Ms. MariAuna Ballas

Junior, Big Sky High School

My name is MariAuna Ballas and I'm seventeen years old. I am a junior at Big Sky High School and a member of the Health Science Academy, cross country team, and track and field team. In my free time I enjoy working out, skiing, and playing with my two dogs. An environmental issue that I'm passionate about is plastic pollution, more specifically plastic pollution within the ocean. I am very excited about this exchange because it is a great opportunity to talk about these issues with people from our age group.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Will Batchelder

Junior, Seeley Swan High School

I’m Will Batchelder and my two main hobbies are fishing and making music. I also like to skate and go on hikes. I’m on the Nordic ski team at my school. One environmental issue I care deeply about is melting ice caps. I think that’s an issue that impacts teenagers in Vietnam too.  I’m most excited to meet everyone and see the landscape of the country of Vietnam.  

 

 

 

 

Mr. Finneas Colescott                                                                                                          

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

My name is Finneas Colescott, I am sixteen-years-old and a student at Hellgate High School. I love running in the mountains around Missoula and am a member of the Hellgate Cross Country and Track teams. Air pollution has a negative impact on the health of everyone and when the air quality index is high, I especially notice it when I am running. I play violin in the Missoula Youth Symphony as well as the school orchestra. Our family previously hosted an exchange student and it was a very positive experience; I look forward to meeting the students from Vietnam and building potentially lifelong friendships. 

 

 

Ms. Hannah Darne

Junior, Sentinel High School

Hello, my name is Hanna Darne, and I am a co-president of Sentinel’s Eco Club, and a member of student government, debate, and Missoula Youth Symphony. In my free time, I like to read, watch movies, listen to music, and play my violin, and in the summer, I like to go hiking. I am excited for this trip because I have never traveled outside of the United States before, and I also want to bring new ideas to Eco Club! One environmental issue I hope to discuss during this exchange is reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and in the environment.   

 

 

Ms. Josie Firehammer

Junior, Sentinel High School

My name is Josie Firehammer and I am a Junior at Sentinel. I’m the co-president of my school’s eco club, as well as a member of the speech and debate team, model UN, amnesty international, and the band program. I love to hike, paint, and explore new places. I’m passionate about intersectional environmentalism and protecting the world’s biodiversity. I’m excited to meet new people and find solutions to some of the problems climate change presents us.

 

Mr. Anthony "TJ" Higuera

Junior, Big Sky High School

Hi, my name is TJ Higuera. I am a Junior at Big Sky High School and am a member of the Health Science Academy. I also do Cross Country, Drama, Boy Scouts (I am an Eagle Scout), HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Model UN. I love to work out, hang out with friends, travel, and learn about history and the world. I am very passionate about climate change which I believe is the greatest issue that our generation is going to face. I am excited to be a part of this program so I can meet new people and experience a unique culture. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Freya Jones

Junior, Big Sky High School

My name’s Freya Jones, I’m a cross country and track runner, and I also do Thai Boxing several days a week. I love writing and I’m currently working on a novel. I believe that climate change is the most vital challenge we will face as a generation, especially when it comes to fixing larger societal issues such as emissions from factories and creating environmentally clean power. As teens we’ve been told our whole lives both that we can do anything and that we’re too young to do it yet; this trip is an opportunity for me really make an impact while also exploring the world.

 

 

 

Mr. Zade Little

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

Hey, my name is Zade Little, I'm 15 and a sophomore at Hellgate High School. I really enjoy downhill skiing. I also like to hike, bike, and go on backpacking and camping trips in the summer. I think that Climate Change is a very concerning issue especially being a skier, we all need to put effort into trying to minimize the impact. I’m excited for this program because it gives me the opportunity to see new areas of the world and learn new things from people I wouldn't normally have a chance to connect with. 

