient of the ATHENA Riverside Scholarship!
Juliett was recently awarded the prestigious ATHENA of Riverside Scholarship by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. This award recognizes outstanding young women in Riverside County who demonstrate academic success, community service, and a commitment to uplifting others in their community.
A rising junior majoring in political science and public law, and minoring in environmental studies, at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Juliett has been honing her community leadership skills for years. Prior to transferring to UCSD, she attended Norco College, where she served as a student senator and as president of the pre-law/political science club. She also coordinated a campus voting campaign that educated students about ballot measures and encouraged civic engagement and co-founded Fashion For Change, a nonprofit initiative that repurposes clothing for people in need to limit textile waste.
Juliett is using the scholarship to participate in an internship through UCSD's Future Innovators program with the International Water Association in London. Through this internship, she hopes to learn more about the global environmental sector so she can return to California and eventually run for office and advance legislation to protect people from environmental issues and racism.
Juliett credits her participation in our IGNITE the Capitol advocacy workshop with helping her hone her political prowess. "IGNITE allowed me to realize how a voice for the defenseless matters in this world, and helped me recognize how many women are willing and able to fight for equitable change," Juliett shares.
We’re so proud of Juliette and we can’t wait to see where her passion for climate justice takes her next!
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