Archive for September, 2010

Sean Duffy

We have our 2nd Turtle Champion! His name is Sean Duffy and he organized a beach trip for students from Waples Mill Elementary School. Mr. Duffy is a teacher in Fairfax, Virginia who loves marine science. For the past 8 years, he has invited students to participate in marine science adventures at the North Carolina coast. He organizes the whole trip for the kids and gets them in contact with people who inspire them and others. They are really fortunate to have such a great teacher like him. I am also very fortunate that he contacted me so that I could go with them on the trip!

Mr. Duffy has 2 kids of his own. His son, when he was younger, went on the trips, too, and was very inspired. Now, he’s studying to be a  marine biologist and wants to save all the turtles out there! His daughter, who happens to be my age, goes on these trips, too. Waples Mill Elementary is lucky to have Mr. Duffy, a dedicated educator inspiring kids to learn and take care of the ocean. He made it SO much fun while we were learning! Thank you, Mr. Duffy. You are a true Turtle Champion!!

A boy from Pittsburgh, PA, Adam Parrish, helps raise money for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. He got started in the summer of 2006 when he and his family went to the hospital and he saw the donation bucket; they donated $20. He thought he should donate more than just twenty dollars, so he started collecting money. He raises money from collecting loose change and doing chores. He also raises money by performing at events by using his unique talent. He is a 3-time North American unicycling champion. He can also juggle. I don’t know anybody who can do all of that! His favorite part about raising money for the Sea Turtle Hospital is that he is helping the turtles out; he wants to be a vet someday, so this is a great start for him! So far, Adam has raised over $200 for the hospital!! What’s even cooler is that he is doing all this on his own without help from his friends. Think about raising that much money all on your own without help. Adam’s favorite animals are turtles and birds, and his favorite type of turtle is the Loggerhead. He’s also very upset about the recent oil spill in the Gulf and believes that nothing should be run on oil or gas; everything should be solar power.

During the summer while I was doing my Junior Internship at the STH, Adam visited and I got to meet him.

Way to go, Adam! Keep up the amazing work!