Makaila Holston Smith
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Obama Academy of International Studies
"I am ecstatic to have received the NSHSS Foundation Earth Day Scholarship as it is a reflection of my commitment to environmental service in my community. As I was raised in Pittsburgh, I fell in love with its culture and vibrancy but also angered by its failure to meet the necessary needs of all of its inhabitants. During my high school career, I created Volunteer Community Gardeners (VCG) to aid in the fight against structural inequalities in this neighborhood primarily focusing on food accessibility and insecurity through multiple programs. As I pursue my post-secondary education, I wish to continue solving Pittsburgh’s systematic inequalities on a larger scale through design processes and reducing food deserts in Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable communities. More is yet to be done, but I am grateful to have played a small role in addressing a big issue."