Third Grade Sailor, Environmental Advocate [video]

Shorecrest third grader Arden K. has been sailing with her family since she was a baby. After a strong summer of sailing lessons, Arden was moved up a level and prepped for her first ragatta. Unfortunately, the low water quality levels in Tampa Bay foced the race to be cancelled. Arden was disappointed, and learned from neighbors about an upcoming protest. With her family's support she decided to use this as a forum for speaking out against our water conditions and recent sewage dumping.

Arden was surprised to find her own picture in the "Tampa Bay Times" the next day. Her story was picked up locally, so she used her 15 minutes of fame to try to catch the Mayor's attention too, and sent him a letter about her thoughts on cleaning up local waters. She'd like to get back on a boat and sail with her peers, but won't sail in conditions that could leave her sick.

Her idea for the City? Treat the water until it's clean enough to put back in the Bay, and use the sewage removed as "something cool, like a statue... or turn it into compost." Arden's actions reflect the Shorecrest motto: "We respect ourselves, each other and the environment."