Walter: [00:00:00] The hearts of gold podcast is brought to you by the grow and shared network produced by off the Walter media productions.
[00:00:14] Sheryl: [00:00:14] Today, we have Shelby with us. Hi Shelby.
[00:00:17] Shelby Oneil: [00:00:17] Hi, thank you for having me.
[00:00:19] Sheryl: [00:00:19] I’m so happy that you’re here. Can you tell us about your girl scout gold award project?
[00:00:25] Shelby Oneil: [00:00:25] I can. So my girl scout gold award project has evolved into something much larger than myself, but when I was first starting out with my girl scout gold award project, I was volunteering at the Monterey Bay aquarium.
[00:00:36] And I had realized that a lot of people didn’t understand how they could have a personal impact on the ocean. So I took it upon myself to really pair this. Ocean loving side of myself and my girl scout gold award to create an activity book and create a nonprofit called junior ocean guardians, which ultimately educated my community and everyone around me.
[00:00:55] And then I was able to also create a challenge called no straw November, which has launched into such a movement that’s much larger than one person. And it’s been amazing to see all these people get educated about the ocean.
[00:01:06] Sheryl: [00:01:06] And so you talked about Monterey Bay aquarium. What inspired you to start with?
[00:01:11] Shelby Oneil: [00:01:11] When I was young, younger, I’m from inland California, which surprises a lot of people that I’m an ocean advocate, even though I live about 45 minutes from the ocean, you know, growing up, I didn’t like sand.
[00:01:21] I didn’t like to get all, you know, dirty at the ocean. even though I’d grown up playing in dirt my whole life and going to this, young woman in science program at the Monterey Bay aquarium, I just really. Was able to have my mind blown, how diverse it’s not beautiful sciences and you know, how. How limitless the ocean is and how many resources we have in there.
[00:01:42] It really blew my mind and being able to continue that through high school, I just partnered all of my loves into one and girl Scouts just happened to fit perfectly.
[00:01:51] Sheryl: [00:01:51] And why plastic straws?
[00:01:52] Shelby Oneil: [00:01:52] Right, so that’s the question. Everyone asks me, plastic straws. When I started out, you know, advocating for the elimination and stopping of single use plastic straws.
[00:02:02] It wasn’t a known issue. I. Started this about four years ago and like really advocating for it. And back then straws were just convenience said no one even thought twice about. So mainly started with plastic straws as a way for people to get more involved with them, not having to give up their whole routine.
[00:02:19] So something that they could implement slowly, and it’d be an easy change for most people. If they don’t medically need a straw. So that’s why I chose straws. Cause it’s the gateway to a lot more issues.
[00:02:29] Sheryl: [00:02:29] You connected with some corporations regarding your plastic proposals. Can you tell us about that?
[00:02:34] Shelby Oneil: [00:02:34] One of the meetings issues that I wanted to tackle was corporate sustainability and having them understand their inputs and how they can create a positive effect or negative effect on our planet, just like our own personal impacts. So, huge components, my girl scout, gold award, and just everything that I do now is I sent emails to a lot of the corporation CEOs and just outlined how see new spastic straws can be dangerous to our oceans and human health.
[00:02:59] And they took a lot of. You know, they took it and ran. And a lot of them were very supportive and were able to eliminate millions of single use plastic straws from their own mine. But a lot of other places weren’t the happiest that I was emailing them. So I think just having the resilience to be like, Hey, I haven’t heard from you on this topic.
[00:03:16]I would love to talk more about you and acting as a helping hand to these corporations and not shaming them is a huge step into having people and corporations take responsibility for their single use plastic.
[00:03:27] Sheryl: [00:03:27] Can you share some examples of the corporations that did take your consideration and make their changes?
[00:03:33] Shelby Oneil: [00:03:33] One of my main supporters is Alaska airlines. They were able to reduce their onboard straw usage by the millions. I was also able to work with dignity health, which is a healthcare service here in California and a couple other States. and they were able to eliminate that straw usage within their upfront cafeteria, your cafeteria area, and just really take the opportunity to educate their staff on the issues that are affecting our environment.
