FEATURED STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
mariame Diagana
Although Mariame Diagana ’26 has long been passionate about beauty, fashion, and science, she recently gained a deeper awareness of how these interests could fuel real-world change. A student at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts, she has expanded her commitment to environmental sustainability and community service through local and international projects — from delivering medical devices to Mauritania to supporting food security efforts in Boston. In 7th grade, she launched @dailymootds, a TikTok account focused on clothing and makeup advice, which grew to over 30,000 followers and sparked her dedication to building inclusive spaces in the beauty community. As an environmental youth leader, she was selected to attend the Santa Cruz Island Retreat: Land, Sea, and Sky, a five-day climate leadership program hosted by the Bluedot Institute in partnership with UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science. Through this immersive experience, she sharpened her skills in public speaking, collaboration, and narrative building — and returned even more determined to drive youth-led action and advocate for a more sustainable, inclusive future.
PAST STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
Dest’n Montague
Dest’n Montague is an artist who truly represents the voice of the youth. Based in Washington, D.C., Dest’n’s creativity and talent shine in his prose presentation “Mother NA.” This is his final presentation for the group at MIT Media Lab during our Climate Leadership Retreat this summer in Cambridge.
Dest’n is a participant in the Bluedot Institute Writing Program and the Bluedot Monthly Fireside.
Sasha Stern
It’s one thing to notice problems in the world, and quite another to take steps to fix them. For Bluedot Institute student Sasha Stern, taking those steps happens with both feet. The issue that has her attention: the fashion industry. Specifically, the overproduction, excessive water usage, and the overwhelming waste created by disposable clothing. She started a website, Reusefit, to advocate for stylish, planet-friendly, ethical brands, share upcycling techniques, and feature innovators in the industry.
Over the past year, Sasha has been an integral part of Bluedot Living, serving as an intern and contributing in meaningful ways to our mission of promoting sustainable living. Last spring, she wrote a story profiling six leading women in the fashion industry who are championing responsible manufacturing practices. She also creates regular content on Instagram for Bluedot Living and the Bluedot Institute. Click here to read more about her website, the many initiatives she has led at her school, and the children’s book she has published (for real!).
Nathanael Jean-Gilles
The whole purpose of organizations like Bluedot is to inspire, spread the word about climate issues, and to offer a solution for us. So when Bluedot speaker Sarah Ream showed up at Nathanael Jean-Gilles’s school in Boston, MA, it inspired him to get involved. He quickly jumped on Zoom meetings for the Bluedot Writing Program, and joined the Youth Climate Leadership Retreat to the MIT Media lab, where he learned about things like astrology, wildlife, trees, and rising sea levels.
He especially cares about the rising sea levels because of where he lives, in a semi-coastal town, where the food supply chain is threatened by rising seas. Because of his experiences with Bluedot, Nathaneal was moved to do something. He now writes for the Bluedot Institute to share his concerns about our changing climate, and is involved in food-waste reduction programs at his school – all while inspiring others along the way.
– by Ethan Maday, Bluedot Institute student
Lauren Peloquin
Lauren Peloquin ‘27 is a junior at Nobles in Boston. When she is not advocating with DOSA, the Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness, she is shooting rebuttals in Model United Nations and actively participating on her town’s youth government board. Lauren is passionate about clean energy and animal farming; specifically, the illegal trading of exotic animals and ivory. She is a prefect for her school, and is part of her school’s environmental club. Lauren is a regular with the Bluedot Institute Writing Program and Monthly Firesides.
– by Khaliya Thawer, Bluedot Institute student
Khaliya Thawer
Khaliya is a member of the class of 2025 Elmwood school in Ottawa, Canada, and is an avid advocate and community member of her school and community. As a senior she was active in school leadership, serving as the president of her DECA chapter and middle school prefect, encouraging younger students to thrive in school.
One of her most proud accomplishments as a student leader was starting an initiative to get fentanyl test strips into Canada. As a part of her leadership she is an activist in climate change, interested in sustainable energy methods to combat fossil fuel use. In particular she is interested in solar energy and how this resource can be harnessed in nations across the world. She is eager to continue to be a leader in climate change awareness and help give youth a platform to advocate for her community.
– by Lauren Peloquin, Bluedot Institute student
The Student Spotlights are featured in the Bluedot Beacon. This is Bluedot Institute’s newsletter for sharing student work and keeping in touch with Bluedot Institute families, schools, supporters, and partners about upcoming events and programs.
