Two College Track New Orleans Scholars Selected for Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Storytelling Internship

NEW ORLEANS, LA (October 15, 2025) — Two College Track New Orleans (CTNO) scholars, Mariah E. of Rooted School and Samanta B. of Sarah T. Reed High School, have been selected for the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) Environmental & Climate Justice Digital Storytellers Internship—a prestigious program empowering students to share local stories about environmental resilience and justice in their communities.

Out of 37 applicants from across the region, Mariah and Samanta were unanimously chosen by the DSCEJ review team to join a small cohort of young storytellers—including students from The NET: Central City and St. Augustine High School. Together, they’ll document local environmental work taking place throughout New Orleans, with NewCorp’s FARMacia Wellness Hub in the 7th Ward serving as a key training site.

Each intern will receive a $3,000 stipend (paid monthly from October 2025 through May 2026) along with transportation support to participate in the program. Over the next eight months, they’ll gain hands-on experience in digital media production, community-based storytelling, and environmental advocacy, culminating in original multimedia projects that highlight local efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.

The opportunity came to College Track through a cherished community partner, Ms. Pam, a long-time mentor and environmental steward at FARMacia who’s been involved with DSCEJ programming since 2024. Upon learning about the Storytellers Internship, Ms. Pam reached out to CTNO, recognizing how well it aligned with College Track’s mission of combining academic preparation, real-world experience, and purpose-driven learning.

“This internship is the essence of what we call ‘so CT,’” said J’Vann L. Martin, Ph.D, Executive Site Director at College Track New Orleans. “It’s place-based, community-centered, and gives our scholars a platform to use their voices to make an impact. Mariah and Samanta are remarkable examples of how our students turn opportunity into action.”

For Mariah and Samanta, this moment represents more than just an internship—it’s a chance to amplify their community’s stories and deepen their understanding of the connections between environmental health, equity, and justice in their hometown.

College Track New Orleans extends heartfelt congratulations to both scholars, their families, and their schools, and gratitude to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and FARMacia Wellness Hub for their ongoing partnership and commitment to creating meaningful pathways for the next generation of changemakers.