Rachael is a dedicated student and performer from New York state, where she is working towards a Public Relations degree with a Biology minor at SUNY Fredonia. Her love for animals and the ocean is reflected in her position as host of “Science and the Environment” for SUNY’s TV program, The Raphy Report. Rachael has performed in numerous plays and musicals and is currently a member of Fredonia’s show choir. She remains involved in multiple clubs while maintaining high honors, with active membership in both Golden Key International Honors Society and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Having taught swim lessons and been a lifeguard for 4 years, Rachael has learned to effectively educate others and share her love for the water. She hopes to use her experience to advocate for the environment and persuade others to protect the world’s fragile ecosystems.

 

 

 

 

Clark is a college student from Blacksburg, Virginia and is currently studying Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Tech. He is passionate about helping animals and educating others about the natural world. He’s made several of his own nature films featuring hikes through the deserts of Utah and visits to the Topsail Island turtle hospital, all stressing the importance of conservation. Clark is a “hands-on” naturalist, having held baby bear cubs, played tug of war with a mountain lion, hugged a wolf, and swum with dolphins. He hopes to one day become a producer of wildlife documentaries where he can use his writing and filmmaking skills to protect wild animals and their environments.

Katie is an energetic high school freshman from the Connecticut shore. While maintaining high honors, she is still able to incorporate karate, field hockey, dance and debate team into her busy schedule. During her free time, she loves traveling with her family to beautiful beaches and snorkeling with exotic marine life. Kate's dedication to preserving wildlife and their habitats is a family tradition. Her late grandfather was instrumental in working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect loggerhead and leatherback turtles. He made their protection not only his career but a personal mission.

 

 

Drew lives in Maryland and loves exploring nature while learning about plants, animals and the world’s delicate eco-systems. His school activities include high school jazz band, It’s Academic and water polo. Drew’s favorite subject is geography and he plans to one day travel the world. He’s already been to Europe where he spent days trekking through Italy. Drew is also active in Scouts and his favorite activities include camping, swimming and archery. He has formed a band called All Rights Reserved which has performed at numerous venues. Drew loves hanging out on the beach with his dog Casey and hopes to one day be a rock star.

 

 

Karena is an outgoing high school student from Washington D.C. whose favorite subjects are Chemistry and Physical Education. She’s also a first-rate athlete who not only participates in track and field, but has also won numerous awards for her prowess on the basketball court. Karena also enjoys singing, acting, dancing and modeling, as well as baking cakes and trying out new foods. She’s dedicated to her family and always has a big smile for everyone. Karena looks forward to using her talents and enthusiasm to help inspire people around the world to keep the planet green and blue.
 

Isabelle is an exceptional student from Edenton, North Carolina, where she is Founder and President of the Live Green Recycling / Environmental Awareness Club at her school, Vice President of the Student Government, and a member of Key Club. She grew up on the water, loves animals and spends most of her time playing soccer and tennis, hanging out with friends, and listening to music. Isabelle loves traveling with her family and hopes to one day become a Broadcast Journalist. 

Honorary Aqua Kid
Mariah is an honor student from Virginia with an adventurous spirit. She formed her own Nature Club when she was only five years old and has since organized numerous fundraising projects for the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Florida Manatees, and other endangered animals. In addition to playing tennis and hurtling down zip lines (the higher the better), Mariah also stays busy with playing the piano, violin and cello, as well as singing and performing in musical theater. She has traveled extensively with her family to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Switzerland, Israel and (her favorite) the Galapagos Islands.

George is a true hands-on producer, whose talent for creating award-winning television is second only to his inexhaustible enthusiasm for documenting the extraordinary beauty of the undersea world. Not satisfied with the traditional role of producer, George has honed his skills as an underwater cameraman and certified SCUBA instructor in order to share his love for marine life with others, and to educate them as to their endangered existence and the importance of preserving their fragile environments. In addition to the multiple Emmy and Telly award-winning Aqua Kids, George has produced numerous nationally and locally distributed television programs. His work has also appeared on NBC, ABC, CNN, The Discovery Channel, the History Channel, Animal Planet, the Nashville Network and various national affiliate television stations.

Dr. Juli Goldstein is a Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University and is also the Staff Veterinarian and Medical Manager at the renowned Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Through the Institute’s Marine Mammal program, Dr. Juli cares for sick and injured marine mammals, studies heart diseases found in whales, and studies the health of local dolphin populations. When not rescuing stranded marine life, Dr. Juli travels the world lecturing about human and animal health, and was Ms. Florida for 2009!

Steve McCulloch, Science Advisor
Stephen McCulloch has more than thirty-years experience working within the marine mammal industry and research community. In 1997, Steve founded the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program at the renowned Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and has worked to create a world-class, multi-disciplinary research environment.  Steve’s life mission is to ‘Protect Wild Dolphins and Whales’; Steve has received international recognition from his peers in areas of research and technologies innovations, and also serves a number of organizations involved in environmental responsibility, education, art and science. Through such leadership and entrepreneurial efforts, Harbor Branch and Florida Atlantic University have gained recognition for the high quality and content of several innovative marine mammal research and conservation programs that benefit others from around the world.