Student Spotlight
Jocelyn Coates - named one of the 2024 Top 25 Environmentalists
Posted on Apr 01, 2025
CDLI would like to congratulate Jocelyn Coates, a Grade 12 student at Clarenville High School! Jocelyn is currently enrolled in Calculus 3208 with CDLI.
Jocelyn was named one of the 2024 Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 by The Starfish Canada. This organization celebrates and empowers young environmental leaders through high-quality programming, networking opportunities, and platforms for their voices to be heard. The award aims to recognize youth dedicated to making change and demonstrating leadership in the environmental movement. The criteria include community integration, passion and engagement, creativity and uniqueness, and positive impact.
As a Top 25 honoree, Jocelyn joined an incredible network of passionate environmentalists, received care packages, and attended a life-changing four-day Youth Environmental Changemakers Summit at the beautiful Cheakamus Center in Squamish, BC. The Summit included inspiring presentations, cultural programming, workshops, roundtable discussions, and outdoor activities.
One of the main factors that contributed to Jocelyn’s achievement is Clarenville Fruit Rescue, an initiative she began in the early fall of 2024. This program collects local fruit that would otherwise be wasted and distributes it to the community at no cost through outreach programs, youth centers, and community cupboards. The initiative aims to reduce food wastage, address food insecurity, encourage healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and limit greenhouse gas emissions from produce transportation.
In addition to her recognition as a Top 25 Environmentalist, Jocelyn was also a 2025 Loran Finalist.
Jocelyn is actively involved in various extracurricular activities at her school. She is a member of several sports teams, including volleyball and cross-country running, and participates in music groups such as choir and concert band. She is also involved in STEM clubs like robotics (model boat/ROV), Math League, and Eco-STEM. Eco-STEM is an environmental group that organizes activities and events in her school and nearby schools, encouraging the integration of STEM and environmental efforts. Furthermore, she participates in student council, grad planning committees, Rotary Interact Club, the breakfast program, Tutoring for Tuition, and more.
Beyond school, Jocelyn regularly volunteers with various programs in her community, including initiatives she started herself. One of these is her senior swim program, a weekly initiative she launched earlier this year. As a volunteer lifeguard at her local pool, she provides an inviting space for seniors to socialize and participate in low-impact exercise at a very low cost.
Additionally, she works as a lifeguard multiple times a week, including morning swims before school and evening community swims. She also coaches the Clarenville Waverunners swim team in the summers and competes as a swimmer with the team. Jocelyn is a competitive cross-country skier on her provincial team and travels out of the province multiple times a year for competitions.
Her other community involvements include piano and music lessons, serving on the Youth Advisory Council for Fast and Female (a national organization that supports girls in sports), and coaching her local cross-country ski Jackrabbits youth programs.
Jocelyn is passionate about sports, training, and spending time outdoors. In her free time, she enjoys cross-country skiing, running, hiking, biking, and swimming—almost any outdoor sport. She also loves reading, singing, and listening to folk music.
While she currently does not have specific plans for the future, Jocelyn hopes to pursue a career in STEM. She plans to attend Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus for a Bachelor of Science degree. She aspires to stay connected to her passion for the Earth and the outdoors while continuing her involvement in the environmental movement throughout her life. We wish Jocelyn continued success in all her future endeavors!