The East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation has awarded three scholarships to local high school students which will enable them to become certified as lifeguards.
The museum’s Paul Drum Children’s Nautical Education Program, which supports youngsters in the safety and enjoyment of the area’s surrounding waters, held an essay contest for children age 16 and older and chose Sean McElroy and David Jenkins, both 17, from Greenport High School and Cassidy Bertolas, 17, from Mattituck High School as the winners.
Entrants were required to write a 500-word essay describing what having a lifeguard certificate would mean to them. Museum chairwoman Arlene Klein, who was on the committee to choose a winner, said there was an outpouring of personal stories, making it a tough job to choose the three best essays. Additional committee members were Sharon Sailor, Paul’s mother and owner of Front Street Station, Rosalie Rung, co-owner of The Little Creek Oyster Farm and Market and Lynn Summers, museum treasurer and chairwoman of education.
Winners will receive lifeguard and CPR training through the Southold Town Recreation Department and will be required to attend instructional sessions at the Peconic Landing pool.
The scholarships were made possible by funds raised during the Pirates and Mermaids Breakfast at the annual Maritime Festival.
