I miss the girls

I just finished reading all of the intern's last blogs of the summer and it really made me miss having them all here. We had a great summer and the time flew by so fast!


I hope they are all having a wonderful first week back to school and can't wait to see them when they come to volunteer.


Thought I'd give you some of the information from the summer:

• 10 high school girls
• From 4 different high schools (Garrett Academy, Fort Dorchester HS, Wando HS, Academic Magnet)
• 8 week internship
• They worked a total of 1532 hours (WOW!!)
• This represents 306 total work shifts

What those statistics don't tell you is the huge hearts these ladies have. They worked hard learning all the information I threw at them to be good interns and they stretched their limits when it came to overcoming some of their fears. They added so much to our Aquarium, from their youthfulness to the extra hands on the floor and in the touch tank. These ladies were a fantastic group and I miss having their smiling faces in the building.


They are a wonderful group of young ladies and I hope that they will remember the experiences they've had here this summer (especially "Fred"). It was a great pleasure to supervise this group!


- Jaime Coomes

Courtneay's end of the summer

Well, its my final blog guys, hopefully you have been keeping up with me :) As I said before this was a FANTASTIC experience! I met a lot of new people and made great new friends.


I love Ashley, Mai and Stacey. I love the rest of the interns too, but I see them all the time at school. All the interns are awesome! I know all 10 of us are going to keep in touch.


Here is my lists of favorites:
Instructors - Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy
Favorite Intern - All
Favorite Animal - Inky (kingsnake)
Favorite Place - Volunteer lounge (comfy couches)
Favorite Job - Animal programs


- Courtneay Brown

Aurielle's end of the summer

I am so sad that this summer is over :( That means school is about to start and my summer job is over. Never in a million years I would I have thought I would hold snakes and alligators!


This experience has taught me to be more open and to not always be shy when it comes to people. I do plan to volunteer, but will miss working 4 days a week. I will miss my fellow interns especially. We were one big family!


I will also miss Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy. They taught me a lot about myself and I thank them for everything. Going in to college in the fall of 2010, I am now planning to major in biology and maybe one day I might be apart of the Aquarium staff.


Until then, Thanks for everything! To the 2010 interns, this is a once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy it!


- Aurielle Hollington

Chelsea's end of the summer

I can't believe that this wonderful experience as a high school intern is coming to an end. I really had a lot of fun this summer. I have made lots of new friends and most of all, have learned a lot that will benefit me in the future.


I've overcome fears that I would never thought in a million years I would accomplish. I can't believe that someone like me who was scared to touch a bug would be able to hold a 6.5 foot Columbian red-tailed boa.


I am really going to miss working at the Aquarium four times a week, but I do look forward to volunteering on the weekends. I am very thankful that I was blessed with this opportunity, and I'm ready to put all the knowledge I've gained to good use :)


- Chelsea Hagan

Clarissa's end of the summer

I can not say enough how much I am going to miss this job here at the Aquarium. I love the environment around here. It's just so jolly and great! What I think I'm going to miss the most is the greatest bunch of interns ever!


Of course I'll miss the animals too. Handling them is great! I didn't think I would ever be someone who would hold snakes or alligators, never-the-less a 15 pound boa! Come to think of it, I just love animals even more now. My time here has been well spent. It might be time to say "see you later", but never "goodbye". I will be coming back to volunteer with my fellow interns.


My advice to any rising juniors is to aim high and apply for this internship. There are some times when it seems hard, but if you work hard you will do just fine. You will meet many new people and learn lots of cool things. I really wish I could do it all over again. I will still be here even when I'm not. I going to miss seeing Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy too. They are the best :)


P.S. We need another chance to teach Desiree how to swim!


- Clarissa LeSueur

Ashley's end of the summer

I can't believe it's my last week! It seems like only yesterday I was putting in my application to be an intern. I guess it's true that doing something you love can be gone and done before you know it. Good thing I didn't waste any time!


I love learning about the Aquarium and the animals. It has pointed me in the right direction of which career to go for. It's so hard to believe that I only have 3 days left. I'm glad I'm going to volunteer though, because I love it here.