[00:03:56] And, you know, Costco, I was able to work with as well, and several other companies who have just been so kind and just really supportive throughout this process.
[00:04:04] Sheryl: [00:04:04] Well, Starbucks may not attribute your inquiry. Starbucks has changed their products and they were one of the organizations you met with, what was that like?
[00:04:13] Shelby Oneil: [00:04:13] Is I believe my second corporate meeting I ever had, my first one was Costco and he was insane. He was in Seattle. I remember going to Starbucks campus and I was like, wow. I feel like I’m at a college campus right now. It was very insane. You know, high school Shelby was internally dying. It was so exciting.
[00:04:29]and I remember meeting with them then being very eager then talking about. You be a couple of kids and I have, of course talked about pros and cons. Yeah. Both. and just having them understand that plastic straws aren’t recyclable in our system. And even though know the recycling system has multiple flaws within it, the plastics, because lids aren’t, a little bit easier to recycle, not 100%, but it’s just trying to make improvements and overall understanding issue that was created. and they also, when I met with them, they had bees on the top of their roof cause they were, they had a little beekeeping clubs. So that was super fun.
[00:05:00] Sheryl: [00:05:00] How did you identify and connect with the CEOs at these major corporations?
[00:05:05] Shelby Oneil: [00:05:05] So I always tell people to Google. Google is a powerful, you know, service that we all have access to and Google can find you so much information. And just Googling who the CEO is and either emailing them or finding them through LinkedIn, which I’m a huge advocate for. I love LinkedIn. so just, just Google them.
[00:05:23] Sheryl: [00:05:23] What was it like creating a nonprofit?
[00:05:25] Shelby Oneil: [00:05:25] I just decided to do it. It was a lot and I huge undertaking definitely a lot of paperwork, but I always tell people I wouldn’t have started a nonprofit if there wasn’t an issue and I can’t wait for the day where I don’t need a nonprofit necessarily because the issue would have already been solved.
[00:05:39] So it’s definitely a journey, but I recommend it to anyone.
[00:05:43] Sheryl: [00:05:43] Your project has such a major impact that it was recognized as one of the 10 national gold award girl Scouts for 2018. What was that experience like?
[00:05:53] Shelby Oneil: [00:05:53] That experience was a whirlwind. I still have so many good friends who are also national gold work girl Scouts.
[00:05:59] I remember going to New York. I had gone to New York twice in the same week because the first week was for the she’s all that girl scout, PSA. And that was the weekend before our, you know, Our kind of national golden Macross scout endeavor. And it was very wild because I was a senior in high school and it just felt like this amazing whirlwind experience.
[00:06:19] Being able to tell my classmates and we go, Oh my God, where did you work for this? And they’re like, no, you’re not. And then they, you know, see it on social media. So it was, it was just pretty wild. Senior year was a time.
[00:06:29] Sheryl: [00:06:29] You’ve continued to have a very close relationship with GS USA, our national organization. What other things have you partnered with?
[00:06:36] Shelby Oneil: [00:06:36] I love GS USA. I’ve been able to connect with so many amazing girl Scouts throughout the world, and truly just hear about all these amazing innovators that are rising up. typically for GS USA, I like to talk to different girl scout troops in my area because I do come from such an agricultural area.
[00:06:52] I love to see and like rise up near the ocean heroes. You’re kind of hiding. And I also just love to be on panels with GS USA and kind of show how one girl can truly make an impact and hopefully inspire other girls to take charge.
[00:07:05] Sheryl: [00:07:05] You’ve also continued partnering with Monterey aquarium and the area in general and have been on a lot of panels there. Can you tell us about some of those.
[00:07:14] Shelby Oneil: [00:07:14] Since I was a an I’m an alumni of the TCL program team conservation leader program. So it’s really awesome to see all the new TCLs be coming to the aquarium, so eager to learn and just really change the credit as a whole. they cram a great job, uplifting youth voices, and yeah, they truly have us on the floor talking to everyone around the world.
[00:07:33] They would connect with so many different, amazing people. And just try to talk to them about ocean conservation. So it’s, it’s fun seeing all the new TCLers, they mainly just go there to be like, look, I was in your position once and now I do X, Y, and Z, you know? So it’s, it’s always fun to connect with them.