 

 

Ms. Crystal Lopez 

Junior, Seeley Swan High School

I'm Crystal Lopez, I'm a junior at Seeley Swan High school. Freshman and sophomore year I was involved in student council and vice president for one year, I was also a member of the Leos club which is a youth organization mainly for social services. In my free time, I love to explore the woods with my dog and seek beautiful views of the mountains. Some other activities I love are trips to the lake with buddies, thrilling hikes, and bike rides. When it comes to environmental issues like air quality, polluted oceans, microplastics, deforestation, and climate change there really is none more important than the other. All should be prioritized but what really grinds my gears is our mircro plastic problem that we've created. Micro plastics in our oceans are poisoning our food and killing marine life and reefs that we depend on. What I'm hoping to gain from this Vietnam Environmental Exchange is knowledge and a new perspective. I'm excited to see all the differences and similarities between cultures and our perspectives on environmental issues and how to take better care of our Earth.

 

Ms. Hannah Marron

Junior, Big Sky High School

My name is Hannah and I go to Big Sky High School. I aspire to have a career in the health field, and I enjoy going on outdoor adventures wherever life takes me. This is why I’m passionate about global warming and climate change. Since both the United States and Vietnam are susceptible to droughts and floods, which worsen with climate change, it is a relevant and urgent topic. With many global issues that need to be addressed and discussed among peers, I’m excited to meet new people and learn about our generation’s opinions on our next steps in life.

Ms. Lily McHood

Sophomore, Sentinel High School

Hi, I’m Lily McHood and I love skiing, hiking, and hanging out with friends. I attend gymnastics at the Roots Acro Sports Center. I also love animals, and I have a miniature schnauzer named Penny. One environmental issue that interests me is how much our diets affect the environment.I’m excited to participate in this exchange because we get to learn more about the impact we have on the world we live in, and I look forward to learning about Vietnam. 

 

 

Ms. Lilli Megis

Junior, Big Sky High School

Hello, my name is Lilli Meigs and I am heavily involved in 4-H (a program that leads agriculture experience and leadership in youth) and Future Farmers of America, where I raise pigs and market goats. I also play volleyball for my high school and club teams.  I am very excited about this amazing trip and opportunity to learn more about and discuss my topic of sustaining and protecting agricultural land. As the population increases, the need for housing space and land is on the rise, but yet so is the need for more food sources and the land to provide it. I look forward to breaking outside of my little western Montana bubble and experiencing how others live and build their lives in another part of the world. 

Ms. Analise Migliaccio

Junior, Big Sky High School

Hi, my name is Analise Migliaccio. I am a member of Key Club, World Quest, Health Science Academy Ambassadors, and Junior Board. I also participate in track and soccer. In my free time I like to play the violin, go on walks with my dogs, and cook. An environmental issue that I am passionate about is air pollution and its relation to climate change. I am extremely excited about this exchange because I will get to experience the viewpoints of other students from Montana and from Vietnam on environmental issues and learn more about cultures outside of my own.     

 

 

 

 

Mr. Snpaqsin "Paq" Morigeau

Sophomore, Big Sky High School

Hello, my name is Snpaqsin Morigeau, (pronounced sin-pock-seen) I also go by Paq for some. I will be turning 16 in March and I go to Big Sky High School. I try to get within the community so I am a part of an organization called UNITY, which stands for United National Indian Tribal Youth. One of my hobbies is during the summer I dance competitively at all the local and surrounding powwows. One of the biggest passions on climate change that I have is that of the watershed, as well as of our glaciers and the effect climate change has been on them in the past time.  

 

 

Ms. Maille Moynahan

Junior, Hellgate High School

My name is Maille. I enjoy baking and cooking, reading, working with animals, and I stay active in my school's thespian troupe, an international book club, and through my work at a local bakery.  I am interested in a variety of environmental issues, but am particularly focused on wildlife protection, including pangolin trafficking and bison restoration, as they are both keystone species for their environments that have been impacted deeply by human interference.  Beyond loving to explore and learn about new people, places, and cultures, I am excited about this experience because I want to gain a deeper understanding of both the global community and my part in it.  

 

 

Mr. Michael Parkey

Junior, Big Sky High School

Hey everyone, my name is Michael Parkey! I am a junior at Big Sky High School and thrive for academia. I have been involved in many clubs such as Model United Nations, World Quest, and environmental club that encompass many world issues and help broaden my global understanding. I am super passionate about eliminating waste in our daily lives in as many ways as possible, in fact I did a no waste November last year. I am excited to meet all the other amazing students going on this trip and am ecstatic to further my knowledge on global climate issues. 

