Alumni Spotlight, Staff Spotlight

Abby Gordon S’14 Returns as a Communications Intern

Looking back on my time as an Island School student, the question everyone asked was “will it be hard to leave this place and go back home?”  Although I met some of the most interesting people, grew immensely as an individual and became part of such a powerful community, I wasn’t sad to leave. I never understood why that was until I came back two years later.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

I’ve learned that once you’ve been part of the Island School in one capacity or another, it never leaves you. The elements of this place have a subtle way of weaving into your life in everything you do. Inside I knew I’d always be back and two years later I am back as part of my gap year!

Processed with VSCOcam with b5 preset

For the first four months of my gap year (August-December) I am working at the Island School as a communications intern.  Working along with the communications team, I take photos of students and the various CEI research teams, as well as make videos to promote the goals of the School. I’m gaining incredible experience from this position and it’s fantastic being part of this community once again. Everyday I’m energized by the work I do and the people I’m around, which is sometimes a rare thing to find in a job.

Following my departure from the Island School in December, I am heading to Kauai, Hawaii for two weeks to travel and pursue photography opportunities. I am hoping the two weeks can be extended depending on what opportunities emerge.

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

In early February I travel to Oxford, England to begin my internship with the Children’s Radio Foundation, which promotes radio programming by and for youth in many different African countries.  I will spend 3 months with the Foundation and I will be photographing local projects and working as a member of their communications team.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Once summer comes, I’ll be doing some solo backpacking around the UK for a few weeks before heading to Western Europe to backpack various countries from Norway to Greece. Come fall 2016 my adventures will head to the United States where I will be attending Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Undecided on my major, I’m keeping it broad and looking into anthropology, photography and journalism.

IMG_8774-2 (1)

Needing a break from traditional schooling, I am fortunate to have time to work on my own growth within the greater world. I’m taking a gap year because I believe in the power of travel, the value of interacting with humans outside of one’s bubble, and the importance of supporting a community that is making the world better.  I know that for myself to grow as a person, I need to delve deeper into new places and experiences. Every day is a happy adventure and I truly have found my passion back here!

Island School, Student Update

3-day Kayak by Jack Megrue

If you were at boat house cut on August 31st at around noon, you would have seen thirteen eager students holding paddles up towards the sky – the sign that we were all ready to depart on our three day kayak trip.20931316518_8d47c485ab_k

When we first set off, we were traveling at a speedy pace, with Helen Roosevelt leading the diamond shaped pod, Justin Box and Katie Koch acting as the sides and I was holding up the rear. Eventually, Catherine Klem and Ian Overton, our leaders for the three days, gave us the signal that we would stop for lunch. When we pulled up for lunch near the lemon shark pen that was about three miles down the coast from the Island School, everyone was tired, but we all helped set up the lunch tarp and lay out our food. Then we took our PB&Js into the clear blue ocean that was the perfect temperature for lunch in the water.

We soon set off again and after passing two or three mangrove-ridden islands, we arrived at our campsite. We all got out of our kayaks and handed out jobs. With speed and elegance, we brought the kayaks up on the shore, unloaded the group gear, and flipped the kayaks for safe keeping through the night. After all of the group gear, food, and kayaks were taken care of, we then moved on to setting our hammocks that we would sleep in for the night.
Later, we all helped gather firewood for our fire that would be used for cooking our meal of rice, beans, and vegetables. As a treat, we were surprised with marshmallows that we roasted over the fire and cooked to a golden brown.

That night, everyone brushed their teeth and attached their dry bags to trees in case a sudden Bahamian storm rolled in. Then we all zipped up our bug nets to our hammocks under the light of the full moon, and we fell asleep.

On day two of our kayak trip, we headed out to the blue hole. Once we finished the two and a half mile trip down the coast, we pulled into a little bay and attached our kayaks to the nearby mangroves. Then, we all helped in setting up lunch of tortillas, peanut butter, and jelly were all laid out on the tarp and we all feasted awaiting the upcoming blue hole snorkel.jack's picture
We put on our snorkeling gear and out to the blue hole. We were all in pairs of twos (the buddy system) and swimming eagerly to the site. When I approached, I saw the white sand with some seaweed on the bottom, Cam Reisinger and Owen Ryerson were on either side of me, and then I saw the blue hole. Suddenly the sand dropped off into a black abyss. The blue hole was covered in coral and filled with fish of all different shapes and colors. We dove down and looked around to see more coral that had fish nibbling on the ends of it. Everyone was stunned at the amazing blue hole and all of the life that was around it.

