Team Biographies

Sattam Alharthi

Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in Civil Engineering

“I believe we can make a true difference by helping Rosa Bell to become a self-sufficient institution. We hope this will eventually lead to even bigger achievements for Puerto Rico’s school system.”

Rodrigo Becerra

Cusco, Peru
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in Physics

“I chose to join the Powering Rosa Bell project to help to improve the electric system in the Rosa Bell School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the Rosa Bell school was shut down for months interrupting with the school’s activities. Lest they do not run out of energy again, I consider the use alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, as a viable solution for them to fight the havoc caused by natural disasters. I believe this is a life changing project for our friends in Puerto Rico because we will increase their energy efficiency, lowering their bill costs and improving their resilience against natural disasters. I hope this project fosters the use of alternative energies and their future adoption.”

Gabriela dos Santos

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in Electrical Engineering

“I had friends’ family affected by the hurricane and I believe that we could make a change. This project is an opportunity for us to help who needs it at the same time that we are providing a better and more efficient energy supply system to these people.”

Patricia Joseph

Witchita, Kansas
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in Political Science and International Studies

“I chose my major with the very intent to somehow create a large enough platform to bring about change that will improve wellness for all! So ideally engaging in acts that promote change are what I strive to do as I start my journey. My parents are natives of Haiti and when the earthquake hit there as a sixth grader I felt hopeless, ‘what could I do to help?’ I felt hopeless and I was on the outside looking in, so I could only imagine what those amongst the disaster were feeling. I got the same feeling when the hurricane in Puerto Rico struck. The lack of intervention bothered me a great deal- Puerto Rico is where many of my friends call home. When the opportunity came about with the ‘Change lab’ to be a helping hand I felt like it was a must.”

John Langmaid

Fort Wayne, Indiana
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in Bio Pre-Med

“I believe in alternative energy and how it is so much better than using fossil fuels. I also believe that our project will positively influence the community of Guaynabo, and may have an impact on the world”

J.J. Miller

Huntingburg, Indiana
Student at the University of Evansville majoring in sports management and business

“I believe that using alternative energy, especially solar energy, can benefit the environment in a positive manner, as well as benefitting communities, such as our project for Guaynabo.”

Mya Whaley

Indianapolis, Indiana
Student at the University of Evansville with an Undeclared major

“I learned in more detail about the devastations of Hurricane Maria through my teammates, coaches, and friends who are from Puerto Rico. The Powering Rosa Bell project gives me an opportunity to lend a hand to the hurricane recuperation at Rosa Bell High School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. By adding solar panels and improving the school's energy efficiency, this project will save Rosa Bell thousands of dollars each month on energy bills and prevent the students from having to miss school in the case that another disaster strikes. I can’t wait to see this project reach its potential!”