 

Ms. Ava Parsons

Junior, Sentinel High School

Hello! I’m a 16 year old from Missoula, MT. I spend most of my time reading the news and talking about politics online. My dream is to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Although this is a far-reaching goal, I aim to work hard in order to be successful in my future career as a lawyer. As of right now, that means lots of law books! I’m also involved in several community organizations such as Montana Youth Action, where I try to tackle issues like climate change and racial inequality in my state, and the Montana Governor’s Youth Justice Council. Travel has always been an interest of mine that I have yet to indulge in (this will be my first trip out of the country!), so I can’t wait to experience this cultural immersion in Vietnam. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the wonderful people I’ll meet along the way! 

Ms. Lauren Riley

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

Hello, I am Lauren Riley, a sophomore at Hellgate high school. I am the treasurer of Hellgate’s S.A.V.E. (student against violating the environment) nonprofit, and a proud environmental advocate. I enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. I am passionate about spreading awareness and taking action to reverse the effects of climate change and the fast fashion industry. This exchange is an incredible opportunity to experience firsthand the effects of global warming and learn how others are taking action.  

  

 

 

 

 

Ms. Tess Rosbarsky

Junior, Hellgate High School

Hello! My name is Tess and I'm a junior at Hellgate High School. Some of my hobbies include ballet, jazz and Speech and Debate. I'm also super passionate about the preservation of biodiversity, especially regarding plants, and I am very interested in seeing how climate change can act as a centripetal force, uniting different countries and people as they attempt to reach the common goal of stopping climate change. I can't wait for this exchange, and look forward to collaborating with my fellow students from Montana and Vietnam.  

 

Ms. Pilar Sielstad

Junior, Big Sky High School

My name is Pilar, and I live near the Bitterroot River west of Missoula in a family of six with two brothers and one sister. I run cross country, play ice hockey, compete in Speech and Debate, and also participate in Health Occupations Students of America, Model United Nations, and Improvisational Acting Club. I enjoy working out, gardening, reading and writing. I am excited for this exchange because it will allow me to experience a vibrant culture and environment and share my own. I am passionate about climate change and how it is affecting sea levels, weather, and in turn agriculture and the environment. 

 

 

Ms. Valerie Sigler  

Junior, Hellgate High School

My name is Valerie Sigler. I play the bass clarinet in the high school band and I enjoy swimming, hiking, reading, writing and hanging out with my friends/family. Science is one of my greatest passions and one day I hope to be a biologist or a climate scientist. I believe that climate change is the fight of our generation. Growing up in Montana, I’ve gotten to know how important forests are to ecosystems and to the growing fight against climate change, and I believe it is of utmost importance that we find a solution to deforestation that everyone can agree on.  I became interested in this exchange program because of the opportunity to travel to a new place, meet new people and to learn more about environmental issues facing the world.  

 

 

Ms. Cora Stone  

Sophomore, Seeley Swan High School

My name is Cora Stone, I live in Seeley Lake, and I enjoy skiing- both cross-country and downhill, biking, backpacking, volleyball, and playing bass guitar. I am involved in Leos Club- a community service club, I am vice president of the student council, I am the secretary of the BPA at our school, and I am currently on the Nordic Ski Team. An environmental issue that I am passionate about is how governments respond to climate change because this is what greatly determines if any progress is made. I am very excited about this exchange because I love to travel and I want to do something that will make a difference. 

 

 

Mr. Jasper Thomas

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

Hi, my name is Jasper Thomas. I am a sophomore at Hellgate High School, where I am part of SAVE (Students Against Violating the Environment), and run on the cross-country team. In my free time, I like to run, bike, backpack and play chess. One environmental issue that I am passionate  about is conservation, because I enjoy using protected public lands and they are essential to maintaining plant and animal biodiversity.I also believe climate change is an existential threat to humanity, and we cannot create a solution without working together. I am super excited to participate in this exchange and look forward to interacting with people my age who are concerned about environmental issues and who live in a different ecosystem and political climate. 