[00:07:47] Sheryl: [00:07:47] Can you tell us more about the no straw November challenge?
[00:07:50] Shelby Oneil: [00:07:50] I can. No straw november is my pride in July. when I started no straw November, I had no idea the impact it would have and how much larger than myself it would become. So I created no strong November when I was in a classroom. You know, and I was talking to these amazing kids and I had nothing to really challenge them.
[00:08:07] They knew that it was bad. I had just told him all about seeing you spastic straws and bags. Yeah. But nothing that they could do to take home and just really evaluate their actions. So I was like, Oh my God. No Straw November like what a great name. And I started talking to more people and everyone’s like, Oh, that is a good name.
[00:08:22] And like, just talking about them. And I’m like dreams. And my goals of having people understand that, yes, you can skip a single use plastic straw, but it doesn’t end there. Like this should be a starting point for you on this amazing journey to zero waste. or at least get it somewhat near there. So no strong November to me means, you know, kind of this amazing starting off point and what I’ve been able to take with no strong November is.
[00:08:43] Being able to uplift no straw November every year, but also pair it with an amazing other organization. So this year is all about voting and having people understand that, you know, their voice has an incredible impact in the polls and if they really want to see change and their nation or our nation, that they should really take it to the polls if they’re of age to do so.
[00:09:02] And I’ve been able to pair with bowsy, which has also been an amazing, another amazing organization that, Just truly uplifts these youth artists who are just so focused on environmental issues and just really shed light on the importance of artists in our country, because we truly need them and they, you know, keep us all entertained.
[00:09:18] And even the darkest of times, like we’re seeing now. So it’s just, it’s been really amazing to be able to use no Sharnell bumper and all these other avenues of goodness.
[00:09:26] Sheryl: [00:09:26] And there is a patch that goes with the program too.
[00:09:29] Shelby Oneil: [00:09:29] There’s a patch. I have it here somewhere when I find it. I’ll hold it up, but it’s probably my favorite patch I’ve made to date.
[00:09:35] Sheryl: [00:09:35] Where can they get more information about the patch and how to get it?
[00:09:38] Shelby Oneil: [00:09:38] So you can go to my website, it’s jroceanguardians.org, and junior being jr.
[00:09:44] Sheryl: [00:09:44] Another way you’ve worked with youth and environmental awareness is you got to do a partnership with Sesame street. Can you tell us about that?
[00:09:53] Shelby Oneil: [00:09:53] It was such an amazing dream that I didn’t even know it was accomplishable.
[00:09:57]I had reached out to Sesame street, the amazing CEO and I reached out to him asking if he would have more of a focus on the environment or what his plans were to highlight the environment. And I didn’t hear back from him. And I was like, okay, you know what? I’m not giving up on this one. So then I had sent him another email following my Washington post article.
[00:10:16] And I just really was like, I feel like this is a huge thing that you guys should do. And just, you know, it was really advocating for the environment and, to my surprise, they got back to me and they were so kind to them Vitamix to the headquarters in New York when I was back there for my GS USA event, and it was, it was absolutely wild. And I, the intent of my email was not to be on Sesame street. it was more just asking you what Sesame street was doing for the environment. And I had met with them. They’re like, Oh yeah, we’d love for you to be in it. And I was like, Oh my goodness. Like, I didn’t know that was gonna happen.
[00:10:48] Like I was very shocked. and then, you know, it was a very long process. it wasn’t just overnight and it finally came out. So that was. So rewarding in so many ways. And that was probably my favorite project I’ve done today because it was just so positive. We was able to include so many different, amazing people and just really uplift the environment.
[00:11:08] Sheryl: [00:11:08] You’ve been in front of the camera a lot. What have you learned about video production that’s interesting?
[00:11:13] Shelby Oneil: [00:11:13] Having everything on zoom is extremely interesting. you know, I’m a, I’m a college student, so having zoom classes is extra, is extremely different from what I’m used to it. when I went back for the GSE USA, amazing event of becoming a national goes across scout, I was able to do a press junket.
