PCHS Bulletin – Jayden Martinez
Date Published – Sept. 24, 2025
Parrish Community High School's Marine Science Club, under the leadership of Savanna Finley, is making waves with a fresh start to the new school year. The club held its first meeting on August 19, welcoming a surge of new members and outlining an ambitious plan for the months ahead, complete with exciting outings and opportunities for students.
"Our first meeting was all about meeting the members and talking about what our meetings and outings will look like," said Finley. She expressed her excitement over the high turnout, noting, "Fortunately we have many new members that are interested and excited about being active in the club!"
In addition to welcoming the new members, the club welcomes its 2025-2026 officers:
Claire Carlton – President
Emerson Hunter – Vice President
Mia Caragiulo – Secretary
Alexis Bartosiewicz - Historian
The club wasted no time diving into action with a recent trip to Emerson Point Preserve on August 30. The outing was a great success, with members engaging in "dip netting for new fish residents" for the school's aquarium. The highlight of the day was an incredible catch that included two Burrfish, which were named Mac and Cheese, and five seahorses.
The Marine Club isn't only about fun outings; it's also a great way for students to gain valuable unique experiences. Finley emphasized the club's commitment to community service, stating that volunteer hours are in abundance for members.
The club also regularly hosts guest speakers from the marine science field, providing students with networking opportunities and access to internships and volunteer positions.
The club recently hosted a successful fundraiser at Barnes & Noble from Sept. 5-7. Finley was thrilled with the turnout, saying, "We had lots of engagement from members and the public that helped us raise money for our t-shirts and end-of-the-year boat trip."
She explained that these fundraisers are vital for purchasing supplies and planning events as a thank you to the members for their dedication to cleaning up local waterways.
For those interested in joining, the club welcomes new members at any time, regardless of whether they attended the first meeting.
"We welcome anyone who wants to learn about the ocean and help keep our local waterways clean and safe for us and the animals that live there!" Finley stated.