Meet some of our Awesome Summer
Teaching Assistants!
Hi Everyone! My name is Jess and this is going to be my third summer at the Sunset Bay Wharf. I have a B.S. in Marine Science with a minor in Leadership studies from Eckerd College so I love everything about the water! In my free time I also love going into the mountains for some hiking and camping! ! I have loved getting to meet all of our awesome students over the years and see them learn all about our amazing marine life here. I can’t wait for the summer!
Hi everyone! My name is Vanessa, and I am from North Carolina,
and graduated from Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s
in Biology. I love working with kids and the state of Washington so
much that I had to come back for my second summer! My favorite activitiesare the marine invertebrate walk, paddle boarding, and skim boarding. In my free time, you can find me on the beach, painting, hiking, or reading. I love adventure and learning, and I’m so excited to spend another summer with everyone!
Hi everyone, my name is Tasmin and I am 23 years old from the UK. I am looking forward to another fun filled summer here. At home I am a full time student at the University of Lincoln where I am studying International Tourism Management and will graduate in September 2019. During my free time I swim, scuba dive, read and spend time with family and friends. I have a huge passion for traveling, which has led me to study abroad in Japan and complete field trips to Sri Lanka. I also worked at a YMCA camp in California for 2 summers and so it is safe to say I love the USA! Can’t wait to meet everyone this summer!
Hello! I’m Sarah and I will be the media and video coordinator. I’m originally from Pennsylvania but am moving to Seattle from Nashville TN where I spent the last four years studying entertainment and minoring in video production at Belmont University. I’m super excited to spend my summer at the MMA and put my practice to work!
Hi, my name is Victoria! I am 20 years old, and currently a Nursing student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA! Some of my favorite things to do on the water include paddle boarding and kayaking. Other hobbies of mine include reading, spending time in nature, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching TV. I am from the PNW and have spent all my life right by the Puget Sound. As a summer camp veteran, I am excited to spend my summer by the water whilst positively impacting young lives!
Hi my name is Max. I'm currently a student pursuing a career in biology/ecology and I am super passionate about animals and the environment. The Puget Sound has a unique, vibrant ecosystem but it needs our help. I am extremely excited to be a part of the MMA program, sparking and nurturing an interest for wildlife with the younger generation while also learning a lot myself and building my own career. In my free time I love to surf or do other outdoor activities. I also enjoy playing guitar, reading, and drawing. I can't wait to meet everyone and have a blast this summer at the MMA!
Hi everyone, I'm Shayla, I am 20 years old and I'm coming all the way from Victoria, Australia.
I've grown up in a beach town, therefore I love the beach and most sports to do with the water. The sport I train for is called Surf Life Saving and consists of a lot of traveling around Australian beaches. This will be my 2nd year at beach camp and I can't wait for a great summer and meeting everyone!
Hi! My name is Jake and I am a second-year student at UCLA. I am majoring in Marine Biology and am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the summer program here! Some of my hobbies include sports, outdoor activities, and binge watching TV shows. Coming from Hawaii, I have always had an interest in the ocean and I believe the curriculum in this camp gives an awesome opportunity to teach younger generations in a fun and interactive way. I am super excited for the summer and even more excited to meet everyone involved in the program!
Hey guys! My name is Juliet and I just graduated from Eckerd College in Florida with a degree in Biology and Spanish. At Eckerd, I researched the behavioral ecology of the local bottlenose dolphin population and grew to love the marine world. I’m from a small coastal town in Massachusetts where I am always exploring by kayak, sailing, hiking, or running. In addition to marine life, I love eating food, photography, and traveling. I have had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Spain, explore every continent except for Antarctica, and get to know people from all different cultures. This will be my first year at the Sunset Bay Wharf and I can’t wait to explore Washington and meet everyone!
Hello everyone! My name is Hanna and I am from Valley Center, Kansas! I am currently studying American Studies and Sociology at the University of Kansas. When I am not in school I am working with kids at a local daycare, trying new outdoor activities or dancing to some classic rock! I have never been to the ocean so I am very excited to share this experience with the students and staff!
