Since 2003, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a program of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, has recognized and rewarded student achievement by providing scholarships to up to five students per year who plan to pursue degrees in ocean science or a related science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. With the help of dedicated and caring individuals, we were able to reward five talented young scholars in 2017 as they begin the next phase of their education and start working towards their future careers.

2017 Recipients:

Kathleen Gonzalez, captain of her team from Clallam Bay High School in Washington, competed at the Orca Bowl. She devoted hours of time preparing her team for their first ever NOSB competition in 2017 while also taking college courses to supplement her high school work. Additionally, she was president of her school’s Environmental Club and spent time on community volunteer projects such as beach cleanups and invasive species’ removals. Participating in the NOSB resulted in a new-found interest in ocean science and a desire to pursue an oceanography degree. She will attend the University of Washington, Bothell campus, and major in oceanography. As Kathleen learns more through her college education, she hopes to educate others on the importance of the ocean, opening their eyes to a new interest or career choice.

Sarah Kwartler competed at the Salmon Bowl for two years as a member of the Lake Oswego High School team in Oregon. Her school designed an independent study oceanography class to train students for the NOSB. Sarah studied, assembled a team, tracked their practice performances, and helped lead her team to 4th place their first year competing – all before she ever took an oceanography class. During an internship with the Oregon Saturday’s Academy Apprenticeships in Science, she worked on two research projects related to environmental electrochemistry, earning praise from her Ph.D. mentors for her hard work, initiative, detailed presentation, and ability to field difficult questions. At Duke University, where she’ll major in marine biology and marine science conservation leadership, she hopes to study the ocean’s role in advancing new medical discoveries.

Alex Miller competed for three years with his Washington state Garfield High School team at the Orca Bowl. During his senior year, he served as the team co-captain, successfully writing a grant to acquire a set of competition buzzer systems for team practices. Alex has a scientific curiosity and passion for ocean technology and building remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). He also competed in the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV competition, where he was willing to share what he learned by volunteering to assist younger middle school aged competitors. The techniques he’s learned with MATE, plus his knowledge of marine policy from his NOSB participation, has inspired Alex to focus on creating the next generation of ocean sensors to assist in the management and regulation of marine and coastal resources. He will major in ocean engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sofya Pesternikova competed at California’s Seal Lion Bowl with her team from Campolindo High School for three years. After her introduction to NOSB and marine biology, she interned with the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, learning about Northern California beach biodiversity. Sofya participated in the Acalanes Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) program, which allows students to work beyond the classroom, including field work, research, and project development. During that program, she came forward as a leader always willing to assist others – something she also showed as her team’s captain. Sofya combined her love of the ocean with her SCUBA skills to create a film on sea otter conservation for the International Ocean Film Festival, winning the high school category. While attending Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she hopes to become an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) scientific diver to benefit her future research.

John “Jack” Urquhart competed with his Michigan Greenhills School team for four years at the Great Lakes Bowl. Jack’s curiosity, love of problem solving, and concern for others is exhibited through his willingness to assist others with completing scientific tasks, such as aiding a group of younger students working on a hydroponic project or founding the Gardening Club to ensure the school’s greenhouse was utilized. References noted he is “simply mesmerized by the natural world” and exhibits behavior all teachers hope to
develop in their students. Jack, who maintains five large freshwater tanks at home, hopes to pursue aquaculture or aquaponics while attending the University of Miami to major in marine biology, as well as to put his SCUBA certification to use.