Presidents
Below is a list of the current and past Ecology Club Presidents. We encourage past presidents to contact us and share new photos. We want to establish a "Where are They Now Page" for all members. We look
forward to hearing from all past
Ecology Club members!
Caroline Rinks 2018-2019
Caroline is currently our on-going President. So far this year, the club has won The Ronald Regan Award for Outstanding Student Leadership, the Tennesee Wildlife Federation's Hunters for the Hungry Top School Volunteer Award, Lausanne Learning Insitutite Bat STEM Study WOrkshop Facilitators, and the President's Youth Volunteer Service Awards Gold Medal for Environmental Service
Chloe Poole 2017-2018
Chloe was elected President of her senior year. During Chloe's Presidency, the club won The Ronald Regan Student Leadership Award, The Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Hunters for the Hungry Top School Volunteer Award, The Tennessee Environmental Council 100k Tree Day West Tennessee, Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Hunters for the Hungry Top School VOlunteer Award, Children's Book Author, Polar Bear Express, the President's Youth Volunteer Service Awards Gold Medal for Environmental Service, and won 8th in the nation for the Pepsi-Co School Recycle Rally. Chloe also redid Serenity Falls in the stream of the garden
Caleb Weatherly 2016-2017
Caleb was elected President his Senior year. During 2016, the ecology club won many numberous awards including The National Engery Education Development for Most Outstanding Energy Efficiency Project of 2016, State of Tenneessee Certificate for Outstanding Enviornmental Service, Tennessee Governmor Bill Haslam's Day of Recongition for Outstanding Enviornmental Service, and University of Tennessee Good Sports Always Recycle State Award. The club also won the President's Youth Volunteer Service Awards Gold Medal for Enviornmental Service.
Melissa Rinks 2015-2016
After serving a year as the club Vice-President, Melissa was elected by her peers because of her love of the environment and her dedication to the club's goals. Melissa served as the 7th period's aid in the Biology Lab which provided her time to use her encouraging leadership style to its full ability. Melissa also spent many hours after school working with Allie on the NEED project that was selected as the best high school in the state of Tennessee for '15 and again in 2016. The NEED Project was selected as the #1 Senior School in the nation and received a very special award from NEED, Outstanding Project Award for the Most Oustanding Energy Efficent School Project in the Nation! Great leadership Melissa. The Ecology Club under her leadership raised money and helped sponsor the Memphis Zoo's last major exhibit in their master plan known as the Zambezi Hippo Camp. The club is listed on the FRIENDS plaque inside the new hippo and aligator exhibit. Be sure to visit this amazing exhibit that includes underwater viewing and aligatoe feedings.
This summer Melissa has be in charge of finding an award for the Year of the Garden Garden of the Month. She has put together the Golden Gazebo which will be displayed in the garden that has earned this prestigious award.
Melissa has established the Year of the Garden to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Mary Margaret's Garden outdoor classroom. She also is excited to offer all members the opportunity to dress as Disney characters for community outreach booths. Melissa Rinks received a scholarship from the University of Tennessee. Congratulations Melissa - Go Big Orange!
Charleston Johnson 2014-2015
Charlie was elected President as a Junior and established monthly team building activities to bring the club members closer as a group. The club won the top project in the state for their digital NEED scrapbook. The club's enrollment for next year has increased from 24 to 52 under her leadership. Her letter to the Board on behalf of the club saved the trees. Way to go Charlie!
Charleston has been accepted into the University of Memphis Leadership Program which will provide over $40,000 for college. Go Tigers!
Shea Gould, 2012-2014
Shea Gould was elected President as a junior and served for two consecutive years. Sky Watch was established during her leadership supporting SSEP.,,
While serving as President of the Ecology Club, Shea served as a mentor for the 5th Grade Bat STEM Project that has received many state and national awards. During the Land Between the Lakes Retreat she established the evening round table known as , "I Saw God Today...," where members share their personal testimony of the days activities and recognize members special accomplishments. Shea coordinated the Disney Planet Challenge.
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She led the Garden Work days and helped rebuild the water ecosystem. She was never afraid of hard work or getting a little dirty. Shea was selected as a Coke National Finalist for her outstanding work and aacademic ccomplishments while in the Ecology Club. Shea received numerous other grants for college. We will miss her can do attitude.
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Shea is currently a student at Mississippi State University where in 2015 she won an award for the highest grade point average in the environmental program she is currently studying. This year she received another distinguished award for her outstanding work. We are so proud of her and her hard work. Way to go Shea!
Neal Driscoll 2010-2012
Neal served as President his Junior and Senior year. He strengthened the school's recycling program and collected 10 tons of paper. He led the group as they continued the Earth Day Celebration for PK - 5th graders. The Club attended LBL during fall break and worked on becoming the environmental leaders of tomorrow. The club continued to work in the garden and meet its needs. Teens for Jeans collected over 700 pairs of Jeans and won a national award.
Neal is a rescent graduate of CASE University.
Erin Shoaf 2008-2010
Erin currently married fellow club member Burch Walker who graduated from the University of Memphis where he studied engineering. Erin also graduated from the University of Memphis and is currently a second grade teacher in Collierville, TN.
The club attained many state and national awards while Erin was President including The SeaWorld Environmental Excellence Award. The club was one of one of ten programs selected across the United States. The club received a trip to Busch Garden's in Tampa where the club received a $10,000 check to further their work. The club also was recognized as the top high school group in the state of Tennessee and the nation by the National Energy Education Development Project . She was personally selected as a national trainer for NEED and received the prestigious national NEED Youth of the Year. Erin was also recognized by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce as the Citizen of the Year for her outstanding work and leadership. Erin also was involved in the production of the children's book, Bookman's Adventures, The Valley of the Frogs." The Fayette Academy recycling program was established during her tenure.
Savannah Pierski, 2006-2008
During the years Savannah was president the Ecology Club helped in the Outdoor Classroom known as Mary Margaret's Garden. Savannah was part of the students that asked for the establishment of the Ecology Club. Her leadership established the elementary mentoring program and won 1st place in the Somerville Christmas Parade float competition two years in a row. This was the first group that attending Fall Break at Brandon Springs Environmental Learning Center located inside Land Between the Lakes. Savannah is on the right next to the pole behind the children.
Savannah is married and graduated with a degree in denistry. We are proud of you Savannah!
