Bangor High School would like to congratulate Kosis Ifeji, Class of 2022, on her recent Brookie Award, presented by The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Kosis was recognized by NCRM with the 2022 Brookie Award for her environmental leadership. The Brookie awards honors Maine’s young environmental changemakers for their leadership, creativity and positive impact for Maine’s environment.

Kosis is the co-chair of the Nature Based Education Consortium’s Climate Education Policy Advocacy Working Group. Kosis and her group identified that Maine’s public-school students lack adequate education on the causes, impacts, and solutions to climate change. She led an effort to ensure climate education was included in the Maine Climate Council’s top recommendations. Going a step further, Kosis and her team organized a climate education summit to bring students, teachers, and allies together to develop solutions. The concept for a $3 million climate education policy emerged, and her group developed legislation to meet the needs of Maine students and teachers. Kosis played a key role in getting the bill introduced and passed at the Legislative Council, ensuring strong support at the public hearing, and strong votes in the House and Senate. The bill now awaits funding at the Appropriations Committee. Kosis is leading the effort to generate communications into Committee members to fund the bill. 

Kosis is a demonstrated leader who works effectively with partners of all ages. She and her team developed a creative solution and mobilized students and teachers statewide in support of their cause. Kosis is a proud woman of color who hopes to serve as a role model for other women of color to use their voices to fight for what they believe in.

Click Here for a full list of awardees.