apprentice bios

Tiffany Barker is a 16-year old student who is a freshman at SUNY Maritime College. She has certifications in CPR, powerboat piloting, tree pruning, water quality monitoring, and canoeing. Tiffany has been in Rocking the Boat for three years. Rocking the Boat has taught her maritime and environmental skills. She does not specialize in any particular project; however, she is highly skilled in many of the projects that we do in Rocking the Boat. Tiffany plans to become a marine biologist. However, she is also looking into becoming a doctor or president.

Marcus Caceres is a 17-year old with lots of potential. As a senior in Bronx Leadership Academy II High School, he has come a long way in both school and Rocking theBoat. As one of the Global Citizen Corps Leaders (GCC) in his school, Marcus has stepped up from an on-water student to an On-Water Job Skills Apprentice in just the short time. Now he is the captain of the Job Skills Rowing team, holds certification in CPR, and acquired maritime skills above his years. At Rocking the Boat, Marcus is an excellent rower and expert in the ways of the oysters. Rocking the Boat has taught Marcus how to be more professional and taught him the skills he might need in the future if he decides to follow up on his goal of attending SUNY Maritime College and becoming an environmentalist.

Toniann German is a spunky 17-year old who is currently in the 11th grade at Fannie Lou Hamer High School. She prides herself at being a leader and reaching out to her community. Toniann has been a member of Rocking the Boat for almost two years. As a Job Skills Apprentice, she specializes in water quality monitoring and participates in Voice. Her career goal is to become a National Search and Rescue Coast Guard. When she was asked how Rocking the Boat has prepared her for the real world, Toniann answers by saying, "Rocking the Boat gives me the opportunity to experience so many different things beyond my imagination. It gives me a chance to experience not only my first job, but to understand how I am important in my community."

Sabrina Marie is a spontaneous 17-year old girl. Sabrina is a 12th grader at the High School for Violin and Dance and wants to pursue a career as an Urban Park Ranger. Sabrina has been a part of Rocking the Boat for a little more than a year. At Rocking the Boat, Sabrina specializes in water quality monitoring and wading birds. She says, "Rocking the Boat helps me prepare for the real world by giving me a taste of what a real job is like. It gives me an opportunity to see what other careers are out there."

Ashley Quiles is a 17-year old high school senior at the High School for Violin and Dance. Ashley is CPR certified. She has been in Rocking the Boat for a year now and specializes in water quality monitoring, wading birds, and oyster monitoring. Rocking the Boat is preparing Ashley for the real world by showing her what the world has to offer and the economic state of the world. She plans to pursue a career in social work.

Joshua Santana is a 16-year old student who attends All Hollows High School. He is currently in the 11th grade. Joshua entered Rocking the Boat during the summer semester of 2007 as a student, and a year later he got accepted into the Job Skills program. The one skill that Joshua thrives on is rowing. He is really passionate about this. He gets excited every time we go out on water, and also enjoys taking people out on the boats during community rowing and other occasions. Rocking the Boat has prepared Joshua greatly by teaching him how to become a better public speaker, networking, and becoming a better leader. Joshua is still undecided about what he wants to study in college, but he is interested in studying graphic design and working with the Park Rangers department.

Victoria Swedin is one of the apprentices in Rocking the Boat. She is 18 years old and has graduated from the New York Harbor School. She has many certifications in areas such as first aid, power boat safe handling, boater safety, water monitoring, canoeing, and also child abuse prevention. Victoria has been in Rocking the Boat for about three years and specializes in water monitoring and oyster monitoring. Rocking the Boat helps her prepare for the real world in many different ways that included showing her different career paths. After leaving Rocking the Boat, Victoria plans on pursuing a career as a big time lawyer.

Yuritt Zeron is an 18-year old LaGuardia Community College freshman. Her career goal is to become a Veterinarian, and she has been a part of Rocking the Boat for a year. Yuritt specializes in water quality monitoring and enjoys teaching other students. Yuritt says that Rocking the Boat does prepare her for the real world because she is trying to pursue a veterinarian career. She says that, “Since biology plays a big part in becoming a veterinarian and Rocking the Boat has a lot to do with biology, it relates to what I want to do in the future”