The people here have made me a more open person. I love the fact that I have changed. I must say this, being my first job I am spoiled. I don't know that a part time job working in retail will be the same as this. My favorite part of this whole internship is the people and getting to hold the animals and touch a penguin! There is just one word to describe my experience and that word is...AMAZING!! I would cry because I'm leaving, but I know this is only the beginning of something more amazing.


My worst time here (it was hard to find one) was when I was trying to get a survey and this lady told me she was P.O.'d (she said the real words) because her daughter (30 years old, I might add) decided she didn't want to be here and she was mad that the Aquarium wouldn't give her her money back. I literally almost cried, but I just looked at her and said, "I am sorry", then she walked away and I was so sad that someone could be so grumpy when I felt so wonderful. I felt bad because she looked like she was having a bad day, so I tried to make it better, but she was having nothing to do with it. That was the one and only bad time I've had at the Aquarium.


I'm going to miss all my newly made friends and hope to spend time with them in the future. I am going to miss everything about the internship and the Aquarium, but most of all my Aquarium family!


- Ashley Mantilla

Mai's end of the summer

Hey! It's me again. As you know, the high school internship program is coming to an end. The girls and I have had a great time and are sad that it's all about to end.


We've learned a lot together and bonded very well. Looking back at all the things we've done together has brought us closer.


We have made bird diets, done cart programs for sharks, reptiles, sea turtles and birds, helped with the touch tank and trading post, and learned how to handle snakes, alligators, turtles, tortoises and owls. We've worn costumes, funny hats and even face paint to attract visitors and have fun while exhibit guiding. We also went on the "camping" trip where we ended up sleeping at the Aquarium and playing sardines.


There are so many memorable things to write about and only so much blog space so I'll leave this with, "It was Fun! We learned a lot! I'll be back to volunteer soon!"


- Mai Pham

Christina's end of the summer

I can't believe we're coming to the end! I love it at the Aquarium so much and I don't want to leave. I'm going to miss everyone, especially the Education staff. Being a part of the Aquarium has really made me open up because when you see the other employees, they are always happy and smiling and it makes you want to do the same.


I've also learned so much working here. Before I came here I would have NEVER imagined myself holding a 6.5 foot snake around my neck or a baby alligator. This internship taught me how to make food and feed birds and clean exhibits. I don't think you could ever get this kind of experience from any other job. It's so much fun and an awesome learning experience at the same time!


- Christina Green

Tiffany's end of the summer

Well the journey is over and my last week has come. It all went by so fast and I wish it could have laster longer. This internship has been a life changing experience for me. I have done so many new things. I've lost my fear of snakes and alligators and love owls and turtles. I think my favorite animals were the kingsnake, Inky and the boa, Rosie. They are so sweet!


Working at the Aquarium allows you to see the animals in a different way. Working here has taught me that you can't always be afraid your whole life, you have to try new things. Being here has also helped me come out of my shell a little bit. I was already friends with the other interns that go to Garrett, but I met new friends from other high schools. I really hope we don't loose touch because I never would have made it through the summer without these girls.


This summer has changed me in so many ways it's hard to leave it behind. I have worked so hard to be here and really, really don't want to say goodbye. Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy are the sweetest people you could ever meet. They took these 10 girls and gave us something we will never forget. They gave me a chance to face my fears and try new things. They also taught us a lot, not just about the animals, but how the real world is going to be and how to get ready for it. So...thank you so much Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy. I will never forget this summer! Also, thanks to the rest of the staff and volunteers for being so kind to me!


- Tiffany Denmark

Desiree's end of the summer

I had an awesome summer this year. My summer was full of wonderful and unexpected experiences. It's sad to see our internship come to an end. I'm really going to miss the animals, especially the alligator, even though he constantly hisses at me and tinkles on me. I think that one of the things I enjoyed the most about the internship was the new girls I met. I loved the fact that we all got along so well.


Something I learned was that I never knew a costume could get so hot. Wearing the shark costume was like taking a shower in 200 degree water.


I would never have attempted to do some of the stuff I did at the Aquarium this summer without this opportunity. I guess the saying "Never knock something until you try it!" is true. I was the type of person who let my fears get to me, but I'm sure glad I had the opportunity to intern at the Aquarium and get past some of my fears.


