For the fourth year, BayCoast Bank has contributed $8,000 to the Westport River Watershed Alliance to support the organization's summer internship program.WRWA hires students from local colleges to assist with its education and water quality monitoring programs.  BayCoast Bank's investment allows WRWA to bring two interns aboard for the summer. This year we were lucky enough to find two highly qualified students from UMass Dartmouth: Joy Smith and Jerelle Jesse.

Joy, who is preparing for her senior year, studies biology with a focus in marine science. She grew up in New Bedford, attending Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School where she studied early childhood education. Joy found that she had a larger passion for the sciences and specifically wanted to study marine life. Last summer, Joy interned for the School for Marine Science and Technology where she researched fisheries management, but also served as a tour guide for the Trips for Kids organization which allowed her to share her knowledge of fish and invertebrates with children. Being able to work with the Westport River Watershed Alliance allows her to utilize not only her skills with teaching, but expand her knowledge of habitats outside of the water. Joy is eager to educate children about wildlife and also hopes that they will develop an understanding of the importance of nature and how beneficial it is to us.

Jerelle is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a bachelor's degree in marine biology. From a young age, she has had an interest in the ocean and environment. She specifically remembers catching fish in elementary school to keep as class pets, and nature walks with her father. Jerelle has studied abroad with the Sea Education Association, sailing across the Pacific Ocean and studying the marine environment. She has also conducted research with the invasive Asian shore crab and local mud crabs while enrolled at UMass Dartmouth. She loves invertebrates of all kinds, especially jellyfish! Jerelle lives in Marion with her family and enjoys reading at the beach and cookouts in the summer. She is excited to educate younger generations about the importance of science and the environment. Jerelle is very grateful for the position at the WRWA and she hopes to make a career of environmental protection and stewardship in the future.

BayCoast Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Christ said, "The internships offered by the WRWA give students a unique opportunity to forge connections between their academics and the real world. It's an invaluable experience that merges hands-on learning with career exploration. We are proud to once again support the WRWA and its educational programs." WRWA Education Director Shelli Costa thanked BayCoast for its generous contribution and commented, "We couldn't do all of the great educational programs and water monitoring without the hard work of our interns each summer."