News from Annie Majette - 2014 Recipient

Update from 2013 Scholarship Recipient Brisley Lopez

“School is going fine, and I've been real busy this semester! I got another job so now I have two! I've also made a big choice to double major. I'm aiming for a BS in biology and a BA in chemistry!  I'm currently taking Physics 1, Chemistry 2, and a biology elective that is a mix of biology and psychology... I forget what exactly it's called but it's a mouthful. 

Hope to see you soon in the summer if i get a chance!”

Schedule permitting, Brisley plans to help out at some of our summer events so we look forward to seeing her soon!

CONGRATS TO 2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

STUART SAILFISH CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND

2014 Award Recipients

Our Scholarship Program is also a means by which we can ensure our precious resources for future generations.  We go a long way toward practicing sound conservation principles by encouraging and financially assisting those young men and women whose career interests lie in the field of Marine Science.

The Stuart Sailfish Club now offers up to five scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000 to students who meet the following criteria:

·         Must be in the upper one third of his/her class.

·         Must be entering a field of endeavor in the Marine Industry (i.e. Oceanography, Marine Biology, Fishery Management, Seamanship, Boat Building, etc.).

 

 

Club member Allison Wigley (left) presenting to Kristen Geiger

 Martin County High School Kristen Geiger

 Kristen, after reading her list of awards, accomplishes and ringing endorsements (not only from only those within the community, but her peers) one has to wonder is there anything this young lady cannot do? Strong in science and the environment, Kristen is also a force to be reckoned with on the softball field. At such a young age she has found something most adults struggle with their entire life, finding balance in life to not only accomplish, but excel in all areas. Kristen will graduate High School with the great honor of Class Valedictorian, numerous top places finishes & awards in nationally recognized science fairs. Kristen hopes to major in Biology and/or Global Health with aspirations of not only helping those locally, but the people of the world.
 
 

Club Member Dave Powell presenting to Annie and Sarah

Jensen Beach High School Annie Majette and Sarah Stewart

 Annie, with her roots well-grounded in the ecosystem she has had the privilege to grow up around, Annie spends her spare time volunteering with groups that work hard to protect the very fragile ecosystem we all love. The Environmental Studies Center has been a constant staple in her life from visiting it as a young child to now volunteering there to teach the up and coming generations.  Most if not all here volunteer work has been with groups that are close to her heart like Earth Savers, she has been a speaker at both River Coalition and Everglades Coalition Conferences and as mentioned above she is a staple at the Environmental Studies Center. This fall she will be attending University of South Florida with the expectations of moving on to their environmental program based in St. Petersburg.

Sarah is deeply concern with what is happening to the water ways has grown up on, she has become very active in protecting the environment around the community she grew up. Through her volunteer work she works to help protect and restore the deteriorating conditions in the Indian River Lagoon. She strongly believes that education both for a better solution and to educate those who live around the extremely fragile ecosystem is the key to restoring the once beautiful waterway.  Despite over coming several life changing obstacles at such a young age, through hard work and a good attitude she has been offered a seat at University of South Florida this fall. She is very excited about continuing her education with the hopes of teaching others what she has learned to make this world a better place.

 

Club Member Betty Olliges presents to Andrew and Regina

South Fork High School Regina Murphy and Andrew Holzinger

 Regina, At such a young age Regina has already given so much with aspirations on giving so much more, one can only wonder what such a driven individual can achieve. Winning numerous awards has opened several doors, but the door that open she is most proud of, she opened herself. Reading with Regina is a program she developed to help underprivileged children whose primary langue is not English, to read and become more fluent in the English langue. After weekly story time, Regina then provides each child a book of their own. Books donations and Regina’s love for helping others make this program (which has been highlight in several local publications) possible. Her volunteer work at the Treasure coast Wildlife Center has help given her some direction for life after high school, she will be attending University of Florida, pursuing a degree in Environmental Sciences. With her accomplishments to date including several national recognized awards, there is nothing this young lady cannot do.

Andrew, like most of our recipients has a love for the water, environment and community that he openly shares with those around him. Andrew has become somewhat of a fixture the last three years at the Florida Oceanographic Society, so much so he is the only teen volunteer on the weekly schedule. Because of his local knowledge of the ecosystem, Andrew was asked to help develop and teach several classes at FOS’s Specialty Immersion Summer programs. Putting in more hours than most of his peers do at part time jobs, Andrew receives high marks from all those who work with him. Andrew hopes to start continuing his education this fall at Florida Institute of Technology where he will study Marine Biology.

 

We would like to thank all the members, tournament sponsors and tournament participants whose generous contributions last year allowed us to present these scholarships and enable us to continue to do so. And thanks to all who bought raffle tickets for the Scholarship Fund at the General Meetings.

 

2011 Jensen Beach Grad Amanda Alker is doing great!

 Amanda fishing the 2012 SSC Ladies Tournament on R-Ka-Nu

Amanda with her dolphin at weigh-in

Click on image to expand and read

2 years already??? How did that happen so quickly! Anyway, thanks for the newsy update, Amanda

After leaving Jensen Beach HS, Amanda moved on to Florida Atlantic U where she continues her studies for a career in Marine Ecology. And, 2 years later she has received an internship for Fall, 2013 in Bermuda at the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences. That’s a really big deal, Amanda. Congratulations!

Click on Amanda’s update above to read the details. And, future HS grads, note Amanda’s “recommendation to younger students” in the last sentence of her paragraph. Wise council there!

Keep up the good work, Amanda. You make us proud!

CONGRATS TO 2013 SSC SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Dave Powell with Greg Kusel and Ashley Meade

Representing Martin County High School are Greg Kusel and Ashley Meade.

