Sea La Vie (left to right) Rocco Quaranto III ’08, Kelly Struble ’08 and Wells Struble ’07
In the spring of 2018, Aquanette Sanders ’17 “fell in love with the ocean all over again” during a five-week research expedition studying the Sargasso Sea ecosystem. Through a program offered by the Sea Education Association, upper-level science students like Sanders embark on a “SEA Semester” to learn hands-on marine biodiversity assessment and conduct research that contributes to international conservation efforts. After four weeks of initial coursework at SEA’s campus in Woods Hole, MA, participants enjoy the capstone experience: a voyage from Nassau, Bahamas, to New York City, with a midcruise port stop in St. George’s, Bermuda.
Thirsty for Change Not everyone has the luxury of access to clean water. Tama Tea co-founders and UNCW alumni Rocco B. Quaranto III ’08, Kelly McKenzie Struble ’08 and Raimond “Wells” R. Struble ’07 want to change that. Because many of the areas that grow and harvest teas featured at Wilmingtonbased Tama Tea are affected by the world water crisis, the company is teaming up with the Thirst Project to tackle the problem one cup of tea at a time. The Thirst Project, a youth activism organization, funds or builds freshwater wells in impoverished communities in 13 countries, including India, Uganda, El Salvador and Kenya. The nonprofit’s representatives also travel the U.S. to speak to students about the global water crisis and challenging them to act.
“Although I did oceanographic work on boats at UNCW, I didn’t comprehend the difficulty of being out on 10-plus foot waves trying to make sure my samples didn’t get contaminated while things were falling in the lab,” said Sanders, who double majored in biology and chemistry. Now back on dry land, Sanders says the experience confirmed her career goals, and she plans to pursue both a master’s and Ph.D. in marine science. – C.C.
“The availability and cleanliness of water are necessary for life, and they’re worth our time and energy,” said Quaranto. Tama Tea donates one percent of purchases made through its app to the Thirst Project. With additional locations in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, the company’s community contributions are poised to really add up. The co-founders, who also started Fuzzy Peach, a local frozen yogurt shop, searched for more than a year to find the right nonprofit with which to partner, he said. “We found an organization that was energetic and doing some really cool things,” he said. “We align with them very well, and our money will have a direct impact.” And with your next sip of oolong, matcha or chai, so will yours. To learn more, visit tamacafe.com. – V.J. Sanders at the helm of the SSV Corwith Cramer, en route from Bermuda to New York City Photo by Sea Education Association/SEA Semester
13
UNCW MA GA ZI NE
