Students from East Tampa and Sulphur Springs Dive into Marine Science at The Florida Aquarium

March 24, 2026

Share Story

Three middle and high school students from historically underserved Tampa neighborhoods swapped backpacks for dive helmets at The Florida Aquarium on Thursday. As part of the Teen Achievers AQUA Experience, they explored the Aquarium’s 500,000-gallon Heart of the Sea habitat during the SeaTREK underwater walking adventure, coming face-to-face with rays, a rescued sea turtle, and hundreds of Indo-Pacific fish.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM
TODAY’S SEATREK DIVE AND PANEL + INTERVIEWS

Lanae, one of the participating students, said, “I never thought I’d get to walk under the water with sea turtles and fish! It made me feel like I could do anything and maybe even have a career helping animals one day.”

The Teen Achievers AQUA Experience is a partnership between Bank of America, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, and The Florida Aquarium that prepares teens to become future leaders through college readiness resources, leadership development, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

“Bank of America’s partnership with The Florida Aquarium and Tampa YMCA is offering students from East Tampa firsthand insights into a variety of career opportunities,” said Michael Esposito, president, Bank of America Tampa Bay. “This investment reflects our longstanding commitment to creating pathways that prepare the next generation of talent in Tampa Bay for today’s jobs and the careers of tomorrow.”

Program leaders selected the three students based on academic success, consistent attendance, and positive engagement at school:

• Lanae, 7th grader at Sulphur Springs K-8: Selected for her leadership and academic performance.
• Ja’Mari, 10th grader at Middleton High School: Selected for her strong academic work ethic and kindness toward others.
• Ava, 12th grader at Middleton High School: Selected for her academic performance, positive relationships with peers and staff, and high program engagement.

Teen Achievers instructor Tikir Jahmai-Steele joined the students in SeaTREK in recognition of his leadership in running the program independently over the past year, increasing enrollment, and creating unique opportunities for students.

“Career Discovery Experiences, such as this, are an important part of the Achievers program,” said Meagan Smithyman, executive director of community schools & family outreach for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA. “They allow students to gain valuable insight into potential interests and career opportunities through exposure. Exposure to new career opportunities expands a young person’s mind to what they may achieve in the future, and helps them to connect their interests, education, and skills to postsecondary goals.”

Following the dive, 17 additional Teen Achievers participated in a panel on careers in conservation, enjoyed lunch, toured exhibits, and set out on a Wild Dolphin Cruise in Tampa Bay. The AQUA Experience—Achieve, Question, Understand, Aspire—offers students hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world and develop leadership skills.

“Many of our students come from communities where hands-on marine science experiences are rarely accessible,” said Tony Rokita, senior vice president of community engagement & social impact at The Florida Aquarium. “Experiencing marine life up close inspires confidence and curiosity while opening doors to careers in science, conservation, and environmental stewardship.”

Learn more about The Florida Aquarium and its conservation programs at flaquarium.org.