Mat-Su Career & Tech High School had two teams compete in the 2011 Ocean Bowl in Seward on February 4-6^th.  Each team had to write a 20 page research paper on some aspect on Human Impacts.  The Tiger Sharks team of Jonah Jefferies, Alonzo Gage, Chris Erickson, Shayla Jordan and Aspen Melton wrote on “Effects of Cyanide Fishing on the Coral Reefs of Wakatobi Marine National Park”.  The Mat-Tsunami’s team of Lucus Hyce, Reno Hyce, Myriam Wells, and Sarah Dawkins wrote on “The Sensitive Baltic Sea”.  This research paper had to be completed and sent in for scoring by December 1^st.  After arriving in Seward each team had to do a 20 minute oral presentation of their research paper followed by questions from local scientists.  The next part of the competition was the quiz bowl, where two teams ask asked question on all aspects of the ocean in a jeopardy format.  CTHS did an awesome job on all parts of the competition.  The final results had the Tiger Sharks placing second to Juneau.  Each member of the Tiger Sharks received a $2,000 tuition waiver at University of Alaska Fairbanks, $2,000 tuition waiver from University of Alaska Southeast and $1,000 tuition Waiver from UAF if they decide to major in fisheries. Mat-Tsunami’s placing sixth, each member of this team will receive a $1,000 tuition waiver from UAF if they decide to major in fisheries.  Sarah Dawkins and Jonah Jefferies received MVP of their teams.  Each received several cool prizes for their hard work. Lastly, Lucus Hyce received special acknowledgement for his cool t-shirt design.  Our results showed a great improvement over last year where we placed 9^th and 15^th respectively.  We would like to thank Society for Science in the Public Fellowship Program, Lyden Air Cargo, and Alaska USA Federal Credit Union for completely sponsoring every aspect of this program.  Special thanks to Bill Jeffries for driving students to Seward and back and Barbara Petukh for stepping in and becoming assistant coach.

2011 Sponsors