by Tina Kelly –
Choosing the winner was unanimous – unanimously difficult. The one thing everyone could agree on was that picking a winner for the “Rockin’ Rockfish” award was the toughest decision yet. Each year, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea’s “Rockin’ Rockfish” acknowledges an outstanding Youth Volunteer.
Awarded in April – during Volunteer Appreciation week – this year’s recognition went to Emma. At the time, she had proudly worn her green Oceaneer vest for little more than a year but her history with the Centre went a little farther back. Emma was an annual pass holder, a graduate of our Salish Sea School summer camp and a school field tripper to the Centre. It was a combination of those experiences, along with living in Sidney-by-the-Sea, that inspired her to become an Oceaneer. When asked about her favourite volunteer moments, Emma replied: “when you are talking passionately to a visitor and you see in their eyes that they are absorbing the information and you know you are making them more knowledgeable about our ocean.” Emma acknowledges that volunteering at the Centre has had a positive impact on her mindset when it comes to conservation; her awareness that our environment needs protecting has increased substantially.
Emma’s future is brighter than an anglerfish lure. She’s excited to be starting Parkland’s Marine Academy next month where she’ll add marine technology skills to her growing base of marine science knowledge. Blending both technology and biology is what attracts Emma to her ultimate goal of working for Ocean Networks Canada.
Also vying for the award this year was 13-year-old Liv, who joined the Centre’s volunteer team last year as part of the inaugural Youth Summer Volunteer Program. Liv was drawn in by her interest in marine life and the hands-on approach the program offers. This program combines marine science, field trips and valuable work experience. Her favourite part of being a volunteer is not too different from Emma’s: Liv enjoys learning new things as well as the reactions visitors have when she teaches them something new. The latter – speaking to the public – is a skill Liv feels she has grown the most in and recognizes how it has improved her presentations at school. Managing school and homework means Liv commits to one volunteer shift a week from September to June but come summer, she ups her shifts to three times a week. This time spent volunteering and learning is all part of her journey to become a marine biologist.
With Emma and Liv joining – and leading – the next wave of sea-lovers and marine conservationists, the ocean is in good hands.
The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea’s volunteer program accepts applicants 13 years old and over. To learn more visit www.salishseacentre.org.