 Greg has been active with the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts and has received some of their highest awards, as well as being active in several other civic activities. In the area of marine service and conservation, he has volunteered with the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuse, Indian River lagoon Oyster Habitat Restoration, and Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup. He plans to study Environmental Engineering at University of Florida in order to focus on such issues as water runoff, nutrient levels in water and how to encourage efficient use of land to maximize the natural habitat for plants and animals.

 Ashley was awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Congressional Meals for her voluntary public service. Among other activities, she has worked with the American Red Cross and Boys and Girls Club. She has over 650 volunteer hours. Additionally, she is a member of the Treasure Coast Junior Rowing Club and has won several awards. Ashley will attend U of F, FIT, or SUNY where she plans a double major in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology as well as Biology.

 

 Liz Cordier with Jennifer Guerra and Victoria Caba

From Jensen Beach High School are Jennifer Guerra and Victoria Caba.

 Included among the many organizations Victoria has volunteered for during high school are Beach Clean Up, Treasured Lands Foundation, Red Cross, Humane Society, and the Environmental Study Center. She plans to attend University of Miami, University of South Florida, or Florida Institute of Technology and study Marine Biology. “One personal goal of mine is to continue to work to keep our marine ecosystems and marine habitat healthy and clean. Water is viewed as a renewable resource, but our oceans and its ecosystems are nonrenewable.”

 In addition to the many extracurricular activities at school (Key Club, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Earth Savers Crew, Cheerleader, Relay for Life to name a few), Jennifer has nearly 200 volunteer hours with such groups as the Environmental Studies Center and Environmental Studies Junior Council. She understands that realizing her dream of becoming a Marine Biologist will be a financial challenge for her and her family, but she is determined. She plans to attend UCF and major in Marine Biology.

 

 

 

Liz Cordier with Brisly Lopez

 

Representing South Fork High School is Brisly Lopez.

Brisly’s co-curricular activities have been largely focused with JROTC. “I was the S-5 assistant sophomore year, a Company Commander my junior year, and I am currently the primary S-6. S-5 is in charge of public affairs, which includes taking pictures and posting up newsletters for every month. Being Company Commander, I am in charge of 2 classes, a total of about 40 students. Our mission is to help teach the cadets about JROTC and to help influence them to be better citizens. I am now the primary S-6, and in charge of organizing major events such as the Raider PACMAN Challenge, Military Ball, and the Homecoming float. We won 1st place in both the Raider Challenge and Homecoming float.”

Brisly plans to attend Florida Atlantic University or Indian River State College to study Marine Biology and become a Marine Biologist.

 Many thanks to all our 2013 Scholarship Recipients for helping out at SSC functions this summer. Special recognition goes to Greg and Brisly whose faces have become familiar to us on several accessions.

Hollis Bulba Makes Waves with Help of Stuart Sailfish Club Scholarship

Hollis receives her scholarship award from SSC's Betty Olliges in 2008

Stuart, FL – Hollis Bulba, a graduate of South Fork High School, is well on her way to achieving her educational and career goals in environmental science as a result of winning a scholarship from the Stuart Sailfish Club in 2008.  “Without the help of the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go away to college,” stated Hollis.

As a high school student, Hollis learned of the Stuart Sailfish Club Scholarship through an informational packet handed out at school.  In 2008 she was awarded a scholarship along with Kelly Knoth of Martin County High School and Mitchell White of Jensen Beach High School.

Today Hollis is a full-time student at Florida International University and is expected to graduate in the fall of 2012.  Hollis recently switched her major to environmental science from marine biology.  “I just feel that environmental science is a little more broad.  It can still cover research and marine life studies,” she said.

Traveling is an exciting aspect of her educational studies.  Recently, Hollis went to the Bahamas with a professor and his graduate students.  She helped students with their projects by doing fieldwork and collecting samples.  “So far, this is the coolest place I’ve gotten to go!” enthused Hollis.

This summer, Hollis is traveling to the Peruvian Amazon with the FIU Honors College.  Students attending the trip are required to devise their own research projects.  Each project must meet a service obligation to be of help or be of use to the indigenous tribes in the surrounding area.

Hollis’s project focuses on assessing some of the problems of overfishing that natives are currently experiencing.  “The people are saying that every year there seems like there is less fish harvested,” she explained.  “Fishing is an extremely large part of their culture, their livelihood and is a major protein source.  I want to assess things like what type of fish have they noticed disappearing to gather information that would be helpful to protecting the fish during spawning and other conservation methods.”

The Stuart Sailfish Club Scholarship Program played a major role in helping Hollis reach for her dreams.  Her advice to other students entering the fields of marine science is, “to study hard, make connections and get involved to gain as much experience as possible!”

Amanda Moller Gains a 2012 Stuart Sailfish Club Scholarship

Pictured here with Amanda is Capt. VJ Bell of the Stuart Sailfish Club

Amanda Moller received a 2012 SSC scholarship.  Amanda graduated from Jensen Beach High School and was immediately  accepted at Florida Gulf Coast University where she plans to study marine biology.  “For as long as I can remember, whenever I was asked, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up’, my answer was, and is to this day, a marine biologist”.

Amanda began volunteering at Florida Oceanographic her freshman year and served a summer internship.  Further, included in her 200 or so hours of volunteer work, she coached volleyball at the YMCA and joined the high school team her sophomore year.  Additionally, she takes part in the Earth Savers Crew working with the Environmental Studies Center.

In addition to all her school and volunteer efforts, she has worked about 20 hrs. per week earning money helping to pay her way along.