To all you rising Juniors...this is a wonderful program and you should apply, even if you don't want this to be your major.


Thanks a WHOLE BUNCH Ms. Jaime and Ms. Kathy!


- Desiree Jenkins

Stacey's end of the summer

This summer has been awesome!! I've made tons of friends and we've had our fun and crazy moments. The whole summer seemed like a big party! I've had fun with the animals even though I've been peed on, pooped on and hissed at! Rosie and Monty have been my favorite animals. I also loved the birds and feeding the penguins.


To everyone, I'm going to miss you all so so much! I love y'all!


- Stacey Brown

Dancing Penguin and Intern!

Clarissa, Aurielle and Ashley got an amazing video clip of Penguin 101 dancing. We have never seen the penguins interact quite like this before in our exhibit. So cool!! I'm really glad the penguins like the interns as much as the interns like them!

Our penguin exhibit, Penguin Planet, opened this past March and features 4 Magellanic Penguins. You have to watch this video...it's priceless!!

Come see them! Maybe they'll dance with you :)

-Jaime

Are you a "Fred"?

One of the key parts of the high school intern's job is to provide great customer service to our visitors.

In order to help the interns get a grasp on great customer service I gave them the book called "The Fred Factor", by Mark Sanborn to read. It's a great book that inspires all to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary everyday at your job and in your personal life.

I asked the interns to keep a journal while reading the book and here are some of the things they had to say:

"Why would anyone want to be a Fred?"

Aurielle - Be a Fred to treat others like you want to be treated. Be the best that you can be!

Chelsea - Doing the right thing does eventually pay off in life and people should want to be a Fred because it gives them a positive attitude.

Desiree - Nobody wants to be insignificant. Eveyone wants to count. You will feel good about yourself when you enjoy the things around you like Fred. The possibilities are endless!

Tiffany - If one person started acting like a Fred, the next person would do the same. Then our world would be better to live it.

Christina - If you are a Fred you can inspire other people!

"What did you learn while reading chapter 4 (Everyone Makes a Difference)?"

Courtneay - I should have a goal everyday to put a smile on millions of faces!

Mai - That making a difference shouldn't be a job, it's something you can do anytime for anyone!

Stacey - You can change a person's day with a smile!

Clarissa - I learned that no matter what good you do, it all helps and it will make you happier in life.

Ashley - Everything you do has an effect on your life as well as the people around you!

I hope this inspires you all to read this book and learn about becoming a Fred. It might just change your whole life (or at least your outlook on life)!

-Jaime

Clarissa's sleepover fun!

My day was going just great up until I got to the Aquarium and heard we had bad news. They told us that there was some bad weather over the island and that we couldn't go camping. I was a little upset until they said we were still going to the beach and we were going to sleepover at the Aquarium. I didn't want to believe it, but by the looks on their faces I knew they were serious. We sucked it up and had a great time at the beach!

The waves were so strong it kept knocking everyone down. We didn't let that stop us from having fun. Once we got back to the Aquarium we all ate and talked. Ms. jaime had a great idea and we all decided to play a game.

The game was like hide-and-seek, but a little different. I never knew that 13 people could actually fit into such small places :) I really enjoyed the game, but I have to say that Ms. Kathy's spot was the best and also the funniest. I thought we were never going to get out of that spot! Even with the hints, some people still didn't catch on. Once, I looked next to me and it wasn't even one of the interns, it was Weatherly. She had just gotten back from an Aquarium Outreach Program and joined the game. She didn't even know what we were doing :) After 2 hours of playing everyone got tired of running around the Aquarium so we decided to rest.

Everyone tried to fall asleep, but I did a good job off keeping them up. We watched movies and ate junk food all night. That was my favorite part. Late at night we started hearing things and we got scared. Even the toilet flushed for no reason and that's when I ran to my sleeping bag! I was scared and so was everyone else. We laid down and went to sleep.

When I woke up I was FREEZING! I really didn't want to get up, but it was time to go. I got up and went straight to eating. I really enjoyed the night at the Aquarium and wouldn't mind doing it again anytime.

Maybe another time we'll get to Botany Island!

-Clarissa LeSueur

Stacey's sleepover fun!

