Growing up as the son of a meteorologist, Esteban Morales Román learned early that the natural world deserved attention and respect. Weekends at the beach and time spent exploring the island gave him an understanding of Puerto Rico that went beyond its landscapes, teaching him to see his homeland's nature and culture as things worth protecting. His passion for environmental sciences has only deepened that commitment, leading him to collaborate with the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico's CECIA program in the rehabilitation of hiking trails across the island. Now at 17, he brings that conviction into everything he does, leading as President of his school's Student Council and driving environmental initiatives through his school's environmental club. For Esteban, preservation is personal. It is the natural conclusion of a childhood spent falling in love with an island that gave him everything, and a commitment to making sure future generations get to experience the same.