Meet the 2026-2027 Stars to Starfish Interns!
Kisha Adriano
My name is Kisha and I’m super excited and proud
to be part of this program! I have lived in Sarasota for about 2
years but I have lived near the ocean my whole life. I am thankful
for the opportunity and provide I have to help my community and
learn as the same time, and I firmly believe everything I
experience during my internship will carry on to my future for as
long as I live. I like crocheting, crafting, scrap booking, watching
anime, reading, and a lot of other stuff! I hope to bring my
creativity to the program and spread it to my peers and the
peopleI interact with. I want to bea paralegal someday, but I
know I’ll be volunteering with something marine related.
Santiago Ballen Cortes
Hi my name is Santiago Ballen Cortes, and I am an 18 year old senior at Riverview High School. I have been part of the Marine Biology program since my sophomore year, and honestly it kinda gave me a more personal kind of understanding of marine science, plus why protecting our oceans really matters. Through this program I’ve had the chance to explore marine ecosystems more closely, and also to get practical, hands on experience that has sharpened my interest in this field. I’m excited for this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to keep learning, to grow, and to contribute as an intern.
Emma Bird
My name is Emma Bird, I am a Senior here at Riverview! I am so excited to be a part of the 2026-2027 Stars to Starfish Internship! Living in Florida has fostered my love for the ocean and marine life. I enjoy kayaking through the mangroves, collecting shells at the beach, visiting aquariums, going for boat rides, anything near a body of water! I am always fascinated to learn more about the incredible world below the surface. My favorite animal is a sea turtle. When I was younger, I really wanted my job to be rescuing baby sea turtles. This love for marine life has become a part of who I am. I hope to be a marine biologist one day and make a positive change for the future. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue this passion of mine and inspire the next generation of ocean lovers!
Charlotte Bryceland
Hi! I’m Charlotte, but my friends call me Charlie. I’ve lived in Florida for most of my life and I am in love with our local species. Obviously, that extends into marine biology; I’m really into marine invertebrates, shorebirds, seabirds, and coastal reptiles! My interest in wildlife started at the old Mote aquarium when I was little and it’s only grown stronger over the years. I went into Stars to Starfish because I wanted to share my love for the natural world. Here’s hoping I get to do it forever!
Hayden Dixon
Hello, I am Hayden Dixon, and I am a senior at Riverview. I am originally from Maryland, and I have always been interested in marine biology and fish. I enjoy hanging out with my friends in my free time, as well as lifting and running outside of school. I plan on attending USF in order to pursue a job in marine biology, and I am excited to be apart of the Stars to Starfish program.
Willa Donovan
Hello! My name is Willa Donovan, I am a 17 year old intern in the Stars to Starfish program at RHS. I really enjoy going to the beach and taking photos of marine life and landscapes. I was born in California and then moved to Sarasota 14 years ago, so I have always been surrounded by the ocean. This internship is a huge opportunity for me, and I cannot wait to learn more!
Callie Dunkel
Hi! my name is Callie, I love the ocean and marine biology and am so excited for the 26-27 school year. I moved here from Georgia 6 years ago and fell in love with marine science! I enjoy kayaking and being outdoors. I cant wait to expand my knowledge about marine organisms and am so greatful for this experience!
Peyton Homan
Hi! My name is Peyton and this is my senior year at Riverview. I was born here in Sarasota and basically grew up at the beach. Marine science hits very close to home considering my brother is currently studying marine science at college. I love spending my free time cheering and hanging out with my friends. I am so grateful to be apart of this internship and to see what opportunities it will bring!
Ellis Howell
Hello, my name is Ellis Howell, and I am a senior at Riverview high school. I love the outdoors and being around marine life. Fishing is a passion of mine as I regularly fish at the beaches as well as I love to shark fish off of Turtle beach. Making sure the fishes are safe while we are fishing is a priority for me so they can sustain the population. I have played 2 years of varsity golf at Riverview high school and now I am considered a captain. Marine classes in school have always been some of my favorite classes and I can’t wait to see what it provides me in the future.
Sofia Jandera Chambless
Hi! My name is Sofia JC, and I’m a senior at Riverview High School. I was born in Asheville, North Carolina, and moved to Florida when I was six years old. I have always loved living so close to the beach and the warm weather. In my spare time, I love going to the beach, spending time with my family and friends, taking photos. I am also a competitive swimmer, so I spend a lot of my time swimming outside of school. I’m so excited to be a part of the Stars to Starfish 2026–2027 program and for everything it has to offer!
