Thank you to all of the team members & partners that let Compostology grow!🌱

jump to: Coalition to Re-Imagine School Waste

COMPOSTOLOGY FAMILY

ANGELINA XU

Compostology Co-Founder

◦ 2021-present

Angelina is a sophomore at Harvard College studying applied math in economics and environmental science & policy. Ever since she was a seventh grader, she has been working with Advika to start composting programs at schools across Montgomery County. As co-president of Compostology, she has had the opportunity to lead postcard campaigns at 20+ schools, lobby in-person at the MD General Assembly, present at the 2021 Maryland Food Recovery Summit, and testify to the MCPS Board of Education and MD House multiple times. When she isn't working on Compostology, she's usually re-watching comfort Disney movies, working on student government projects, and explore new hiking trails!

Contact: angelina.xu.9282@gmail.com

ADVIKA AGARWAL

Compostology Co-Founder

◦ 2021-present

Advika is a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University studying international relations on the pre-med track. She loves all things related to organizing, engaging with younger students, and exploring the youth role in climate solutions. Advika has been involved in student government since 3rd grade and finds her passion in community service. After leading departments in her regional and state student council, she is motivated by the often-overlooked capability of any individual to start long-lasting conversations about change. Besides Compostology - her favorite thing to work on ☺ - Advika loves singing (especially Hindustani and Western classical styles), learning about modern art, and playing as many board games as possible with her family!

Contact: advika.agarw@gmail.com

KAREENA GUPTA

◦ July 2021 - present

Compostology President

CLARA BECKER

Compostology Vice President of Advocacy

◦ July 2024 - present

Kareena is a Senior at the Poolesville High School Global Ecology Magnet Program in Maryland. Prior to her role as Compostology President, she was a Compostology Director, working start and manage a composting program at Wayside Elementary School and Hoover Middle School while coordinating programs in other schools in Montgomery County. Outside of her commitment to Compostology, Kareena enjoys tennis, piano, dance, birding, and gardening!

Contact: kareena4532@gmail.com

Clara is a Senior at Poolesville High School's Global Ecology Magnet

Program interested in environmental science and policy. She has taken on an advocacy and presentation role within Compostology, helping with our SB124 postcard campaigns. In her free time, she loves to play music with friends, spend time with family, and go camping!

SAFORA NOOR

Compostology Vice-President of Finance

◦ July 2025 - present

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Safora is a senior at Towson High School. Safora has been involved in Compostology since middle school as a postcard campaign manager collecting postcards from her middle and high school for SB124. Currently, Safora serves as the VP of Compostology focusing on grant funding and financing. Apart from her involvement in the organization, Safora loves painting, going on walks, and watching tv shows!

SOPHIE NGUYEN

Composting Director

◦ July 2022-2025

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Sophie a freshman at Harvard University interested in studying government and applied math. She has been involved in county-wide student government since 8th grade, exploring different ways to elevate the student voice. Starting off her Compostology journey as a Compost Director in 9th grade, she helped lead a postcard campaign at her school to support SB124 and jumpstart a composting program at a local middle school. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, and finding cafes to study at!

EMILY LIU

Compostology Director

LILIANA KATZ-HOLLANDER

Composting Director

◦ June 2023 - June 2024

◦ August 2024 - 2025

Emily is a sophomore at Bowdoin College studying Government and Education. She is extremely passionate about driving social change with others. Emily joined Compostology in her sophomore year of high school, where she led postcard campaigns, started a composting program at her high school, and presented at the 2023 Montgomery County Youth Climate Summit. In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends, singing karaoke, and reading!

Liliana is a freshman at Smith College, and a dedicated student and youth advocate who is passionate about exploring different areas including arts, academia, and advocacy. She spends time advocating for environmental justice and women's rights and with different organizations, ranging from Compostology to the Young Feminist Party, having had the opportunity to host events, lobby legislators, and engage in direct action. She is also involved with activities such as Mock Trial, theater, and chorus.

Our Student Members

Ariana Zemichal

Siddhant Agarwal

Tyra Vu

11th Grade, Paint Branch High School

11th Grade, Clarksburg High School

7th Grade, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

July 2025-Present

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Saanvi Lanke

Lulu Li

Lulu is a junior at Winston Churchill High School

July 2025-Present

Saanvi is an 8th grader from Shady Grove Middle School. She has four years of experience in student leadership, including SGA, MoCo EmpowHER, SAC, and NJHS. In her free time, she enjoys debating, karate, violin, volleyball, and hanging out with friends.

July 2025-Present

Mary Mekonnen

July 2025-Present

Mary is a sophomore at Paint Branch High School. She loves to travel to new places, eat different kinds of food, and discover random trivia facts! She also enjoys teaching little kids at her church!

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Grace Chi

July 2025-Present

Grace is a Sophomore at Poolesville High School.

Coalition to Re-Imagine School Waste

In August 2021, Compostology joined forces with the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Capital Compost team led by Ms. Erica Weiss to bring school food waste diversion and recovery to the attention of Montgomery County and Maryland officials, resulting in our $48,000 grant from the World Wildlife Fund and introduction of Maryland State Bill 124. Our community partnerships ensure that our programs plant seeds for long-lasting, sustainable food waste action and environmental/civic education. Now, we're inviting other teams to join our now-global Coalition for guidance, group learning, data-sharing, and creative ideation.

coalition advisors

Advisor

Ms. Erica Weiss

Erica Weiss brings over 25 years of experience in public health, the arts, and small business development. Erica earned her Master’s Degree in Public Health and her Master’s Degree in the Science of Urban Planning from Columbia University, NYC. She serves as the Sr. Writer and Content Strategist for the National Association of Community Health Centers, and for fun, she is a ceramic artist, kayaker, and activist for smart-green initiatives. Recently, Erica helped a the coalition pass statewide legislation for a new $1.25 million grant program in support of composting and food recovery at schools throughout Maryland.

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Advisor

Mr. Joe Richardson, Sr.

Education has always been a passion for Joe. In 2002, Joe discovered his passion for environmental land stewardship and quickly began transforming the Bar-T Mountainside campus into a model for sustainability initiatives and an ideal location for offering hands-on outdoor science and environmental education for students and others. As MEE's Lunch Out of Landfills Facilitator, Joe collaborates with the Frederick County Composting Working Group, Frederick County Rotary Clubs, Key Compost, and school administrators, staff, teachers, and students to teach kids about importance of reducing food waste, recycling, and composting through daily waste sorting in school cafeterias.

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Advisor

Mr. John Meyer III

John Meyer III is the Recycling Manager in the Sustainability and Compliance Division of MCPS’s Department of Facilities Management, and has worked closely with Compostology and the Coalition in the past few years to implement programs throughout MCPS.

maryland coalition supporters

Maryland Delegate Jared Solomon

Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian

Montgomery County Council Member Gabe Albornoz