This year, junior co-presidents Kirstyn Limsico and Kaily Alvarez introduced Ocean Club to CHS. The two share a passion for improving the declining state of the ocean and want to open the student body to their movement for change.
Every other Wednesday at lunch, Ocean Club meets in room 2003. The club offers an educational, yet enjoyable environment for students who show passion for marine life.
“I think it is a space for everyone that likes the ocean to just come and have fun and learn new facts about it,” Alvarez said.
The club provides activities to engage the students in the overall topic of ocean conservation. These include games such as bingo and short quizzes, along with volunteer opportunities like beach cleanups that can also earn students hours.
“The goal for Ocean Club is to help students learn more about ocean conservation and sustainability,” Limsico said.
Considering CHS’s close proximity to the ocean, Limsico believes that students should be more aware about negative human impact on it, especially local beaches. Both Limsico and Alvarez aspire to use the club as a way to inspire students to reverse these detriments that humans have had on the environment.
“I know that a lot of people like the beach here because we live in Carlsbad and close to it,” Limsico said. “So I wanted to start something that many people would [appreciate].”
The club meetings always begin with a fun fact about the ocean or sea creature presented by the co-presidents. Limsico emphasizes how these simple activities can help the members learn new aspects about marine life and connect the members through their newfound understanding.
“I want to help teach people and learn more about it myself,” Limsico said.
While the purpose of the club is meant to educate and provide services for the ocean, it also helps to cultivate friendships through similar passions. Many subjects based within the club can inspire career pathways, allowing members to support one another through shared journey’s..
“My co-president Kirstyn, it’s her dream to be a marine biologist,” Alvarez said. “And she’s my best friend, so it’s nice helping her to achieve that.”
College Prep Marine Science, taught by Madison Heyser, is a class offered by CHS that educates students on sea creatures and what humans can do to help conserve their species. Junior Alessia Mattucci, a member of the Ocean Club, feels that what she has learned about ocean conservation and marine life within the club has even sparked her interest in educational pathways that explore these subjects.
“Seeing all the life in the ocean is so interesting,” Mattucci said. “[The club] has made me more and more interested in taking the class next year.”
Like many members of the club, Mattucci’s passion for the ocean urges her to help preserve local beaches and participate in clean ups. She highlights the urgent need for students to come together to protect our oceans for future generations.
“I love the ocean because it’s such a big part of my life,” Mattucci said. “It is our job to make sure we don’t leave it worse than we found it.”
Made to inform students about ocean conservation and sustainability, the Ocean Club is working to unify students over these topics and their issues. For future meetings, Alvarez and Limsico even plan to bring in professionals with more experience with ocean conservation and can pass their knowledge to students within the club.
“I think it is nice to see everyone participate in something that we all share a common interest in and just being able to support the ocean in any way we can,” Alvarez said.
