Say Yes Alumni Spotlight

Louisa Reitzel dedicated herself to her studies during her high school years, determined to attend college and secure a bright future. After earning a bachelor’s of science degree in environmental studies from SUNY ESF this past May, she reflected on her college journey and recognized Say Yes Syracuse as a significant catalyst for her educational and personal growth.

“Say Yes gave me the chance to attend one of the most highly ranked environmental schools in the country, and from that, so many opportunities have come my way,” said Louisa, a graduate of Corcoran High School.

Throughout her time in high school, Louisa participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. Not only was she involved in school sports and music, but she was also an active member of the community. Louisa first heard about Say Yes Syracuse from her guidance counselor during her freshman year at Corcoran High School.

“Learning about Say Yes made the idea of going to college seem more attainable and put me at ease,” she said. “I knew I would be surrounded by a support system the entire time and be provided with financial assistance.”

When college application deadlines rolled around, Louisa spent time filling out the Say Yes application with her family. She expressed that her Say Yes Syracuse Tuition Scholarship made it possible for her to attend SUNY ESF, where she majored in environmental studies with a concentration in policy planning and law.

“I began by completing courses in biology, chemistry, ecology, geography, engineering, forestry and much more,” she explained. “It was fun meeting so many people who also had the same niche interests for their career as me. I learned so many new things about topics I was already passionate about and even developed new passions within the field”.

After completing her basic requirements, Louisa began to focus on her concentration, diving deeper into learning how environmental policies, plans and laws are created and implemented on a local and global scale. Emphasizing legislative, regulatory and collaborative approaches to addressing environmental issues was crucial to deepening her understanding of how the environment and society work together.

Louisa recalled focusing on the studies that she was passionate about while also engaging in other fun opportunities on and off campus. She joined a number of extracurricular clubs like Syracuse University’s Marching and Athletic Band, where she played the saxophone during school sporting events.

“Band was an amazing experience,” she said. “I was able to meet new people outside of class, continue my love of music, travel, build relationships and be a part of an organization with a great reputation!”

Since her graduation this past May, Louisa has been relaxing, working a summer job and preparing for her newest most exciting journey yet—law school.

“I will be attending Vermont Law and Graduate School in a few weeks to work towards becoming an environmental lawyer!” she exclaimed. “I want to help people who have been affected by pollution and other environmental disparities.”

Louisa believes that Say Yes Syracuse has opened numerous doors for her academic growth, and is grateful for the continuous support she has received along the way.

“I encourage students interested in a Say Yes Syracuse scholarship to just do it!” she said. “It helps ease your mind in terms of finances, allowing you to fully focus on your college goals.”

Appreciative of the opportunities she has been given, Louisa remains committed to giving back to her community and inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

About Say Yes Syracuse:

Say Yes Syracuse provides full-tuition scholarships from a range of over 100 public and private college and university partners for eligible graduates to attend. The scholarships provide broad access for students who may otherwise have not been able to afford college due to significant economic and racial disparities.

Beyond the financial support, Say Yes Syracuse can help guide families to additional resources like academic support specialists, mental health clinics and legal services designed to help mitigate the systemic barriers to higher education.