2021 Advocacy Project Pitch Competition
This summer, Defend Them All hosted a Virtual Advocacy Internship Program for 10 students interested in exploring animal and environmental law and policy. The diverse backgrounds and interests of these students have fostered productive conversations and compelling ideas - we are excited to share their project proposals with you and hope you will help us decide which ones to take on first.
Kevin Kurzeja - Opposing the Proposed Killingly Energy Center
My name is Kevin Kurzeja and I am a second-year law student specializing in energy and environmental law at The George Washington University. My passion for the environment stems from the summer vacations I took with my family growing up, where I had the opportunity to camp in and explore various national and state parks. The respect and love for wildlife as well as natural ecosystems I gained through these trips is still a driving force behind why I am pursing a career which will allow me to protect nature on a daily basis.
Ella Rose Steven - Protecting Australian Biodiversity
Kia ora, my name is Ella Rose Steven and I am a fifth year law and geography conjoint student at the University of Auckland. Growing up among the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, I have always cared deeply about animals and the environment. As I became more aware of the great harm my own species was causing to the planet and other species that call it home, I became determined to help heal humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
Casey Shook - Ending the Caged Bird Trade
My name is Casey Shook and I am a third-year law student specializing in animal law at Willamette University. I developed a passion for animals during my childhood through exploring Florida’s parks and wildlife, and learning through pet ownership about the intelligence and capacity for emotion that animals possess. I believe that animals deserve far more respect and legal protections than humans have given them, and I aspire to enhance these protections and assist like-minded advocates and organizations who work to do the same.
Arpita Kundu - Establishing Labels with Intentions
My name is Arpita Kundu and I am a third-year law student at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. My passion for protecting animals and the environment stems from my sense of justice. For far too long, humans have taken actions purely for their own interests, paying little to no heed to their consequences. While there is no way to completely reverse was has been done, we must do all we can to mitigate the damage and minimize suffering as we move forward.
Julian Kanter - Proposing Oregon’s Animal Protection Party
Dearest party animals, my name is Julian Kanter, and I am beginning my third year of law school at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. As a young man, with Steve Irwin, Muhammad Ali, and my wonderful mother as my A-Team of role models, I was bound to embrace the natural world and combat injustice. That’s still the plan; cheers.
Julia Laquidara - Defending the Whitespotted Eagle Ray
My name is Julia Laquidara and I am a second-year law student specializing in environmental law at Florida International University. My passion for the environment stems from my mom who taught me the value of nature at a young age. Also, living on the water in Florida allowed me to have many encounters with amazing wildlife when I was younger and those experiences have led me to want to protect wildlife and the natural environment to the best of my abilities.
Caelle Mckaveney - Saving the Tope Shark
My name is Caelle McKaveney and I am a second-year law student specializing in intellectual property and environmental law at the University of San Diego School of Law. As a San Diego native, I have been blessed with a wide variety of opportunities to explore and fall in love with diverse ecosystems and all the wonderful animals within them. Whether it be at the beach, mountains, desert, or my own home, I am here to learn about and protect all our Earth’s creatures.
John O’Dell - A More Cautious Approach to Wind Energy
My name is John O’Dell and I am a third year law student at Vermont Law School. My legal interests include: energy, environmental, and animal law. I am from New Jersey and have always loved spending my summers at the Jersey Shore. When the weather gets cold, I enjoy snowboarding the mountains of Vermont or playing hockey. My passion for pursuing a career protecting the environment stems from my philosophical underpinning to represent something that can not represent itself. I grew up fascinated with the earth and its inhabitants, and I hope to protect it for future generations to come.
Encouraging a More Cautious Approach to Wind Energy Fact Sheet
Yueqi Yang - Compassion for Dalian’s Animal Companions
My name is Yueqi Yang and I am a rising 2L at the George Washington University interested in animal law, especially those concerning companion animals. I am from Dalian, China, a beautiful city half-surrounded by the ocean. My passion for animal protection stems from the love and comfort that I received from my cat, who fills me with optimism and confidence. However, people too oftenly mistreat these animals and leave them to suffer on their own. I believe that companion animals deserve good treatments and respect, and hope I can make a difference in their lives.
Jonathan Webster - The Return to Roots Initiative
Hello! My name is Jonathan Webster and I am a second-year law student specializing in environmental law at the University of San Diego School of Law. My passion for the environment comes from both my belief in the intrinsic value of nature and my belief that it is in mankind’s best interest to preserve and protect our natural resources. In my free time I enjoy hiking and rock climbing, as those hobbies enable me to appreciate what our world provides.
