USA
Ariel, from San Francisco and East Palo Alto, comes from communities that prioritize care, education, and resilience — values that shaped her experience in India. In her application, she wrote about her role as a mentor and advocate for Black history, and during the trip she found herself expanding that advocacy into the global context of climate citizenship. Whether learning about sustainability in Ahmedabad or engaging in cultural immersion in Delhi and Bangalore, she reflected on how climate change directly threatens coastal communities like her own, with rising sea levels posing risks to homes and lives. Shy by nature, Ariel pushed herself to engage more, finding joy in shared experiences and building friendships across borders. Through this journey, she strengthened her belief in hard work, empathy, and collective action, realizing that her voice carries power both on and off the basketball court, which has long been her outlet for expression.