As you've read from my fellow interns, our trip was rained out :( All was well because we got to go to Folly Beach and sleep in the Aquarium.

At Folly we learned about sea turtles! I learned a lot even though I've walked with sea turtle teams before. Then we went and pulled a seine net through the water and caught some little Ladyfish and a Spot or Crooker. We collected shells and crab molts and went swimming. That's when I wished I wasn't such a good swimmer so one of those cute lifeguards would come save me :) Ashley and I tried to teach Desiree and Clarissa how to float! Fun!

When we got back to the Aquarium, we played sardines (The Most Amazing Game Ever!) for about 2 hours and then made bracelets and necklaces. A bunch of us stayed up really late scaring ourselves before going to bed at about 3 am and waking up way too early.

It was a blast!!

-Stacey Brown

Christina's sleepover fun!

I really wanted to go to Botany Island, but we got rained out and that was ok too. Instead we decided to go to Folly Beach and sleep at the Aquarium. I had so much fun!

At the beach, I really learned a lot from Meg about sea turtles. When we went into the water it was great! I got hit so many times by the waves and it was so funny beacuse I'm the shortest intern so I was trying to jump over these huge waves...fun!

When we got back to the Aquarium we ate hotdogs and chips, then played this game call sardines (the Best Game EVER!). When the person who is the sardine hides, the rest of us had to find her and hide with her until the last person gets there. I was last so many times! Once it started to get dark outside so did the Aquarium, especially the Mountains. I was scared to go in there.

Ms. Kathy, boy Ms. Kathy, her hiding spot took the longest to find. I felt like trying to find a needle in a hay stack! I was so happy when I finally found her, I almost tripped going down the steps try to get to her!

After the games we watched movies and had smores, which were delicious. My night was AWESOME! I really enjoyed it :)

-Christina Green

Aurielle's sleepover fun!

I was looking forward to going camping, but bad weather kept us from going. However, we had so much fun camping at the Aquarium!

First, we went to Folly Beach to learn about sea turtles and take a dip in the ocean. The waves took me under 5 times, but I still had fun. After that we came back to the Aquarium for dinner (hotdogs and chips, YUMMY!). After our stomachs were full we played sardines. It was the best game ever and we played for over 2 hours!

At the end of the night we calmed down and watched Twlight and The Goonies. Tiffany and Clarissa made smores and Ashley helped us make bracelets and necklaces. We didn't fall asleep until 3am and woke up at 7:30 (yuck). Over all everything was so much fun and I wish we could do it again!!

-Aurielle Hollington

Desiree's sleepover fun!

I was looking forward to going to Botany Island, but it was cancelled due to unexpected weather. We didn't get to do everything the camping way, but we did have lots of fun. We got to enjoy each others company!

Folly Beach was fantastic. We tried to catch stuff in a net and my fellow interns tried to teach me to swim. They were unsuccessful, but it was fun :)

I enjoyed the facts about sea turtles and really liked Ashley teaching us how to do something she loves to do (bracelet making). Despite not going to Botany, it showed us that unwanted circumstances can turn into an awesome time!

-Desiree Jenkins

Tiffany's sleepover fun!

Well, our adventure wasn't as much of an adventure because of a storm over the island, but it all turned around because we still got to go to the beach.

We went to Folly Beach where we got to learn about sea turtles from a naturalist, Meg. She showed us what a sea turtle nest would look like and how to locate the eggs. Then we pulled a seine net through the water and caught little baby fish. We also picked up a few shells and crab molts along the way.

Next, we went swimming. It was the first time I went that far out in the ocean and put my head under the water. It was so much fun! Then, we came back to the Aquarium and ate hotdogs and chips. We hung out and played sardines, which is a game there one person hides while everyone else goes and looks for that person. Really fun!

After that, Clarissa and I made smores for everyone and then watched Twilight, my favorite movies and made cool bracelets that Ashley showed us how to make. The whole day was a lot of fun even though we didn't go to Botany. The Best Beach Trip Ever!!!

- Tiffany Denmark

Ashley's sleepover fun!

I was so excited for our trip! Not only was it my birthday, but I was going to spend it doing something I love!

