Ariel Reaves Kylie Reeves Jessica Revelle Jessica Reyes Corey Rhoades Holly Richards Cooper Riggs Rachel Roberts Hannah Robison Pamela Robison ~-- ~., -·· . . ... '· · ~ . . . ! .\ ·..... ~~ · ~ •·\· ~f, . I I :, 'I ·"S!~: -·:J\·l. In the field of biology, few ever succeeded in becoming marine biologists. Sophomore biology major Meghin Morris, however, was pursuing that dream. After participating in a marine biology internship this summer, she was closer than ever to her goal. "I was sitting in my dorm room last spring thinking, 'I love marine biology. That's what I want to do with my life, and I need to get out and do something about it,'" Morris said. "So I went to SeaWorld's website, and they had an opening to apply online. I applied and did not think I was going to get it, but I got a call." · As nerve-wracking as the waiting period was, Morris did Q.Ot have to go through it alone. Her roommate sophomore Emily Owens and suitemate sophomore Zoe Growald were there for emotional support. . ''As soon as it became an option, we were all so on board with it even though there was nothing that we could do to really help her aside from being encouraging," Owens said. During Morris' time as a camp counselor at SeaWorld, she got to share her knowledge, talents and passions for marine life with children who came to SeaWorld shows. "During the shows, we usually tried to get the kids involved as much as we could," Morris said. "Every time they would see the sea lions or Shamu, their faces would light up, and they would point and say, 'Oh my goodness, that's so cool.' That 2b Sophomores ~illi~~ with dolphins experience every day was the best part to me." Not only did Morris get to teach about marine animals, she also worked behind the scenes and learned about SeaWorld. "Before I actually started working and could teach any of the kids, I had to pass a test about the animals," Morris said. "I learned so much about the biology, the sociology of the animals, how they interact with each other and what all is needed to take care of them every day. It was good experience for me." That experience, she believed, would help her achieve her ultimate goal of being a marine biologist. "First of all, this job helped me get my foot in the door," Morris said. "Now, every time I apply for ajob at an aquarium or rescue center, they will see that I worked at SeaWorld. Being around the animals and seeing what it takes to care for them helped me to better understand what I'm getting myself into. If anything, the job confirmed my career choice." Morris' close friends believed she was so deserving of the educational internship because teaching others was what she did best. "She's very understanding," Growald said. "She can break things down to your level, and she's not boastful about what she knows; she just knows it. She just loves knowing as much as she can, so it was great for her to be able to take what she loves and apply it to her everyday life." Lindsey Sullivan
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