Week 11:
Saying Goodbye

August 25, 2016

My last week in Orlando came and went far too quickly. Even after almost three months here, I found myself not ready to leave. Every moment of this week’s camp seemed much more special and enhanced, because I knew it was the last time I might experience it.

For this last week of camp, I was placed with kindergarten/1st grade for the first time all summer. They were absolutely precious, and I quickly fell in love with a little boy named Riley. Riley and I bonded on Monday morning when I pretended to be a mother penguin feeding her baby penguin (aka, ‘throwing up’ into a peeping Riley’s mouth). He thought it was hilarious, and every day onward he would bounce up to me in the mornings asking, “Which baby animal are we going to pretend to be today?!

Teaching kids this young was a whole new challenge. All summer, I thought that I wouldn’t be good with little kids were I to be placed with them. But in fact, as soon as I started working with them, I realized I loved it. They were so small but still knew a lot, and seeing the wonder in their eyes as they see a 6,000 lb animal for the first time is something you just can’t understand until you see.

This week was also really special because my teaching team was amazing. Krissi, Carrissa, and Michelle all made this week so much fun. There was never a dull moment! We all worked really well together, and since it was the last week, everyone (finally) knew exactly what they were doing. I’m going to be so sad to leave this incredible team. Not just my teaching team from this week, but everyone from SeaWorld. There’s just a sense of family around here, even with employees you don’t know.

This summer, I’ve learned so much more than I could’ve imagined about marine mammals, the animal care and conservation field, and most of all, myself. I feel so lucky to have had this enriching experience and met all of these incredible people that will surely be valuable contacts for years to come. I’m so thankful to Cornell Fellows for giving me this opportunity that I’ve dreamed of my entire life. San Diego to Orlando, 9 to 19, the dream’s stayed the same. Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way, and everyone who’s made this summer one I’ll never forget. Sea you on the flip side! <3