When I heard we weren't going to the island I was a little sad, but at least we still got to go to the beach and sleepover at the Aquarium. I had a blast and I learned new stuff about turtles and new stuff about my co-workers.

The beach was so much fun. We got to learn about shells, run through the waves and teach a friend to swim. Later that night we got to play sardines, which lasted forever, but it was so fun. We had one of the college interns, Weatherly, join us and it was really fun having her there. I noticed even if we add more people to our group we are accepting no matter who it is. I love the fact that we can add more people to our group and we all click so well.

After the game, I tought some of the interns how to make bracelets and necklaces out of pop tops and hemp string. I loved the sleepover and it was a great birthday. I'm glad I spent it with people I love. I hope we can do it again!

-Ashley Mantilla

Courtneay's sleepover fun!

The sleepover at the Aquarium was AWESOME! We had so much fun. We went to the beach and I surfed in the waves :) I got hit by about 30 waves and I could never ride them.

Then we got back to the Aquarium and ate hotdogs. Next, we played sardines. Hide and seek has never been so much fun! I hid in the mens restroom and it was hilarious because no one could find me for 10 minutes!!! We really did look like a can of sardines in that stall.

We watched Twilight with the fishes and it was so sweet. After that, I had a really good sleep. You should all come next time :)

-Courtneay Brown

Mai's sleepover fun!

Hey again! Since the last blog the other interns and I had the chance to bond some more. Ms. Jaime and Kathy planned a unique and exciting overnight camping trip to Botany Island. The plan got shattered by a storm, but the outcome was just as fun.

We went to Folly Beach and learned how to find sea turtle nests with probs, caught fish with a seine and taught Desiree to swim. I learned how to float on my back only to have a giant wave engulf me. Everyone laughed, but then helped me until I could do it on my own.

When we went to the Aquarium, dry from the sea and sand, we had a feast of hotdogs, chips and more. With our bellies full, Jaime and Kathy proposed that we play sardines (A reverse hide and seek game where the sardine hides and everyone tries to find her. When you find the sardine, you hide with her and the last person to find the group becomes the sardine). With so many nooks and crannies in the Aquarium it proved to be a difficult and fun search.

Post sardines, we set up our sleeping bags, watched Twilight and learned how to make soda tab bracelets and hemp necklaces from Ashley who was patient and stayed up for hours to help us. Clarissa, Ashley, Stacey, Chelsea and myself stayed up way past everyone else spooking ourselves with zombie stories and alien abductions. A perfect way to conclude our exciting day!

-Mai Pham

Chelsea's sleepover fun!

Even though our trip to Botany Island was cancelled due to weather we still had a great time. Instead we went to Folly Beach and had a sleepover at the Aquarium. I really enjoyed myself and was glad that all the interns were able to attend.

At Folly I couldn't stop laughing at how I reacted to the sand dunes, but it was even more funny watching Aurielle because she fell down and started cracking up. It was an awesome experience because we found all different kinds of seashells and even brought some back to the Aquarium's Trading Post.

When we left the beach and went to the Aquarium we enjoyed the rest of the night playing sardines, watching movies, making jewelry and eating smores. My favorite part was playing sardines because it was my first time and the Aquarium is so big to hide in.

I wish we could do it all over again :)

-Chelsea Hagan

Sleepover at the Aquarium

Every year we like to take the interns on an end of the summer field trip. This year I decided to set up an overnight camping trip on Botany Island with Meg Hoyle and the "Learning Through Loggerheads" program. The trip was all set for July 20th. The interns were ready, our tents were packed and of course we had lots of sunscreen and bug spray. Then, the rain decided to throw a huge wrench in our plans and we were unable to go :(

It was ok...It wasn't raining in Charleston so we decided to venture to Folly Beach and learn about Loggerhead sea turtles, pull a seine through the water to see what we could catch and then head back to the Aquarium for hotdogs and a sleepover. The rain didn't get in our way of an exciting day and night!!

We played in the waves, caught 3 fish, found some shells to trade in the Aquarium's trading post then had the best time playing sardines in the Aquarium before watching movies in the lower ocean gallery with fish all around us.

This is a great group of young ladies and a fun bunch to work with. Come back to the blog in a few days to see more pictures from our adventure!!

-Jaime