Ava Johnson
Hi there! My name is Ava Johnson and I’m a senior at Riverview High school. I have lived in Florida my entire life and have always had a passion for the ocean and marine life. In my spare time I love snorkeling, paddle boarding, and going to the beach. I’m super excited to be part of the ‘26-’27 Stars to Starfish program and grateful for the opportunity!
Angela Laureno
Hi, my name is Angela Laureno. I’m a senior at Riverview High School and couldn’t be more excited to be in Stars to Starfish! I’m a member of Sarasota Bay Watch, marine club, and volunteer at Marie Selby as a docent. I love to visit aquariums across the states. One day I hope to have a job in zoology and I’m happy to start this journey!
Carsyn LeBlanc
Hi! My name is Carsyn LeBlanc, I’m a senior at Riverview High School in the IBDP program. I was born in Tennessee but moved to Florida when I was three years old, since then i’ve always wanted to be on the beach and water. I’ve grown up surrounded by the ocean and marine life, so i’ve developed a love for the beauty of our coastal environment. I’m so blessed to be apart of this program and teach kids who also have the love for it! Outside of school, I enjoy going to the beach and boating with my friends. I’ve been wanting to be an intern since my sophmore year, as it’s an amazing program! I’m so excited to learn new things and inspire other people to take care and appreciate our beautiful ocean!
Jonathan Lopez-Guadarrama
Hi, my name is Jonathan, and I’m excited to be a stars to starfish intern. I enjoy the outdoors, snorkeling, and traveling. I’ve always been interested in marine life from dolphins to deep sea creatures. I am looking forward to this year.
Cooper Madden
Hello, my name is Cooper Madden and I’m a senior here at Riverview. I’ve lived in Sarasota my entire life and have always loved being around the water. I enjoy playing baseball, golfing, and hanging out with my friends. I’m excited to be a part of the Stars to Starfish program, where I can further my studies in marine science while guiding the younger generation in theirs.
Misha Meyer
Hiii! Im Misha Meyer, Im a senior at Riverview High school and im so excited to apart of the Stars to Starfish program! I am on the Varsity cheer team and I love to cheer for our school! I was born and raised in Sarasota. In my free time I love to go to the beach and tan and hangout with friends. I am so excited to be a 26′ -27′ Stars to starfish Intern and I am so grateful for the amazing opportunities and experiences to come!
Adam Moyal
Hello, my name is Adam Moyal, and I am a senior at Riverview High School. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I love the outdoors and being around marine life. Fishing is a passion of mine, as I regularly fish at the beaches and on the bay. I also love to shark fish off the beach. Making sure the fish I catch are safe while fishing is a priority for me, so I always safely catch and release everything I catch. I also enjoy boating and spending time on the water. I have always been interested in marine life, and I can’t wait to see what it provides me in the future.
Maria Nino
Hi!! My Name is Maria Nino Im a Senior at Riverview High school
I moved to Sarasota 12 years ago and love marine life. I love spending times
with friends and family. I also have a passion for yoga and food. Im so exited to learn more about the care of sea animals and to work with amazing kids!
Ben Patterson
Hi my name is Ben Patterson and I am a senior at Riverview. I am from Baltimore, Maryland and I moved down here in 2023. In my free time I like hanging out with friends, working out, playing sports, and fishing. I want to go to USF for college after I graduate. I look forward to being a part of the Stars to Starfish program this year.
Juliusz Raczkowski
Hello my name is Juliusz Raczkowski and I am a senior at Riverview High School. I am very excited to be an intern with the Stars to Starfish program this year and look forward to all the opportunities and experiences it will bring. At school, I am a member of both the football and lacrosse teams. Outside of school I enjoy spending time fishing and scuba diving. I’m looking forward to learning new things and having a great time throughout this internship.
Lucy Rex
Hey! I’m a senior in IBCP Marine Science. I play a lot of lacrosse and am in multiple clubs and honor societies at school. I’ve lived in Sarasota for 7 years. I’m thrilled to be in Stars To Starfish! I hope to go to USF or NSU for marine biology or animal science. I love going out in nature and seeing wildlife. I’ve learned a lot about Florida’s marine ecosystems and can’t wait for more!
Daphne Schemel
Hi! My name is Daphne, and I’m so excited to be an intern for the 2026-37 school year! I love spending my free time with my friends and family, and I’ve been a part of the Riverview Varsity Swim Team for 4 years now. Swimming has given me so many great memories, and I’m really excited to bring that experience into this program. I’m so grateful to be a part of this and can’t wait to see what this year has in store!
Ram Nation Aquascience 