BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley high school senior has been chosen as one of this year’s Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania.
Ojas Batheja, a Parkland High School student, was among 28 students from across the commonwealth to be included in the 2025-26 cohort, according to a Thursday news release from state officials.
“Youth across the state are more engaged in this fight than ever before."PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll
In its fourth year, the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program aims to engage youth interested in community stewardship and civic leadership, working to keep the commonwealth clean and beautiful.
In the program, held by the state Transportation Department and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, participants get training about litter prevention, waste management, civic engagement and more.
“Restoring and preventing environmental damage means making sure our future leaders have the ecological know-how to make sustainable change happen,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said.
“Youth across the state are more engaged in this fight than ever before. With the fourth year of the Young Ambassadors program underway, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PennDOT are helping plant the seeds for a cleaner future.”
‘Amazing young leaders’
In the program, which runs through May, ambassadors will develop civic leadership skills and gain hands-on experience, officials said.
Students chosen are from 10th through 12th grades, and include diverse socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.
Each participant will receive Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful merchandise and cleanup supplies.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful also will award two $1,000 scholarships to a current senior in the Young Ambassadors program and one to an alum of the program.
"We’re excited to kick off the fourth year of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Young Ambassador Program,” Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful President Shannon Reiter said.
“Each year, these amazing young leaders bring fresh ideas and real energy to our communities. We continue to be inspired by the passion, creativity, and leadership they demonstrate.
"We’re proud to support this next generation of changemakers.”
