On Monday, June 29, the Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) will be opening its “online doors” to eight weeks of programming that’s overflowing with summer fun and adventure! For weeks, the BSSC Sea and Science Instructors have been hard at work creating an exciting virtual summertime program for youth near and far. BSSC is thrilled to share with you who’s onboard this summer.

Gray Ferris, a founding staff member of the Boothbay Sea and Science Center, is this summer’s BSSC waterfront director. A Virginia native, Ferris has been spending summers in Boothbay Harbor for as long as he can remember. In 2013 he began working with the BSSC and has been thrilled that his schedule has allowed him to return nearly every summer since. When not out on the water, Ferris plays the French horn with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra and will begin working this fall as a grade 7/ 8 Resource Room teacher at the Boothbay Region Elementary School.

Anna Sirois returns for her fifth summer as a BSSC sailing instructor. Anna is currently completing an honors in human rights with a minor in sociology at St. Thomas University (STU) in New Brunswick, Canada. She intends to pursue a career in law following her undergraduate degree.  She is excited to return to BSSC for the summer, and she is looking forward to seeing returning students, meeting new ones, and sailing on the river.

Adam Sirois will be entering his senior year this fall at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Maine. He started as a “camper” in BSSC’s inaugural program in 2013. Adam loves spending his spare time sailing, playing baseball, and camping. Going into this summer season, Adam looks forward to once again playing a part in BSSC ongoing growth and giving every student the best virtual experience possible on and off the water.

Alesha Gregoire is a rising senior at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) studying marine biology and small vessel operations. While at MMA, she has earned her open water SCUBA diving certification. Alesha’s experiences include diving on reefs in Florida, being a helmsman on Arctic Schooner Bowdoin, and conducting Marine field and Lab experiments. This will be Alesha’s second summer as an Instructor at BSSC.

Holden Dudley graduated from Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) this May with a bachelor of science degree in marine biology. While at MMA, Holden was a member of the football team. During the course of his studies, he conducted an ecological research project on the beaches surrounding Castine, Maine. Holden has helped to coach youth football in his town and considers himself to be very experienced in coaching young children in beneficial ways.

Olivia Harriman will be a sophomore at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in the fall. She is double majoring in marine biology and small vessel operations and is on the women’s lacrosse team. Olivia grew up playing sports, so teamwork and working well with others is very important to her. Working with kids makes her so very happy and she could not be more excited about working with them this summer.

Phoebe Churney is a rising sophomore at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) where she’s double majoring in marine biology and small vessel operations. Phoebe has been scuba certified since she was 14 years of age and is currently a rescue diver. Phoebe is working towards earning her dive masters certification. Phoebe found her passion for teaching after spending two summers volunteering at the Maine State Aquarium. She’s looking forward to diving into ocean adventures this summer with BSSC students. 

Emily Stone will be a sophomore this fall at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) where she’s majoring in marine biology and small vessels operations. Emily has her advanced SCUBA Certification and is working towards getting her rescue dive certification. She has worked at a YMCA as a swim instructor for kids of all ages as well as a caretaker in the day care center. Emily has lot of experience working with kids in and around water and is super excited to jump into the summer with the BSSC students.