Click on the images to learn more about our 2024-2025 Youth Leadership Cohorts!
My love for the ocean was sparked by five children’s books and a high school textbook I discovered in my elementary school library. Spending time by the bay, witnessing injured animals and the impact of pollution deepened my passion for marine science. As a Stars to Starfish intern and Mote Marine volunteer, I’ve had the privilege of teaching kids about ocean conservation. Now, as the Youth Leadership President, I’m raising awareness while pursuing my dream of becoming a veterinarian to help exotic and aquatic animals in need.
I’m a junior at Sarasota High School and co-president of our Sailor Baywatch Club. This is my second year as a youth leader with Sarasota Bay Watch, and I’m passionate about outdoor activities like camping, scuba diving, sailing, skiing, and sports. Being part of Sarasota Bay Watch is an exciting opportunity to help clean up and restore our community and bays!
I'm a junior at Sarasota High School, co-president of the Sailor Bay Watch Club, and a member of the school’s soccer team. I’m passionate about the outdoors, learning about marine life, and participating in environmental clean-ups. I love animals and aspire to become a veterinarian. This is my second year with Sarasota Bay Watch’s Youth Leadership Program, and I'm thrilled to continue making an impact in our community!
I’m a sophomore at Pine View, and this is my second year in the Leadership Program. I’m proud of the work I do in coastal conservation with birds and insects. As the Jim Neville Bird Monitoring Project coordinator, I measure the impact of our long term restoration efforts. Outside of SBW, I’m a cellist in the Youth Philharmonic, a bird naturalist with Sarasota Audubon, I run the nature club at my school, and I’m on the RC Car Junior Executive Committee at Fab Lab.
I'm a freshman at Pine View School and thrilled to be part of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program this year! My interests include playing soccer, diving into a good book, going on long walks, listening to music, and biking. I’m also passionate about STEM and its potential to positively impact the world. Through this program, I look forward to supporting our environment alongside my fellow Youth Leadership Cohorts!
I’m a junior at Riverview High School, and growing up in Sarasota has given me a deep appreciation for Florida’s natural landscapes, especially its beaches. Spending time on the water from a young age sparked my interest in marine biology. I’m thrilled to be part of the Youth Leadership Program, where I aim to strengthen my leadership skills and make a meaningful impact on our community.
This is my second year with the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership program, and I’m thrilled to see what exciting opportunities this year will bring! Outside of the program, I’m passionate about soccer and Latin and ballroom dancing. I also love traveling and exploring the world’s oceans, as marine life fascinates me. Being outdoors brings me joy, and I’m eager to participate in more cleanups and contribute to keeping our environment healthy and thriving!
I'm a student at Booker High School, and this is my first year with Sarasota Bay Watch. I have a deep love for nature and spend as much time outdoors as possible. My passion for the environment began at a young age and has remained a guiding force in my life. I also volunteer as a bird naturalist with the Sarasota Audubon Society and am an active member of the Manasota Fossil Club and the Florida Young Birder’s Club.
I am a Junior at Riverview High School and I'm in the IB program and am currently in the career path for Marine Science. I am thrilled to be part of this program and can't wait to help our marine environment with the Baywatch crew. Outside of school and the program, I like to spend my time going to the beach, going to church and i love going to the gym.
I’m a freshman at Pine View School and a first-year member of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program. My love for nature began with family hikes and exploring Florida’s unique ecosystems, eventually growing into a passion for environmental protection. Outside of this program, I enjoy playing soccer, performing on the violin, volunteering in my community, and exploring the medical field. I’m excited to contribute to Sarasota Bay Watch and help make a positive impact on our local waterways.
This is my first year with the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program, and I’m excited to be part of such an inspiring initiative. I’m currently in the Marine Biology career path at Riverview High School, where I’ve been able to explore my passion for the ocean and environmental science. I love spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and being around wildlife. I’m looking forward to making a difference through cleanups and contributing however I can to protect and preserve our environment.
I’m a rising senior at Riverview High School and part of the Marine Science Pathway through Stars to Starfish. I’m proud to be involved in Sarasota County’s incredible marine community and excited to be a member of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program. Growing up fishing and hunting, I’ve been surrounded by marine and wildlife species my whole life. Taking part in cleanups and helping restore our ecosystems has been an inspiring and rewarding experience.
I’m a rising senior at Riverview High School, part of the IB Marine Science, a Stars to Starfish intern, and an officer in the Marine Club. Growing up in Florida has given me a deep appreciation for its unique wildlife and natural habitats—from the Keys to Lake Okeechobee and the state’s many springs. After attending a cleanup at Jim Neville, I was inspired to get more involved. I enjoy going to the gym, youth group, and playing/watching sports with friends.
My love for the outdoors began in childhood, growing up hunting, fishing, camping, and exploring nature. These experiences sparked my passion for environmental protection and marine life. I enjoy playing football, wrestling, weightlifting, fishing, and giving back to my community. Through this program, I’m excited to help protect our environment and take advantage of the opportunities it brings.