 

Ms. Maggie Vann

Junior, Hellgate High School

Hi! My name is Maggie Vann. I’m a junior at Hellgate High School. I love playing volleyball, training wild mustangs, fishing, hunting, and playing with my bulldog. I am very passionate about keeping our waters pristine and working to preserve endangered animal species. I am beyond excited to be a part of the Vietnam Environmental Exchange to make new friends, immerse myself in a new culture and help improve the world we live in. 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Ashley Young

Junior, Hellgate High School

My name is Ashley Young and I am a 16-year-old student attending Hellgate High School. I am the “soon to be” president of our environmental club S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violating the Environment) where we lead school wide or community based services such as recycling, composting, and picking up trash in popular parks. I am also Hellgate’s Student Council Secretary. I play soccer and tennis, and my hobbies include skateboarding, piano, painting, and hike. I am so excited for this an amazing opportunity to collaborate and communicate with other students my age with a completely different life. Also as a person who cares deeply about the environment, ocean pollution, and the problem of littering and trash, it will be interesting to acknowledge and compare the differences in environmental issues from opposite parts of the world.  

 

 

 

 

 

Alternates

 

Ms. Annika Kendrick

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

Hello, I’m Annika. I am part of the Hellgate cross country team and I love track. My hobbies are any form of art and nature photography. I like hiking and enjoying the outdoors. One of my main environmental concerns is cleaning up the many oil spills in our oceans and lakes. I want to keep our world clean and happy! 

 

 

 

Ms. Noel Migliaccio

Sophomore, Big Sky High School

My name is Noel Migliaccio. I am involved in Key Club, Student Government, and World Quest at Big Sky High School. I also participate in both soccer and track. In my free time, I enjoy painting, hammocking, and going on hikes. I am passionate about the climate issue of fast fashion. I am excited about this exchange because I am very interested in climate change issues, and I love to meet and get to know new people. 

 

 

 

Ms. Keira Skovlin  

Sophomore, Hellgate High School

Hi, I am Keira Skovlin. I am a sophomore at Hellgate High School, where I run for Hellgate Cross Country and Track, participate in S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violating the Environment) Club, Model United Nations, student government, and enjoy playing violin in the Missoula Youth Symphony. I like spending time with friends and family, running, traveling, playing games, camping, and I appreciate time in the outdoors. I care about the issue of microplastics, because the presence of these tiny plastic particles can significantly impact the environment. I am interested in the Mansfield environmental exchange program because it presents a great opportunity to learn about environmental issues, to work with a group of my peers, and to meet Vietnamese students and learn about their culture and home.  

Ms. Iris Swanberg

Junior, Hellgate High School

My name is Iris, and I'm part of Hellgate's environmental club S.A.V.E. and I run cross-country and track. I like hiking, running, reading, skateboarding, baking, and playing ukulele! A big environmental issue I'm passionate about learning about and preventing is the loss of biodiversity so I'm interested to see how Vietnam addresses this issue specific to their geographical and political environments.  

 

Teachers

Ms. Ashley Wineman

Hellgate High School

I am an English teacher at Hellgate High School. I grew up in Missoula and attended the University of Montana for my Undergraduate program. While in Undergrad I studied abroad in Ireland and taught in India. I completed my Master's degree from UM in International Educational Leadership. Exposing students to international travel and study is my passion. I have lead trips to South Africa, Costa Rica, and currently guide historical trips to Washington D.C. and New York City.  

 

 

 

 Ms. Nicole Sarrazin-Strong

Big Sky High School

I grew up in Montana and attended Montana State University. After finishing college, I moved to Hawaii for my first teaching job. After four years, I moved with my husband to Alaska where I continued teaching and had my first child. We decided to return home to Montana and have our second child. I was fortunate enough to obtain a teaching job at Big Sky High School. I  am currently teaching IB 20th Century topics and World Geography for the Health Science Academy. My travel experience includes a summer study abroad trip to Spain, a few other countries in Europe and an Australian adventure. I am looking forward to traveling to a new part of the world with all of you!