After we snorkeled in and around the blue hole for twenty or thirty minutes, we went back to our boats and kayaked back to our campsite.

The next and last day of our trip, everyone was sad to be packing up their hammocks because, even though it was only two nights, everyone had an amazing time and we were all sad that we had to leave. After we had breakfast and packed the kayaks, we were on our way. We paddled past the shark pen to a new lunch spot, about half way between our previous campsite and the Island School. We all ate the PB&Js as we had the previous two lunches, and we played a game in the little bay where our boats were beached. After thirty minutes or so, we left for The Island School.21036547186_6f904dee04_k

Once we arrived, we were all tired and a bit sad that we were at the end of such and incredible trip. We put our boats away and gave everyone high fives for having finished and for such an incredible trip. Now, we are all excited about going on our eight-day trip with new people and creating new memories.

Alumni

Maxeys and Peter Scholle (S’07) in San Diego

20150823_115121Chris and Pam Maxey were out in San Diego reuniting with friends as Chris celebrated his 30 year reunion since graduation from Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUDS) training with class 134. Peter Scholle, Island School Spring 2007 alumnus, recently graduated from Harvard and was selected out of an incredibly competitive process to gain a place in BUDS training.  Peter, with shaved head starts with BUD/S class 315, next week.  We send him strength as he takes on this challenge!

 

Uncategorized

Island School Teacher Conference 2015

Would your teachers at home thrive at The Island School? We tested the idea again for the 18th time this summer when a group of 24 teachers came together at Cape Eleuthera to live the life of an Island School student. It was a week of extremes – first scuba dive, jumping off of high rock, run-swims, as well as practicing and discussing experiential education and project-based learning techniques. 

“I faced some fears, which I ask students to do all the time. I networked almost around the clock, gleaning information from Island School colleagues. I stayed healthy in mind body, and spirit. I discussed pedagogy with a variety of teachers from different backgrounds” said Holly Houston, a veteran art teacher from Yarmouth Maine.
“The first morning of our conference we met in bathing su
its and snorkeled a shipwreck. I saw starfish, lobster, a stingray, got some morning exercise, and learned about the ecology of the area- even before introducing myself to the group” said a 4th year teacher at Berkshire School, who attended with a colleague. 
There were 3 school systems that sent 2 teachers: The Hill Sc
hool in Pottstown, PA, Trinity College School in Ontario, Canada, Father Ryan School in Nashville, TN, and 3 teachers from the wider Grand Rapids public schools. Many of them came as a result of Island School parents promoting the opportunity. 
Just like for every group of visitors, our Cape Eleuthera Institute researchers, staff, administrators, and Island School leadership got involved in all kinds of ways. In particular, participants lauded the

contributions of Island School alumni back on campus sharing their expertise. Stan Burnside, Fall ’07 provided comic relief in between natural history, George Giannos, Fall ’10 played the role of Dad, Alexio Brown, Fall ’07 led the exploration of inland ponds, Mackey Violich, Spring ’06 showed off her deep ocean bathynomis research, and Taylor Hoffman also Spring ’06, as Director of Admissions, helped teachers see the student perspective.  

Cape Eleuthera Institute, Island School, News, Uncategorized

Anderson Cabot Family Leadership Gift takes Sharing Solutions Campaign to the Crest of the Wave

Ed Anderson and Linda Cabot with Chris Maxey at the Anderson Cabot Hall dedication ceremony.
Ed Anderson and Linda Cabot with Chris Maxey at the Anderson Cabot Hall dedication ceremony.

