At 18 years old, Peters Township High School graduating senior Lily Goldbach has already built a résumé that rivals professionals twice her age. With a passion for wildlife, a gift for leadership and more than 400 hours of service through the Wildlife Leadership Academy( WLA), Lily is blazing a trail for her generation of environmental stewards.
Lily, daughter of David and Jennifer Goldbach, is involved in nearly every environmental and leadership opportunity available at PTHS. A member of Horticulture Club, SAFE( Students Active for the Environment), National Honors Society, Student Council, Interact Club and the Wall of Honor Team, she also has a passion for music and finds time to perform in nearly every musical ensemble offered— from Marching Band to Wind Symphony.
Outside the classroom, she sits on the Peters Township Environmental Quality Board and is a certified Conservation
Ambassador through the Wildlife Leadership Academy.
Her journey with WLA began when her gifted education teacher, Judy Alexander, saw potential in her passion for fish and game.“ She noticed my interest and nominated me to apply,” says Lily.“ I made it through two rounds and was accepted into Ursids— the most sought-after camp— with a focus on black bears.”
Since then, Lily has attended five different WLA field schools, earned four prestigious awards and become a youth mentor. Her WLA accolades include two leadership awards— the Gadugi Award for community spirit and indigenous engagement and the Ralph Abele Excellence in Conservation Outreach Award, which is WLA’ s highest honor.
That final award recognized 286 hours of service and included a $ 500 scholarship.“ Winning that award with Dr. Gary Alt in the room— he’ s a legend in bear biology— was one of the most meaningful moments of my life,” says Lily.
Each WLA field school includes immersive learning with professionals. Days are packed with lectures, mock wildlife CSI, and hands-on experiences. But it’ s the connections made, and mentorship given, that have meant the most to Lily.
“ My favorite part about WLA is the people it brings together,” she explains.“ We’ re all from different backgrounds, but we’ re united by this common passion. It’ s always amazing to see how much we grow by the end of the week.”
One experience stands out as especially memorable for Lily— tagging bear cubs with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.“ It was freezing, and we hiked a mile up a cliff with snow flurries, but I would do it again in a heartbeat,” she says.“ The wardens handed me all three cubs and
said,‘ We need a photo of you for Gary!’ There’ s no right way to hold three bear cubs, but I’ ll never forget that moment.”
In addition to shadowing eight game wardens, Lily has led her school’ s environmental clubs, helped plant nearly 400 trees, built a greenhouse and shared educational presentations in her community. Her outreach has spanned media, education, creative arts and outdoor mentorship.
“ I’ ve learned that leadership can be quiet. It can mean stepping in when someone else needs help. That’ s something WLA taught me— leadership takes many forms.”
This fall, Lily will attend West Virginia University, where she plans to major in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources with a focus on terrestrial species. She hopes to become a certified wildlife biologist and work in conservation or conservation law enforcement.
“ I want to study the‘ warm and fuzzies,’ not the‘ cold and slimies,’” she jokes.“ Bears are my jam— definitely not fish guts.”
Her advice to other students?“ Get involved and don’ t be afraid to do what you love, even if you’ re the only one doing it. Networking and community engagement will open more doors than you can imagine.”
From a shy high school freshman with a passion for bears to an award-winning leader with a clear vision for the future, Lily Goldbach is a shining model of what it means to lead by example— and to care deeply about the world we all share. n
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