Christina's thoughts so far...

WOW!! Where do I start!? The Aquarium is a FANTASTIC place. I love it here so much. Becoming an intern at the Aquarium is a life changing experience for me. Everyday I go home my mom asks me how my day was and I always have different stories to tell her.

I love everything we do here from the cart programs to the touch tank to the animal programs and more. At first I was nervous, but as time goes by I am getting the hang of things.

Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy are always checking on us to make sure we are comfortable with things and they do their best to answer all of our questions. They are the best! Everyone at the Aquarium is so friendly and I like it because I haven't met a single person here with a negative attitude and that's what makes me want to be here even more. I love the Aquarium staff and I love being a part of it.

I still have many more things to learn and I look forward to spending the rest of my summer here!

- Christina Green

Tiffany's thoughts so far...

Everyday I have at least one person come up and ask me how a high school student gets an internship at the Aquarium. When I explain to them about the High School Intern Program they are amazed at how good of an experience it is for us.

Starting out I was very scared and nervous and didn't know what to expect, but as I began working I learned so much and still learn new things everyday. Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy as well as the rest of the education staff have been the best teachers ever! They have introduced me to so many things that I never imagined. I thought I would never pick up a snake, alligator or turtle.

The best thing about working here is knowing that each day I come, I'm going to learn something new or do something new. I never get bored here! I have met so many great people.

To my fellow interns...I Love Ya and this is just the start of our summer!

- Tiffany Denmark

Aurielle's thoughts so far...

My first 2 1/2 weeks at the Aquarium was awesome! I have done so many things I never thought I would do. Holding snakes and alligators as well as feeding birds never crossed my mind.

In the Aquarium people tell me that I have the best job ever and I agree! The Aquarium is both educational and exciting. From the cart programs and the touch tank, everything is interesting.

The girls that I work with are awesome. All of them are great in a different way:

Christina is funny with a great personality and a big heart.

Tiffany, oh Tiffany! She's silly and funny.

Ashley is laid back and very nice.

Stacey is crazy!

Courtneay knows what to say in every situation.

Chelsea is quiet with a nice personality.

Clarissa is laid back but silly.

Desiree is so nice.

Mai knows how to make people laugh.

Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy gove me motivation everyday to do my best.

What I'm trying to say is that the Aquarium offers you something new everytime you go there. You can get more knowledge, souveniors and most of all friendships.

To the interns - Have a great rest of the summer in the Aquarium. Love ya!

- Aurielle Hollington

Ashley's thoughts so far...

People ask me if my job is the coolest job in the world and I always say, yes! I have random people come up to me all the time and say that I am so lucky to have this job. It seems like the best job for an adventurous person, and it really is.

This internship is something I thought I would never get into. I was so scared when I got my letter from the Aquarium to see if I had made it. When I found out I did I was literally jumping around for 15 minutes. I would have to say this internship is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Yesterday I took the alligator out on the floor for the first time. I was so scared when I had to get him out, but once I had him I was ok. The hardest part is when he squirmed around and I was afraid of dropping him. When I handle an animal I am not afraid of the animal, I am afraid I will hurt it!

I am glad I made the choice to join the Aquarium's Intern Program. It feels like another home to me. The people there are so sweet and so kind and I love my co-interns. I am so glad all of us get along so well! We never knew each other before this, but it seems like we were meant to work together. I am so excited to see where this journey will take me and hope it will be the beginning of many more exciting adventures.

- Ashley Mantilla

Chelsea's thoughts so far...

So far my experience as a high school intern has been amazing! I've made new friends and also explored the different regions that South Carolina has to offer. I have gained the courage to handle animals I never thought I would ever come in contact with.


Today I learned how to handle a young American Alligator. It wasn't a bad experience at all. At first the thought of it had me horrified, but when I actually came in contact with it I realized that it wasn't a mean animal after all. Since learning to handle the American Alligator, I am excited about learning to handle Rosie, the Colombian Red-tailed Boa (~6.5 ft.).
This experience has not only given me courage, but also determination to overcome my fears. I am looking forward to continuing the wonderful experience of being an intern!

-Chelsea Hagan

Stacey's thoughts so far...

So far as a High School Intern I've done all sorts of cool and fun jobs. The touch tank is one of my favorite jobs to do at the Aquarium. It is very hands-on and I love hearing all the stories visitors have to share with me and the other interns.

Yesterday I did something I thought I would never do...I picked up an alligator! I was scared at first, but now I'm ready to get one and take it out for visitors to see! I also got to feed the barn owls, bald eagle and saltmarsh birds for the first time.

All of the high school interns this year are girls and it's nice that we all get along even though we are all different. Some of us are more crazy and talkative while others are more shy...but when it comes to this job I think it's safe to say we all love it!

-Stacey Brown

Trip to Camp St. Christopher

Before the interns started their internship we took them to Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island for a team building day. The 10 interns represent 4 local high schools so this was our opportunity to let them get to know each other before the summer internship began. Here's a couple pictures from our day...we sure had fun!!

This past Monday was an exciting day! The 6 interns that were working got a chance to meet Philippe Cousteau. Philippe is the grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. He and his sister Alexandra were the 2009 winners of the South Carolina Aquarium's Legacy Award for his conservation efforts to restore and protect our oceans.

Here we are with Philippe and his new SC specialty license plate "Protect Wild Dolphins". In the picture is me (Jaime), Courtneay, Desiree, Mai, Philippe, Aurielle, Clarissa, and Chlesea.

The interns have been here a little over a week now and are doing a great job! They are jumping right in to the summer and learning their way around the Aquarium. So far they are working in the touch tank, exhibit guiding, setting up education cart programs and handling animals for visitors to touch. Right now they say their favorite part of the day is the animal handling and touch tank. We'll see what it is next week!

Welcome 2009 summer interns!

We would like to welcome the following new interns for summer '09!:

Courtneay Brown

Stacey Brown

Tiffany Denmark

Christina Green

Chelsea Hagan

Aurielle Hollington

Desiree Jenkins

Clarissa LeSueur

Ashley Mantilla

Mai-Trinh Pham

Look for them on your next Aquarium Visit!