Ed Anderson and Linda Cabot step up to the top of our giving pyramid with a $2 MM total pledge. In addition to helping us build the new Anderson Cabot Graduate Hall, the new leadership pledge allows us to focus on our campaign promise to Share Solutions. The commitment will help us leverage over $1 MM toward our endowment and $350 k toward developing a communications journey that will enable the school to share best practices with a wider community. In addition, funds have been allotted to collaborate with From the Bow Seat and help build awareness around the serious global challenge of plastic pollution in our oceans. Lastly, there is an effort to develop a film that can help call attention to the successful model and power of experiential and collaborative learning. In the gift letter Linda sums up their desired outcomes,

“Ed and I believe in the Island School mission and the transformational power of experiential learning. At the Island School students tackle real world sustainability issues, conduct independent research, engage in collaborative learning and challenge their personal best. These powerful experiences develop meaningful skills that will help students thrive in the real world and protect our natural environment. This is why we are proud to make a gift that will help sustain the curriculum and enable the school to inspire and share best practices with learning communities around the globe. We hope our actions inspire others to give generously as we believe that community efforts yield the largest and most positive effects”.

Grad_Hall-6
Linda Cabot cuts the ribbon and welcomes everyone to Anderson Cabot Hall.

Ed and Linda’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment in our history as we look down the last year of our five-year campaign. With their gift we are approaching $17 MM and feel confident to be able to announce now that our new campaign goal is $20 MM. Mary Kate Barnes, Island School parent, Board Vice Chairman and Chair of our campaign shares, “It is amazing to witness a young school embark on a bold first campaign effort with the potential to stride so far past goal. Much of this effort is designed to build an endowment and strategic sustainable fiscal plan that looks out generations. I am also proud of the young development team, Mary Assini Sp 00 and Cameron Powel Fall ’04, both alumni living the mission of The Island School — Leadership Effecting Change.” The Cape Eleuthera Foundation Board thanks Ed and Linda for believing in us and helping The Island School strive towards a new level of sharing.

Both Ed and Linda are proud to say that their daughters Georgianna Sp ’11 and Noelle Sp ’13 both graduated as Class Caciques and to this day lean back on The Island School experience as the most transformative time on their journey through school.

Uncategorized

Summer Term: See You All Soon!

Howdy everyone,

Wyatt playing with a new friend Scarlet lighting up the night As we near parents weekend, life at The Island School continues to be jam-packed. This morning, students ran for 40 minutes as they prepared for the monster run swim- only four days away! Students gave it their all, and everyone finished the run with cheers as they slapped the flag pole. The students have been hard at work, whether it means working on the farm to make compost, going on scuba dives to observe ecosystems or conducting interviews at Spanish Wells.

The final Sustainable System class enjoyed a short film on Cuba’s path to recovery after losing its energy sources in the 1990′s. After gaining some insightful knowledge from the documentary, the class walked over to the Floating Gazebo to discuss what would happen if the United States faced a similar energy-loss crisis. The discussion was both intriguing and thought provoking, allowing the students to tap into ideas they never thought they’d have. Afterwards, the class visited the school farm and even fed the pigs with one of the Dining Hall buckets! While munching on delicious coco-plums and tamarinds, the students and teachers began another amazing conversation about compost and its importance, both on campus and to the world.

The Marine Ecology class spent the morning in class. Students laughed as they pretended to be their assigned fish and went “speed dating” to meet other fish and marine life. They spent the rest of the morning learning about invertebrates. After lunch, they put their newfound knowledge to the test underwater. As they approached the diving site [Tunnel Rock], the excitement rose. Stepping into the ocean, diving pairs and trios began studying their respective coral reefs. Students examined their reef for information about invertebrates and the impact these creatures have in their habitat. The diversity of the reefs showed the students the importance of a balanced ecosystem.

As the last days of The Island School approach, students are filled with a bittersweet feeling of leaving their second home. With tomorrow being the last day of academics, students are cherishing what little time they have left. They wait anxiously for the return of their Tourism and Development classmates and teachers to return, making our campus full again. Additionally, everyone on campus cannot wait to see the parents! Emotions are running high as the summer term days come to an end.

See you all soon!

Your caciques,

Christine and Grace Halvey

 

Alumni, Alumni Spotlight

IS Alumni Back on the Cape this Summer

We want to welcome back all of The Island School alumni who have returned to Cape Eleuthera and giving back this summer!

