We invite you to join us in celebrating our five outstanding 2026 National Ocean Scholars. These exceptional students have each been awarded a scholarship to support their first year in college as they pursue the next phase of their education and prepare for future careers in the ocean and environmental sciences.
- Cassidy Cadden of Slidell, LA (Hurricane Bowl) attending the University of Southern Mississippi
- Ethan Li of McLean, VA (Chesapeake Bay Bowl) attending Pitzer College
- Isaiah Sit of San Jose, CA (Sea Lion Bowl) attending the University of California, Berkeley
- Nikolai Storrs of Eagle River, AK (Tsunami Bowl) attending the University of Alaska Southeast
- Angelina Yan of Irvine, CA (Los Angeles Surf and Virtual Sponge Bowls) attending the University of California, Berkeley
As these students embark on their university educations, we send them our best wishes for their success. We are confident that their curiosity and initiative will guide them through their academic pursuits and into promising professional roles within the ocean scientific community.
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB), a program under the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Center for Ocean Leadership, has been acknowledging student excellence since 2003. Each year, the program grants scholarships to as many as five students dedicated to pursuing undergraduate degrees in ocean science, environmental science, or a related science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline. Thanks to donations from our dedicated NOSB community members and our regional partner, Lori Tsuruda at People Making A Difference, we proudly recognized these five exceptional young scholars in 2026 as they transition into their university studies and begin building their future careers.
Meet the Scholars
Cassidy Cadden
A graduate of Northshore High School (Slidell, LA), Cassidy spearheaded his school’s participation in the NOSB by founding an ocean science club that sent a team to compete in the Hurricane Bowl. Beyond competition, he led the club in community-focused environmental initiatives, including beach cleanups where students utilized the Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell App to categorize and track debris. Cassidy and his peers eventually synthesized four years of this collection data into a scientific poster, “Be the Change: Ocean Plastic Reduction Efforts by the Northshore High School Ocean Science Club,” which was selected for presentation at the 2025 American Geophysical Union Fall meeting. Under his leadership, the club also championed campus sustainability by installing new recycling bins. Reflecting on these efforts, Cassidy noted that the club served as a vehicle for the change they wished to see in their community. Cassidy is now heading to the University of Southern Mississippi to major in oceanography and ocean mapping. Aiming for a career in hydrography, he is eager to begin coursework in subjects such as Ocean Physics, 3-D Positioning, and Remote Sensing.
Ethan Li
Ethan Li represented Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria, VA) at the Chesapeake Bay Bowl for three years. His interest in oceanography and marine biology was sparked by a family trip to Alaska, which transformed a casual interest in fishing into a dedicated hobby and continued pursuit. Ethan described this passion for fishing as “the perfect bridge between science and reality”. His involvement with the NOSB motivated him to expand his horizons by working on fishing charters, learning to scuba dive, and joining a marine research initiative at the University of California, San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Ethan’s application highlighted his overflowing passion for the marine environment, as well as his resilience and leadership, with his ability to guide his team through difficult competitive scenarios toward successful outcomes. Ethan is set to attend Pitzer College, where he will major in Environmental Analysis.
Isaiah Sit
During his four years at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, CA, Isaiah was a dedicated competitor in the Sea Lion Bowl. He viewed his NOSB experience as a journey encompassing education, leadership (serving as team captain in 2025), and the creation of an “enduring, supportive community” rooted in a competitive spirit, mutual trust, and a shared love for the ocean. Beyond competition, Isaiah demonstrated a commitment to field research by volunteering with the Greater Farallones Association’s Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students (LiMPETS) during his first two years of high school, where he gathered ecological data from tide pools at local beaches. His academic curiosity extended to learning Japanese and competing in the Japanese Bowl. His application highlighted his “rare qualities,” specifically his talent for managing diverse teams and integrating multidisciplinary skills across different areas of study. Isaiah is heading to the University of California, Berkeley, to pursue a degree in Earth and Planetary Science. He plans to specialize in Marine Science, focusing on subjects such as Biological Oceanography, Biogeochemistry, and Control of Water-Related Pathogens.
Nikolai Storrs
Hailing from Eagle River, AK, Nikolai participated in the Tsunami Bowl for three years as a member of the Eagle River High School team. He credits the NOSB with helping shape his future aspirations, but emphasizes that the experience provided much more than a fast-paced quiz-bowl competition. To Nikolai, the NOSB represents a synthesis of community, science, friendship, and teamwork. Reflecting on his time with the team, Nikolai shared, “I don’t remember the questions I got wrong, and I surely don’t remember the scores at the end of the day, but I remember the laughs shared between teammates”. Nikolai’s application revealed a dedicated, well-rounded student and a quiet leader committed to creating tangible positive change within their local community. He showed a deep enthusiasm for ocean sciences, specifically fisheries, alongside a strong focus on community outreach and the preservation of traditional Native knowledge. Looking ahead, Nikolai will attend the University of Alaska Southeast to major in Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. His ultimate goal is to become the kind of professional mentor who once inspired him, dedicating time to foster and support the next generation of scientists.
Angelina Yan
Angelina, from Irvine, CA, competed for four years at the Los Angeles Surf Bowl and Virtual Sponge Bowl with her team from University High School. Angelina noted that her fondest NOSB memories center on collaborating with her team during practices, research sessions, and resource-sharing. As a captain her last two years on the team, she created an NOSB scrimmage league and expanded this concept to other activities like the National Science Bowl and Science Olympiad, forging lasting friendships beyond her own high school. Hosting these team practices and multi-school scrimmages helped her hone essential organizational skills and learn how to effectively guide a group toward shared goals. Angelina’s submission was full of character, using engaging storytelling to highlight her unique personality, deep commitment to ocean and environmental sciences, and remarkable maturity and self-awareness as an empathetic leader. Her work communicating scientific concepts to local aquarium visitors highlighted her desire and ability to foster deep connections within her local community. Angelina is heading to the University of California, Berkeley, to study Environmental Science. Her experiences with the NOSB fundamentally shaped her future, providing her with a clear purpose for college and beyond. She notes that addressing large-scale issues like global environmental change will demand the exact leadership, organizational, and teamwork skills she developed through her NOSB participation.
Learn More
Apply: Visit our Scholarships page for information about the criteria and application package.
Support: If you are interested in supporting the National Ocean Scholar Program and helping future ocean scientists, please consider donating to the scholarship fund (please contact the National Office for more details or visit our Donations page).