[00:11:31] So I was able to like sit in a studio and just do all these amazing interviews with different people throughout the country. And that was. Insanity. It was so cool to witness and be part of. And I was like, Oh my gosh, I kinda liked this. I like being a communicator. So I’ve been able to take that skill that have been able to learn of just having confidence and knowing what I’m talking about and just understanding that I can do it and hopefully apply that to science and being able to uplift different scientists, voices.
[00:11:57] Sheryl: [00:11:57] Can you take us behind the scenes a little bit as a national gold award girl scout? And what kind of media prep did GS USA give you before you guys either did that press junket or did that live stream?
[00:12:09] Shelby Oneil: [00:12:09] You know, USA had total confidence, confidence in us. We were able to do, an interview with them, kind of talking about the process of it.
[00:12:16]but truly, they just were like, you got it. Like you, you guys, you guys are own it. You know what you’re talking about? We don’t want to, you know, fill your head with too much of confusion before going into it. so it was, it was so nice to be in an environment where the I was talking, I wasn’t, you know, having to, Oh, no, but I do know what we’re talking about.
[00:12:37] It was just a very supportive environment and they just let us be yourselves.
[00:12:41] Sheryl: [00:12:41] As a national gold award girl scout, you received a scholarship, and you’ve received other scholarships because of your other work. Can you tell us about some of those being a college student?
[00:12:52] Shelby Oneil: [00:12:52] It’s not, the cheapest of activities to be a part of, college is expensive, able to receive so many amazing scholarship, not only from girl Scouts, but from PWC public business women.
[00:13:04]and it was just so awesome to be a part of all those different organizations and have so many people believe in me to continue my education because I’ve always wanted to be a college student. I’ve always wanted to really further my education. Because my, my father didn’t go to college. He didn’t have the opportunity to go to college.
[00:13:19] That’s been really cool to be kind of at first for my dad’s side.
[00:13:23] Sheryl: [00:13:23] You’ve also received some other special recognitions. You’ve been recognized by the Paul Walker foundation, the Lewis to copywriter foundation, national geographic. Can you tell us about some of those adventures?
[00:13:36] Shelby Oneil: [00:13:36] When I won the national geographic young explorers kind of title, it was really,
[00:13:42] full circle for me because I grew up watching that geo programs, really reading everything that geo and just being a true fan as an environmental kid, and just kind of being an actual Parky. So it was really cool to just have this amazing, opportunity to get involved with national geographic, which is, you know, probably one of the most forward.
[00:14:03] Organizations that there is for the environment and it’s just so respected. So I was extremely honored and humbled that I was accepted into that family. And I’m going to be working out a project with them to hopefully make science more inclusive to everyone. And just to overall show kids how diverse and amazing sciences and hope to change the face of science and not just have it as one type of person.
[00:14:24] So my goal is to show kids how just cool sciences and, you know, It’s it goes far beyond just chemistry and biology. You’re taught in high school or middle school. You know, one class I took last semester, at my college was free of insects and I was ready to change to be an entomology major right then and there, it was so amazing.
[00:14:43] My professor was literally one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. It was just such an amazing experience that I wish that everyone could, it could go through. So, hopefully through that amazing. Partnership with them. I can. Inspire more scientists to attend to this.
[00:15:00] Sheryl: [00:15:00] You were also recently a part of GS USA’s youth change-makers event. Can you tell us about that?
[00:15:06] Shelby Oneil: [00:15:06] So I was able to be part of GSU SSA event to overall inspire more girls, to take on their challenges and they’d take on their, their golden world projects. And it was with the UN Envoy on youth. And it was just so amazing to be part of that and be also with Megan, who is a fellow national gold award girl scout.
[00:15:24] And, Just really talk about our projects and hopefully, you know, be like we can do it, you can do it. to a lot of other girl Scouts.
[00:15:31] Sheryl: [00:15:31] Your gold award has really impacted your life. What is a favorite memory from your gold award or activities that happened because of it?
[00:15:42] Shelby Oneil: [00:15:42] I always love talking to kids in classrooms.
[00:15:44] I think that will always be one of my favorite activities. You know, I’m an only child. So my social interaction with little kids is not as. Long as other people have been able to get deal with. so I, I always love talking to little kids and that’s probably my favorite thing. They’re so brutally honest.