DSC_0967

 

Griffin Hunt & Tori Suslovitch, Fall 2011
Griffin Hunt & Tori Suslovitch, Fall 2011

This summer, Griffin Hunt (F’11) is working as a Summer Term Alumni Mentor at The Island School. He is co–leading the Tourism and Development unit, a course which explores the history of Eleuthera and the underlying socio–economic factors that have impacted its development through two–night down–island trips and participation in relevant CEI research. Specifically, students will be exposed to political philosophy, ethnography, and tourism practices, along with two conservation–oriented field days with CEI researchers. In college, Griffin is pursuing a double major in Public Policy & Law and Philosophy. In addition to teaching the T&D unit, Griffin serves as an advisor to a group of students and an EMT and is co–head of the Boys Dorm. This is Griffin’s third summer at The Island School and he is psyched to spend the term with a remarkable faculty team and 50 passionate students.  

Summer Term alumni Maggie Winchester (Su'11) and Kristin Treat (Su'10)
Summer Term alumni Maggie Winchester (Su’11) and Kristin Treat (Su’10)

Kristin Treat (Su’10) is going to be a senior majoring in Marine Biology at Florida Institute of Technology. She is a shark conservation and research intern this summer at CEI. She is so excited to learn and get field experience during my time here.  Kristin loves traveling, scuba diving, and trying new things. Maggie Winchester (Su’11) is a shark intern from Vermont. She studied abroad in Morocco, and in the spring Maggie will be graduating from the University of New England. She is really excited to be back in Eleuthera and be working with sharks again. Christian Daniell (F’10) is back as an intern with the Shark Research and Conservation program at CEI. He mostly lives in the UK, and I is currently going into his fourth year at Connecticut College. This is Christian’s third time on the island, his first being in 2010 as a student, then in 2012 as an intern. Christian is looking forward to getting out there and tagging some fish and help out in any way he can. Chase Goldston (Su’13) is interning with the Flats team this summer. He is going into his sophomore year at Colby College. Chase is from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He is a big Cleveland sports fan and loves dogs and being outdoors. Emilie Geissinger (S’08) is  a summer intern with the Flats Ecology Team.  She graduated from Bates College in 2014.  This past year she taught high school Biology at the Noble and Greenough School. She is very excited to be back in Eleuthera and participating in the awesome research going on here! Emilie plays  water polo with a team in Boston and participates in sprint triathlons for fun. Anna Jenkins (S’12) is in her third year at UC Berkeley and grew up in San Francisco. Anna is back at IS working with the Reef Ecology and Conservation research team and am very passionate about conservation regarding marine life and energy.  Anna’s hobbies include soccer, dance, and generally being outdoors. James Boyce (F’12) is back on Eleuthera and working as an intern in the Boathouse. He spent the first part of the summer on the 5 Gyres sailing expedition from Bermuda to the east coast of the US and is psyched to be back and helping out. Dana Biddle (S’13) is very excited to be back this summer. During her semester, she worked with Jocelyn on the lionfish and lobster research project. She is back working for Jocelyn on the Sustainable Fisheries team. Dana will be a sophomore at the University of Miami next year and is studying Marine Science. Dana Colihan (S’12) is a Reef Ecology and Conservation Research Intern this summer.  She was born and raised in New York City although Dana is currently attending Oberlin College in Ohio. She is an Environmental Studies major and a rising junior. Dana like bagels, fixing/riding bikes, and works at a Living Machine at Oberlin. She is super excited to be be back and to be doing work on sustainable fisheries this summer! 

A big crew of Fall 2010 alumni!
A big crew of Fall 2010 alumni!

Aly Boyce (F’10) is working with the Sea Turtle team for the summer. She is originally from Abaco- just one island north of Eleuthera! Currently, she is a rising senior at UC Berkeley double majoring in Political Science and Environmental Science. She is looking forward to getting to spend time with old friends and getting to meet many more! She also hopes to be able to explore Eleuthera and freedive as much as possible. Brandon Gell (F’10) is currently a rising senior at Middlebury College in Vermont. This summer he is working at CSD working on creating a the framework for a sustainable design competition to be held at The Island School. Brandon is psyched to be back here and is looking forward to catching up with old friends and making many new ones.