Hey I’m Claudia and I live in Nelson, New Zealand! I have three younger siblings and I have been working at an after school care with children for five years. I love the beach and I am a very social person as I spend most of my time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to meet everybody this summer!
Hi I’m Conrad. I am currently attending the University of Redlands in Southern California. I will be a sophomore in the fall. I am majoring in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in marine ecosystems and a minor in art. I am scuba certified and am using my experience to do research on the coral reefs of Palau. In Palau, I am doing research on the effects of human activity on coral reefs. I have volunteered in my mother’s elementary school classroom since I was a child. I used to accompany her class on field trips to Mukilteo Beach, perhaps that spurred my interest in Marine Science! I am in a program at my college called Big Buddies where we mentor low income students. I love working with kids, having fun, and inspiring curiosity!
Hey, I’m Charlotte from San Diego, California. I’m a true beach bum with a burning passion for the ocean and marine life. I’m currently enrolled in an online degree program as an oceanography major. Doing college online has given me the flexibility to travel and live wherever I want. My freshman year I spent 5 months living on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii. Then last fall I spent 2 months traveling all over the Pacific Northwest in search of finding the best surf spots. I started my trip surfing in Seaside, Oregon and went all the way to La Push, Washington. I’m super fun and adventurous and I can’t wait to have an amazing summer with everyone!”
Hi, my name is Kiara! I will be turning 20 in July and this will be my 9th summer at the Sunset Bay Wharf! My favorite animals are dolphins and cats, and my favorite food is strawberries. I am a student at Western Washington University and will be a sophomore in the fall. I ran varsity cross country, and varsity track and field in High school and served as a captain for both in my senior year. I grew up on the water ¼ mile South of Beach Camp where my dad is the Park Ranger at Meadowdale Park. I know water safety and enjoy teaching these important life skills. I can’t wait to see all my friends and all the fun new staff and kids here for another great summer!
Hey everyone! I’m Emily and I’m originally from Chicago, and will be graduating this Spring with a degree in Environmental Science and Public Health and a minor in Urban Studies. After living in the Midwest my whole life, I’m ready to go out and explore a new part of the country in the Pacific Northwest. I love working with kids and being outdoors! I’m also a farmers market enthusiast, so I’m ready to find some new ones in Seattle!! I cannot wait to teach our students about all the amazing things about the environment and wildlife while having a blast on the beach!
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Hey everyone! My name is Wyatt, and I recently graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Environmental Studies and Business Management. I am from Madeira Beach, Florida and I love to spend time out on the ocean! Some of my favorite things to do out on the water are fishing, snorkeling, and wake boarding. Off the water I enjoy playing sports, going to the gym, and camping. It will be my first time here this summer and I am stoked to be involved with the program!
Hi everyone! I’m Skye, I’m 20 years old and from the U.K. I’m currently studying Biology at the University of Portsmouth, on the south coast. I have such a passion for traveling and I love exploring new places! I am part of my University cheerleading team where we compete across the country and it’s given me the opportunity to coach my own group of children at a local school. I love working with kids, I find it so rewarding seeing them learn from and enjoy activities I’ve been able to lead. My other hobbies include scuba diving, skiing, cycling and of course having fun! I love the ocean so the sunset bay wharf is the perfect place for me! This will be my first time here and I’m so excited for this new adventure!
Hi Everyone! My name is McKenzie and I am 22 years old currently a senior at BYU-Idaho where I am majoring in Environmental Geoscience. I love everything outdoors and spend a lot of time hiking around Idaho and exploring. I grew up in Woodland, WA,which is just next to Vancouver so coming to the MMA will be just like coming home for me! I am very passionate about our earth and am so excited to spend the summer on the beach of the Puget Sound!
Aloha! My name is Evan, I am a recent graduate from the University of Portland where I received my degree in Biology and minored in Environmental Science. Being born and raised in Hawaii I have always been involved in the ocean, be it recreationally in swimming, paddling, and diving, and professionally, in my aspiration as a marine biologist. When I’m not in the water I like to read, cook, and explore nature in other ways. The ocean has always been important to me and I can’t wait to share this excitement in Seattle!