[00:16:01] And I think that’s a trait that a lot of us have lost over time, but I just love it so much. one of my favorites. Times was, I was teaching this class in my actual hometown, San Juan, California. I gave all these kids patches and I was like, you know, we can do it. I gave him activity books in English and Spanish.
[00:16:20] And then I was sitting in my car ready to drive to my house, which is not far away. And this little girl comes, booking it out of the classroom. Like she’s running full speed to her family. That’s waiting and she’s holding up her patch and activity book. And I just started bawling in my car. So I was like, Oh my God, because she was so excited to teach her family.
[00:16:37] And I think in that moment, I was like, Oh, This is like, this is why I’m doing it, you know, but doing it so people understand their impact on the planet and how they can help it or hurt it and just overall be more connected with mother nature. So that moment, right there was probably will always be one of my favorite moments.
[00:16:51] Sheryl: [00:16:51] And what was one of your biggest learning points during your project?
[00:16:55] Shelby Oneil: [00:16:55] Quickly the understanding that not everyone will have the same point of view as me and that, at times you have to be kind of like the Lorax, you know, just. Like relentless. And just always like knowing what you’re talking about, preaching, you know, I will always continue to preach for the environment and just really try to help people understand why it’s so important and why even if you don’t live by the ocean, you’re still impacting the ocean, how the ocean is impacting you.
[00:17:20] So I think learning how to take different mindsets and understanding them is extremely important. I think a lot of people can learn from that as well. And that’s applicable volts of many different social issues we face.
[00:17:32] Sheryl: [00:17:32] What was a challenge during your project that you overcame?
[00:17:35] Shelby Oneil: [00:17:35] A huge challenge starting out you know, it’s not the cheapest of activities to create a nonprofit and just really provide all this pre-education to a lot of people. So I had to get a job. So my first job ever was at an amusement park called Gilroy gardens. And I think that was a huge challenge. Just like working through that and being like.
[00:17:57] I’m doing this for something that will become larger than myself. I hope to educate all these kids. So probably one of my first challenges is understanding, financial responsibility and the financial background of a lot of things and just. Just doing it, like doing my job and just saving up enough money to start juniorish and guardians.
[00:18:15] Sheryl: [00:18:15] You continue to work with junior ocean guardians, very actively. You’re definitely a product of and are always working with them. You’re a college student. How do you balance everything?
[00:18:28] Shelby Oneil: [00:18:28] I was never the student who was in a lot of AP classes because I was simply gone too much doing different things for junior shin guardians.
[00:18:35] And just trying to be the best advocate for mother nature. It could be while also balancing high school. so I was definitely extremely nervous going into, a rigorous school like UC Berkeley. I would, Oh my goodness. How am I going to colleges? And then I quickly realized that the staff is. Like probably the most supportive learning environment I’ve ever been in all the time.
[00:18:56] Professor wants you to succeed and just really, take on this passion. So I would, you know, I did have to miss some college time, you know, advocating for the environment and I told him professors, I was like, hi, I have this opportunity that I would really like to take, but like, If not, I totally understand.
[00:19:11] They’re like, Oh my gosh. Yes, of course we want you to go, like, why wouldn’t we want you to go? So I think trying to foster that, really understanding community, he’s a huge part. And then just also, I am a huge person. Yeah. The voice has to write down my stuff on my calendar. If I don’t write it out, I probably won’t remember it.
[00:19:28] So I have sticky notes everywhere. I have, you know, a wall calendar desk calendar, just so I remember.
[00:19:35] Sheryl: [00:19:35] So where is your education at Berkeley going to take you in the future?
[00:19:38] Shelby Oneil: [00:19:38] So my major is I’m a little confusing to some people because it’s social, Berkeley major, it’s called society and environment. So I’m really studying the intersection of how sociology and people in general really either impact the environment or different political things.
[00:19:56] Because my, my specific focus within my major is global environmental politics. So I hope to be able to, just really take this vast knowledge of environmental issues. I’m whining about much passing, loose plastic. And just kind of educate people how a lot of these issues are connected, because a lot of people don’t understand how the issue of seeing this plastic is connected to climate change and how, you know, combustion of all these different oils and fuels that we have really adds up to something much larger that we don’t even understand fully and just underlying having.
