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.

A 2012 SSC Scholarship for Ashley Gonzolaz

Pictured here with Ashley is SSC’s president, Dave Powell

Ashley Gonzalez earned a 2012 SSC Scholarship.  Ashley began at Martin County High School and worked her way into Clark Advanced Learning Center.  By graduation this past spring, she had also received her AA Degree.

Growing up in Florida, Ashley has always been interested in water, marine life and marine organisms.  She got her diver’s certification when she was 12.  Her interest in becoming a marine biologist came early, and she also developed an interest in helping those sick and in need, which may push her toward becoming a marine veterinarian.

In addition to volunteering at the Red Cross, soup kitchens, Molly’s House and fund raisers, she has volunteered at the Humane Society and interned at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, where she still volunteers for them.  She also participated in the Service Learning Class going out to DuPuis helping maintain plants and wildlife and collecting data and results.

Ashley plans to attend Florida Atlantic University in the fall.

Luke Karner Awarded 2012 SSC Scholarship

Luke Karner from Martin County High School was awarded a 2012 SSC Scholarship Award.  Luke has been accepted at Florida Atlantic University but is considering completely his associates degree at Indian River State College first.  He also plans to attend Chapman School of Seamanship this summer getting his captains license.

Luke has been active donating his time at Florida Oceanographic and received his intern certification.  He has earned money during high school for college by running his own lawn service.  During the summer of 2010, he worked with Research Aquaculture, Inc.  in oyster and clam gardening.   By continuing his associate’s degree work at Indian River, he could continue to earn money for his later “on-campus” life.

Presenting Luke with his scholarship is SSC’s Mary Jo Grell.

Anthony Hernandez Receives 2012 SSC Scholarship

A 2012 Scholarship was awarded to Anthony Hernandez of South Fork High School.  In addition to meeting SSC’s requirements, Anthony has been very active in the Marine Industry and has donated many hours of his time to Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, and Beach Clean Up activities.  He is also a member of the Oceanographic Club and has served as Vice President.

Anthony has attended summer courses at Indian River State College studying Environmental Science and Marine Science.  He plans to get a PHD in Marine Biology and begin a career as a Marine Biologist.

Pictured here with Anthony is Stuart Sailfish Club’s vice president, Curt Croteau.