Hey! My name is Anshika, and I just graduated from UC Santa Barbara in California with a degree in Aquatic Biology! I’ve been in love with the ocean since I was a kid, and getting to study it for the past four years has been a dream come true. I love working with kids, and have been doing it since I was in 8th grade. I can’t wait for the summer, it’s SHORE to be a fun time!
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Hello! My name is Brenden and I will be a junior at Western Washington University majoring in Environmental Science. I have lived my whole life close to the ocean and absolutely love it! I’m passionate about sustainability and learning how to better take care of our environment. When I have free time, I love to hike, read, play guitar, and be outdoors. I’m so excited to meet everyone and be here this summer!
Hi! My name is Lexi and I am going to be a senior at Augustana College in Illinois. I am pursuing degrees in Environmental Studies, Geography, and Religion. I love everything about the outdoors, especially going hiking and exploring new places! I also love to travel! I took a course in environmental sustainability in Israel this past winter, and worked for a sustainability office of a hospital in New Zealand this spring! I can't wait to explore a new place and meet new people. I am looking forward to a great summer!
Hey! My name is Alex this will be my third summer at the Sunset Bay Wharf. I will be attending Southwest Minnesota State University to play Football, I'm majoring in Exercise science and minoring in coaching. My hobbies include me either at the beach with friends and family or training for football. My favorite activities are paddle boarding, and exploring wiht the Zodiacs. I'm super excited for another summer and getting to meet all the new students and staff!
Hi! My name is Olivia and I have been going to summer programs here since I was in 7th grade! I am graduating high school and in my future I plan to be a teacher, because working with kids is something I really enjoy. I’m excited to be back this summer and see all the new students and staff!
Hey everyone! My name is Abby and I’m going into my third year of studying microbiology at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. While in school, I contribute to a marine conservation lab where we are studying predation on coral reefs in the Caribbean. In past summers I have worked for a water sports facility in San Diego, which has shown me how amazing it is to work with kids in an outdoor environment and help them enjoy and experience everything the ocean has to offer. In my free time I enjoy biking, car camping, and have recently gotten into diving! As a southern California native, I love anything the water has to offer, and I am extremely excited to meet all of the students and staff this summer!
Hi everyone! My name is Andre, and I'm an attending sophomore at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I'm majoring in Marine Biology with a minor in Fisheries Science. I've been part of the USMC since 2017. Ever since I found out about deep sea biology, I've had such a passion for the ocean and marine life. My parents are from the island of the Philippines, so it'd seem natural to! I love all outdoor activities, even those I've yet to try! I'm in the process of getting my scuba certification, so that'll be a soon hobby of mine. During my free time, I like to play golf, workout, and spend time with my friends and family. I'm so excited to be at the Sunset Bay Wharf this summer and teach the younger generation about all their is in the ocean!
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Hi everyone! My name is Emily and I am a recent University of Washington graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies. Growing up in the PNW has instilled a deep love in caring for our environment and enjoying everything it has to offer! I've always been passionate about the ocean and the marine life so I am very excited to take part in this year's summer program!
Hi! My name is Beck and I graduated from high school in 2017 from University Prep in Seattle. I am studying at North Seattle College with the expectation to transfer to UW to get a degree in engineering. I enjoy ultimate frisbee, skiing, and snorkeling. I have been attending summer programs here for the past ten years and I am now excited to be on staff!
Hi! My name is Chloe and I’m currently a junior studying Environmental Science at Western Washington University in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. I’m especially passionate about marine life and the ocean and I’m so excited to be living and working so close to the water this summer! In addition to spending time by the water I also love to hike, backpack, climb and hang out outside. I’m very excited to share my passion for the outdoors and work to inspire kids to feel the same as I do this summer!
My name is Olivia Rode, and I’m from Overland Park, KS. I will be a senior at Rockhurst University in the fall, where I am majoring in Biology, minoring in Environmental Studies, and am a member of the cross country team. Even though I am from Kansas, I have a life-long love of all things marine! I’m looking forward to the awesome opportunity for adventure this summer!