IN THE NEWS
News on Shelby O'Neil, Founder of Jr Ocean Guardians and No Straw November
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LEGISLATION
• Developed No Straw November in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to challenge people of all ages, all over the world to stop using straws during the month of November. Empowered students to make a change and ultimately, the initiative became a worldwide challenge.
− Partnered with the California Coastal Commission and Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning to implement the initiative statewide in 2018.
AB-1884 Witness Testimony at CA Natural Resources Committee
• Provided witness testimony before the California State Natural Resources Committee on behalf of California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon’s AB-1884.
Congressional Record – Oct 5, 2017, 115th Congress, 1st Session
Issue: Vol. 163, No. 160 - Congressman Jimmy Panetta
• Recognized by the 20th Congressional District, read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Jimmy Panetta in recognition of “passion for environmentalism and conservation to respect our natural environment”.
Styrofoam Ban at San Benito High School
• Served as Co-President of the Environmental Club at San Benito High School, partnering with school officials and the Board of Trustees to take more responsibility in being an environmentally friendly school by implementing a campus-wide ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers; effective Feb 2019.
MEDIA
Leonardi DiCaprio Foundation Guest Author Shelby O'Neil
Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Hero
The New York Times & Upfront Scholastic Magazine
Ocean Elders - YouTube Shelby O'Neil & Dianna Cohen Talk Plastic Pollution
Virgin United - Ocean Elders New Education YouTube Channel
Girl Scouts USA - PSA All Girl Scout
Girl Scouts USA - National Gold Award
Girl Scouts - Year of the G.I.R.L. Agenda 2018
Dartmouth College - Environment and Sustainability
Catholic Health Association of the United States - Dignity Health
Buzzfeed - Auri Jackson AB-1884
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FILM, TELEVISION, RADIO, BOOKS
Girl Scouts USA National PSA - All Girl Scout PSA: Behind the Scenes with Shelby
2018 National Gold Award Girl Scout: Shelby O., Jr Ocean Guardians
Girl Scouts USA - Gold Award Satellite Media Tour
Dignity Health - Let's Reduce Straw Usage Together - Hello Human-kindness
Sesame Street “N is for Nature” short film – HBO, Release Date May 9, 2020
Girls Who Green The World - Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet by Diana Kapp
The Plastic Problem: 60 Small Ways to Reduce Waste and Help Save the Earth (Lonely Planet Kids)
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
National Geographic Young Explorer
National Gold Award Girl Scout − Selected as one of ten Girl Scouts to receive the title of National Gold Award Scout for completing the Jr Ocean Guardians project and efforts to reduce the impact of humans on oceans and the planet.− Recognized as being the first to accept this prestigious honor with the Girl Scouts of Central Coast California.
Congressional Record Recognition by Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Monterey Bay Aquarium Ocean Hero
Paul Walker Youth Ocean Youth Award
American Red Cross Central Coast Environment Hero
Bow Seat Marine Debris Creative Advocacy Competition Gold Award
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes 2018