Trash Talking: Environmental Advocacy Through Art
c/o Rudri Soni
Last month, Fundraising & Grants Coordinator Rudri Soni and Los Angeles-based volunteer Ashmeet Singh hosted an interactive environmental advocacy workshop for 20 middle school students at Corona Fundamental Intermediate School (CFIS). “Trash Talking: Environmental Advocacy Through Art” was made possible by generous grant support from the Karma for Cara Foundation.
Located in Corona, California, within the Corona-Norco Unified School District, CFIS is a Title 1 public school serving 750 students in grades 6 through 8. The school enrolls a predominantly Hispanic and diverse student body, with a high proportion of minority students. CFIS offers core academic subjects alongside enrichment opportunities such as gifted programs and magnet initiatives. On state assessments, one-third of students demonstrate proficiency in math while a larger share meets proficiency in reading, placing the school in the top half of California middle schools for overall test performance. Like many schools in growing urban districts, CFIS continues working to close achievement gaps and support equitable academic progress for all learners.
c/o Rudri Soni
The two-hour session coalesced around the central question: How do our daily actions affect the environment, and how can we raise awareness about environmental injustice? The workshop began with a keynote from Hero Alexander, Water Resources Control Engineer at the Santa Ana Regional Water Board, in conversation with Joaquin Castellijos, Organizing Coordinator at the Community Center for Environmental Action and Justice. Hero and Joaquin defined environmental justice, discussed their professional experiences in the field, and emphasized the importance of youth voices in shaping environmental policy. Students enjoyed hearing from the guests, whose Southern California ties allowed them to envision how environmental change begins locally. Following the keynote, students collaborated to create a mural portraying victims of natural disasters—made entirely out of repurposed materials and Earth pigments. The poignant tribute will be hung in the walls of CFIS to spark continued conversation about environmental justice.
c/o Rudri Soni
The workshop was run under the auspices of the Eloquence Charitable Fund, a philanthropic initiative connecting academic debate to community service. Dialogue, debate, and discovery unfolded, complete with a snack basket of fruit gummies, chips, and sandwich crackers. Based on responses collected through the post-program survey, the results were energizing. Students identified litter on public streets, water pollution, and recycling as top issues affecting their community. They expressed a universal enthusiasm for taking action to make a positive impact. Their reflections underscored the Fund’s goal: empowering young people to use their voices not only to analyze vexing societal issues but to act for community betterment.
We are grateful to Ashmeet, Hero, Joaquin, and Rudri and are proud of what their students accomplished. To get involved in one of our regional chapters, visit the link in our bio.
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Eloquence Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 509(a)(2) public charity dedicated to increasing equitable academic debate opportunities for rural and historically underserved students. The Academy offers debate classes, summer camps, workshops, tournaments, in-school programs, and online resources for 2,500+ students across 35 states and 17 countries. Ultimately, EA aims to prepare youth for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact through the transferable skills gained from debate. Follow EA on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
