Marie was in the 8th Grade at Eastchester Middle School in Westchester County, New York when she received this award. She learned to dive in the cold murky waters of Rockaway Beach, New York, at age 12. Since then she went on to attain her Advanced Open Water certification on the wrecks of Carlisle Bay in Barbados. Marie is the third generation of divers in her family and has had many snorkeling experiences. She has been in a shark cage off Oahu viewing sandbar and Galapagos sharks, she petted manatees in Crystal River, Florida, and dove with green turtles in Costa Rica. A highlight was assisting in a turtle hatchling rescue on the beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida. Marie plans to continue to develop her diving skills, learn underwater photography, and hopefully pursue a career in marine biology.