[00:20:28] Being the connecting dot to a lot of things I hope to be. so I’m not sure where it will take me. if you either go into policy, I could go into law. If I really felt like it’s a pre law track. don’t know if I want to do that yet. but you know, I feel like it’s limitless.
[00:20:43] Sheryl: [00:20:43] Part of your project was getting a law passed for California. What went into that experience?
[00:20:49] Shelby Oneil: [00:20:49] I had my, my no straw November resolution at the time when, AB 1884, which is single use plastic straws upon requests. So straws upon request. both of those straw legislations were going through the California assembly and Senate at the same time. and it was truly perfect pairing because we were able to.
[00:21:08] No straw November was able to go through the Senate first. And we were able to see who would vote yes. On just a resolution who would vote. No, and it was, it was very eye opening to see just how everything has to be and how having the right people and just overall. Trying to foster this, you know, broader care of the environment.
[00:21:28] So it was incredible. And for the legislation for AB 1884 legislation, I was able to become a key testifying witness for the committee of natural resources. And I came in my Crow scout vest, and I was basically just telling them why they should care about the ocean and why this legislation, you know, Limiting sinew, spastic straws being given out just right away is actually really good thing economically for a lot of small businesses, as they can save money over time, not giving up this resource that they necessarily don’t have to give out.
[00:21:57] So it’s really cool to be able to connect. you know, just my like earth loving side is just like an economic and business standpoint, because it does make sense for a lot of businesses to go green economically. And it’s just having them understand that.
[00:22:09] Sheryl: [00:22:09] Outside of your gold award, what other girls scout activities had you been involved with?
[00:22:14] Shelby Oneil: [00:22:14] My favorite activity outside my girl scout gold award project was when I had the chance to work with this amazing girl scout troop. In my local area, I was able to educate them on seeing useless straws and use plastic bags and having like this incredible educational breakthrough moment with them. And then literally like two days later in the week, I also saw them at an airport because I was helping out our local airport giving these girls a tour.
[00:22:40] Cause I was asked to and they got off the bus and they’re like, Shelby! And I had no idea it was this same troop. And I think that was one of my favorite, like no girl scout camps, I’ve been able to be part of.
[00:22:51] Sheryl: [00:22:51] Is there anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
[00:22:53] Shelby Oneil: [00:22:53] If you’re aware, voting age or, you know, smoothies at voting age, please vote in this election, or in continue to vote in your local legislation is an incredibly important time history to get different issues heard within our global, Government impact that we have, you know, USA is a global force for multiple things and we really want to have the best face possible within our, even our local legislation has incredible impact.
[00:23:18] So pass this November. I hope you please still vote, become an active member of your community within that. Even if you can’t vote with your age, you can still reach out to different centers and assembly members, and just really ask for them to advocate for issues. You’re passionate about.
[00:23:33] Sheryl: [00:23:33] How do you make your smores?
[00:23:35] Shelby Oneil: [00:23:35] So as a college student who doesn’t have access to fire that often I’ve mastered the microwaveable support, you know, just that is probably it doesn’t beat, having a campfire more, but just being able to have somewhat of a smaller experience through a microwave. Is incredible and it uplifts me anytime I’m down.
[00:23:56] Sheryl: [00:23:56] Thanks for joining me.
[00:23:58] Shelby Oneil: [00:23:58] Thank you for having me.
[00:23:59] Sheryl: [00:23:59] Make sure to click subscribe. So you always know when new episodes are released and don’t forget to. Power your passion and conquer your challenges.
[00:24:10] Walter: [00:24:10] The hearts of gold podcast is brought to you by the grow and shared network produced by awful Walter media productions.
[00:24:17] Thank you for listening and spreading the word on what we do. If you want to share your story of how you earned your gold award, reach out and send an email to grow and share at outlook. Dot com be sure to listen to the newest episodes on your favorite podcast app, as well as view the full video episodes on youtube.com/SherylMrobinson. That’s youtube.com/sheryl ,the letter M, Robinson. Take care and we’ll see you next time.
