The Ripple Effect: New Students Join Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board

Pictured: Pahan Jayarathna and John L'Heureux

When it comes to shaping the future of the City’s flood protection program, every voice matters, including young Virginia Beach residents. This year, two Princess Anne High School students have joined the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board (FPBROB) as non-voting members, bringing fresh ideas to the table. 

Meet the New Student Members 

Pahan Jayarathna
A junior in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Pahan has wide-ranging interests in environmental health and technology. He’s already earned national recognition at the 2025 U.S. Nationals Invention Convention and has worked on projects ranging from water mapping and flood detection at Old Dominion University to participating in NASA’s Space Coast Scholars program.

Having seen flooding affect his own neighborhood, Pahan is interested in how creative ideas and technology can strengthen community resilience. On the FPBROB, he hopes to share his technical skills including computer programming, data analysis and visualization. In his free time, Pahan can be found playing piano, practicing taekwondo, birdwatching or listening to music. 

John L'Heureux
A senior in the IB and Environmental Studies programs, John has his sights set on a career in environmental science and conservation. He’s seen how flooding can disrupt daily life and is passionate about nature-based solutions, such as living shorelines and tree planting, that strengthen coastlines and improve resiliency.

Outside of school, John serves the community as part of the Conservation Youth Team at the Virginia Zoo and plans litter cleanups as a student ambassador with Keep Virginia Beautiful. He is treasurer of Friends of Live Oaks and is beginning an internship with Lynnhaven River NOW. By serving on the FPBROB, John wants to ensure that the perspectives of young people, especially those who can’t yet vote, are heard in local decision-making. 

Learning Through Service  

Pahan and John will each serve a one-year term through June 2026, using the experience to give back while gaining knowledge they can carry into the future. By sharing their ideas and perspectives, they’re adding fresh voices to the Board’s discussions and showing how students can play an important role in shaping Virginia Beach’s future. 

“Their involvement is a win for the City, the Board and the students alike,” said FPBROB Chairman Jeff Waller. “It’s been great getting to know John and Pahan, and I’m excited to see the energy and ideas they’ll bring to the Board.” 

Find out more on the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board and its work on more than 40 projects in the Flood Protection Program at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect. 

Residents and high school students can learn more about serving on one of the City's 60 appointive agencies at VirginiaBeach.gov/AppointedAgencies. If you’d like to get involved, submit a Talent Bank application to the City Clerk's Office.   

The Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program — The Ripple Effect — is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address recurrent flooding in Virginia Beach. In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city. The projects are led by Public Works with support from a community oversight board for transparency and accountability. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect.

• Ripple Effect
• Talent Bank