Fall 2012 alumni James Boyce and Ryan Schendel
Fall 2012 alumni James Boyce and Ryan Schendel

 Ryan Schendel (F’12) is working as a general systems intern at CSD. He is studying Sustainable Environmental Design at UC Berkeley. His project this summer is to connect the water cisterns underneath CSD with the pipe system throughout Island School Campus and CEI. Tamara Pletzer (S’12) is the aquaponics intern this summer. She is a second year at University of Edinburgh and is studying economics and math but originally hails from Colorado. Tamara loves scuba diving, swimming, among other activities and is looking forward to learning more about the aquaponics system as well as how to create the beds, grow tilapia and try growing different plants in the system! Whit Powel (S’09) is back for her third summer  teaching, advising, and shaping the young minds of Summer Term students.  This summer, she will be teaching the Sustainable Systems unit, advising, co-heading the Girls Dorm, and fulfilling the role of Dean of Students.  Her hometown is Shaker Heights, Ohio and she graduated this spring from Denison University. Catharine Pirie (F’10) will be returning for her second summer working as a Tourism and Development teacher, advisor, and co-head of Girls Dorm for the Summer Term students. She is from Hamilton, Massachusetts and is currently a senior at Hobart and William Smith colleges. Catharine is so excited for yet another amazing and exciting summer here! Tori Suslovitch (F’11) is a rising Senior at the University of Tampa where she studies Biology with minors in Chemistry and Education. This is her first time back on Eleuthera since her semester and she is excited to help teach Marine Ecology for the Summer Term. Meaghan Kachadoorian (F’10) is from Connecticut and goes to school in North Carolina. She is really happy to be back and teaching Summer Term for the Tourism & Development and Sustainable Systems units. Katie Gougelet (S’08) is from Hanover, New Hampshire and a recent alumna of Dartmouth College. This is her first summer back to Eleuthera since Spring ’08 and she is excited to be here helping to teach and and get involved with all aspects of the students’ summer experience. Max Maloberti (S’10) is a Biology major and Junior at Dickinson College, PA. He is back teaching the Marine Ecology unit.  Ever since his semester, he has been wanting to come back so he is really excited for this summer.  Liam Macartney (F’13) is back and excited to be working with the Educational Programs team. George Giannos (F’10) is back for his 5th time since his semester working in CSD and helping oversee all of the interns at CEI and CSD this summer. Meagan Gary (F’07) is a Masters student at Florida Atlantic University and this summer/fall she will be comparing the home range and habitat use of different sized immature green turtles at CEI. After graduating from Colorado College where she majored in Biology, Meagan returned to CEI and was the sea turtle research assistant. Mike Cortina (F’02) has been working at CSD for 1.5 years as a Sustainability Teacher. Stanley Burnside (F’07) is a lead educator with CEI’s Educational Programs.

Uncategorized

Summer Term: Back After A Day Off

Good Morning from Eleuthera,

Students watching the sun go down on their Down Island Trip After a relaxing day-off we were so pumped to start off the day with another amazing run-swim! But before we began we took a moment to marvel at the magnificent sunrise. It’s crazy how we are so used to getting up with the sun. One of the morning’s surprises was a beached Lemon Shark- we are so excited to learn more about this creature in Marine Eco. While doing curls with rocks, Liz told us the reason why the Lemon Shark gets its name- the sides have a yellow appearance, making it a shark the color of a lemon. Our Monster 10k run-swim is coming up soon and we are so ready!

Today also marks the first day of our final academic rotation. It’s so crazy how fast the time is flying by! The Queen Triggers started our first day of Sustainable Systems. Today we learned about how we make biodiesel here at The Island School. This renewable resource powers all cars on campus! We get vegetable oil from cruise lines and we are able to convert it into fuel.

In Tourism and Development the Blue Tangs split up in to research groups. One group worked on pond research. Despite getting lost a few times, the group had so much fun duck diving in the pond. We were able to swim with shrimp that may be a new species! The other group began their studies early this morning with bonefish research. In the afternoon, the group assisted with Lionfish research. This invasive species has come to the Bahamas from the Indo-Pacific. We then were able to assist the researchers by cutting off the poisonous spikes and then filleting the Lionfish, which can be eaten by humans.

Finally, the Sargent Majors had our first day of Marine Ecology. We began by learning about the power of careful observation. We put this into practice by using all five senses to discover an area in the mangroves. This later would come into play when we went out for our dives at Tunnel Rock this afternoon. Each buddy pair was assigned a coral reef ecosystem that they will focus on and become intimate with for the next week. We were in awe of the abundance of life. We took underwater notes on a slate, which would then be transferred into our placebook.

We are so excited to keep learning and stretching. We can’t wait for the days ahead!

Your Caciques,

Lucy and Doug