The University of North Florida’s Institute of Environmental Research and Education announced Bolles rising junior Sophie Lankarani ’26 as one of this year’s Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) scholars.

YELP scholars are upper school students selected by UNF’s Institute of Environmental Research and Education based on merit and passion for the environment. Lankarani will join her fellow YELP scholars for a one-year, pre-college program with the goal of increasing nature contact and park access in Jacksonville.

During this program, the juniors will collaborate with mentors from the UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education, receive environmental and leadership training, engage in service initiatives with the Timucuan Parks Foundation and develop projects under the umbrella of Community, Action and Service. This is the first year of the program, which requires approximately 100 hours over the course of the year.  

Congratulations, Sophie! #BulldogProud