This year's Education and Outreach interns in the Nonpoint Soure Pollution branch at the Division of Environmental Quality are Lyrard (Lee) B. Tenorio and Joleen Togawa Salas.
For their internship, they were assigned to focus on one main topic, the International Year of the Reef. With that, they will take on three main tasks: the creation of the IYOR Calendar, of print/radio advertisements, and the planning of IYOR quarterly events.
At this point of the internship, Lee and Joleen have spent countless hours in front of their computers, creating and designing different styles for the IYOR Calendar. In addition, they have been visiting the Marine Protected Areas of Saipan and taking pictures of these areas which will be included in the calendar. The calendar, which is intended to be debuted next year, will consist of local corals featuring several other environmental aspects of our islands. The calendar will not only include picturesque photos but will also contain much information about our marine life and how to maintain a healthy and clean environment both on land and in the water for everyone and everything.
Throughout the years there have been many concerns about the health and wellness of our corals. Our corals have been rapidly changing due to runoff, trash and even as a result of the illegal collection and use of corals. By creating outreach materials, such as the IYOR calendar, the interns feel that they are reaching out and helping the community understand the importance that coral reefs have on our islands. Thus, they believe that by helping educate the public through their internship about coral reefs, it is one way they both can help preserve this marvelous and essential part of the environment.
Lee graduated from high school in 2006 at Mount Carmel School. Upon completion, he attended Northern Marianas College for the 2006 fall and 2007 spring semesters. For next semester, he will transfer with his Criminal Justice credits to Bellevue Community College in Washington. When asked how he learned about the internship, Lee stated that when he first read the press release, there was a spark of interest that turned into a flame. From that moment, he began to ask friends and family about the internship and received positive feedback from each and every one. Now, he is enjoying the opportunity of working side-by-side with his co-intern, Joleen, in trying to help the community and the environment.
Last May, Joleen graduated from Northern Marianas Academy with her high school diploma and Northern Marianas College with her Liberal Arts degree. This fall, she will continue her education at Shogen Junior College in Japan this fall. During the summer of 2006, she enjoyed her internship at the NPS branch at DEQ so much that she decided to do it again this year. She says working with DEQ is not only enjoyable, but gratifying, and having a co-intern just makes things even better.
Both Lee and Joleen believe that the environment is something that should be everyone's priority no matter who or what we are. They feel that although we are not all the same race, gender, age, etc. we all live in one environment which we have made our home. Through this internship, Lee and Joleen feel they are giving back to their home. Nevertheless, they are more than grateful that they are having this opportunity to work with DEQ in trying to make a difference in our community. (DEQ)
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