We Begin with Youth Voices

By Sophie Hernandez

Take the Mic gives youths an opportunity to present their ideas and thoughts on

what they are passionate about. On September 12th, 2026 six youths from California

gathered in Avalon on Catalina Island to share their ideas about ocean conservation.

The six students, between the ages of thirteen and twenty-three, shared their ideas on how to

save the ocean from pollution, trash, and other life-threatening changes beneath the

ocean surface. They shared how their experiences with the ocean sparked their interest

in wanting to help it. Even though each of their experiences with the ocean varied

drastically, they all had one thing in common; their love for the ocean.

The event was held on the South Beach where chairs, canopies, and tables were

set up. Chairs, canopies, and tables were set up on the south beach for affiliated

organizations to share something special about the ocean. Notes to the ocean hung on a

giant net beneath a canopy. Some notes that people hung read:

“I love you because you provide me a comfort zone.”

“Real starfish would not judge.”

“I promise to protect the ocean.”

The six speakers sat facing the beautiful waves and passed around a mic while

answering questions asked by Kayla from Bleu World and Madison from Ocean Club.

Fourteen-year-old Georgia states, “CIMI (Catalina Island Marine Institute) sparked my

excitement for helping out the ocean.” With the help of organizations like CIMI, kids get

a chance to safely explore the ocean through snorkeling, hands-on classes, and other

water activities.

Other organizations that are advocates for the ocean and contributed to Take the

Mic are Healthy Footprints Adventure Community, NAC Avalon Ocean Club, Blue

World, City if Avalon, and Catalina Island Conservancy. These organizations strive to familiarize people of all ages with the ocean, what’s happening beneath the surface, and what they can do to help. Healthy Footprints Adventure Community (HFAC) focuses on getting kids and adults familiar with the outdoors by providing outdoor gear (such as hiking

attire, camping gear, and even outdoor cooking tools), Catalina Island trips, nature and

ocean classes, and much more.

“The entire ecosystem is suffering.” says 23-year-old Chris. The youth speakers

expressed that they’ve been seeing more and more trash, pollution, and dying kelp

forests in the ocean.

“The ocean belongs to all of us.” So why don’t we all contribute to it?

Contributing can look like mindfulness of plastic usage or attending local beach

cleanups. Because the ocean is under such threat right now, we have to work together to

save it.

Following the event was the outdoor screening of Ocean with David

Attenborough, where people, speakers, and volunteers watched the film and shared

views about the ocean, local beach cleanups, and daily life beside the ocean.

Wildlife cinematographer Joel W. is a dive instructor in Avalon and explains

after the event, “Scuba diving in the ocean changed my life, and I like to give that

opportunity to other people.”

Exposure to the ocean is all it takes.

-Sophie Hernandez

Adventure Leaders student journalist

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Want to bring Take the Mic to your community? HFAC will provide the environmental film, speaker training, and event planning. Contact hfadventurecommunity@gmail.com

Photos by Adventure Leader, Emma McIntee

Thank you to our official partners for helping make this event happen: City of Avalon, Catalina Island Conservancy, Bleu World, and Avalon Ocean Club. Donations from Catalina Island Company and SCORA. Other community partners: Outdoor Adventure Club, Trash Tramp, Polynesian Voyage Society.