Named for Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s beloved mascot, Rocksey the Raccoon, this award is presented to a student or student group in grades K-12 exemplifying environmental stewardship. They are passionate about keeping their community clean and beautiful and they recognize it is every citizen’s responsibility to protect the environment. Their leadership in and outside of the classroom encourages their peers to reduce waste, recycle, and pick up litter when they see it.
Twelve-year-old Armaan Basra of Lake Charles is proving that age is no barrier to leadership. Armaan conducted a self-directed study of litter at the I-10 Beach, collecting and categorizing every piece of debris along a half-mile stretch. His findings showed that plastics made up over 70% of the litter. He then conducted a survey with community members and utilized advanced statistical forecasting methods to make the case for a ban on single-use plastics to reduce pollution. He shared his project with the Lake Charles City Council, earning a Certificate of Recognition for civic leadership. Armaan has since won state and regional science awards, advanced to national competitions, and has even begun developing a low-cost microplastic detection device to help schools and communities monitor pollution. With his passion, grit, and vision, Armaan exemplifies the spirit of the Youth Leadership Award.
