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  B a c k g r o u n d

The 54 members of Palisades High School A.P. Biology Marine Research Team will be on St. John April 18 to April 25, 2000. The goal of the program is to introduce all aspects of reef and island ecology to the A.P. Biology students. This educational effort will promote an understanding of the fragileness and beauty of this unique system. Each year beginning in September the students enroll in the A.P. Biology class at Palisades High School begin a review of the work done on the island in the past year. Team leaders are selected from the previous year to coordinate the project for incoming students. This year six team leaders were chosen to organize the forty-one new incoming team members. Students study phylogenetic, island botany, and geology during the winter. Over the years, the group has been recognized with numerous awards on both the regional and national level. Many of our kids have gone on to further studies in biology and ecology at both the college and graduate school levels. To date, over four hundred students have participated in the program. To finance the program, fundraising is conducted. The program price per student is $675. This includes airfare, lodging at Maho Bay, and food expenses. The group is funded by contacting local businesses and community members for sponsorship. Donors become contributing businesses, sponsoring businesses, or environmental partner to the group. As money is donated, it goes to building student accounts until our funding goals are met. All chaperones and teachers pay their own expenses. The group is a registered Boy Scout Educational Troop and the boy scouts carry the insurance for the group. Our chaperones represent a variety of areas of expertise and their biographies can be found below. We are particularly grateful to the folks at Maho for their continuing support of our group and also wish to thank all of our sponsors and environmental partners.

   2 0 0 0 R e s e a r c h T e a m
2000 Research Group
Christina Raynock, Brenden Meyers, Adam Oleska, Nick Peacock, Kara Place, Jesse Riggins, Jason Schanbacher, Katie Skow, Kyle Trauger, Pat Bogard, Andrew Brodbeck, Pat Callan, Barndy Curry, Stephanie Davis, Julie Dunkleberger, Wendy Eaton, Mike Jefferson, Charles Bache, Bill Bowen, Marcy Burke, Dave Chwastyk, Nathan Hahn, Joe Hallowell, Sarah Harlan, Dave Jenny, Jocelyn Gaspar, Dalton Hance, Barry Helverson, Rose Hollander, Jenny Johnson, Jason Lamontagne, Briana Lindsay, Megan Melick, Mike Lindley, Melody Mumbauer, Rick Roberts, Emily Roskowski, Abby Sears, Chris Shack, Katie Wachtel, Jeff Ziegler

  T e a m L e a d e r s
2000 Team Leaders
Kristen Cahill - Hi! My name is Kristen Cahill and I am very lucky to have this be my second AP Biology trip to St John. This year, I am a senior at Palisades High School. Next year I will be attending Lafayette College, but I am still undecided about my choice of major. In addition to that, I am involved in Key Club, Kids' for Kindness, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student government, and of course, the ecology club. I also run Cross Country, winter track, and play soccer.

Elizabeth Hallowel - I am privileged enough to returning to this beautiful island of St. John for a second year as a senior. Along with being involved in the Marine Biology Research Team, I am also involved in Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track, Student Government, Key Club, Kids' for Kindness, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society. After high school, I will be attending Lafayette College, where I will continue my running career but am still undecided on my major. This trip gives me the opportunity to interact with different types of people and experience a new environment.

Jaclyn Lustig - Hi, I am senior and a retuning member of the AP Bio Research Team. I am involved in cheerleading, dance team, chorus, musicals, and other school related activities. I will be attending Penn State next year, and I hope to major in something in the college of Health and Human Development. I am thrilled to have been invited back as a group leader, and I can't wait to share its beauty with you.

Jennifer Fleck - My name is Jennifer Fleck and I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to return to St. John as part of the 2000 AP Biology Marine Research Team. I am also a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government, Eco Club, and was part of the 1999 German-American Partnership Program. After graduation, I will be attending Duquesne University where I will major in Physical Therapy.

Aaron Kling - Hi. I'm Aaron Kling. I am a senior and will be attending Lehigh University next year. This is my second trip to Saint John's Island with the AP Biology class. I feel lucky that I am able to come back as a group leader. So far I have really enjoyed showing the other students the things I learned last year. It's a great experience to teach and learn new things in the real world rather than a book.

Charles Spock - Carried within the internals of a society is the underlying ambition to discover and to explore new areas. It is practically beyond cohesive thought to describe the sheer amazement one feels while gazing upon the natural wonder of the Virgin Islands. I am simply thankful for the chance to be here. I also wish to educate about and research the tropical areas after I finish college, which will be attended at Gettysburg University.

  C h a p e r o n e s

Pat Peterson - Hi! I'm the program coordinator for the marine team. I teach A.P. Biology to juniors and seniors, ninth grade biology, tenth grade chemistry and the gifted program at Palisades High School in Kintnersville, Pa. My interests are pretty eclectic and include running our family farm, growing day daylilies, and sailing one-design ultra-lights. I am usually the forward crew and fly the spinnaker on the thistle. In 1989, my daughters and I visited St. John about 2 months after Hurricane Hugo. The island was badly hit, and there was damage everywhere. My girls thought that we should get some people together and help with the cleanup. My students volunteered and the first marine team was formed. The cartoon and picture shown on the website is of those kids. What was to be a one-time adventure has expanded into our 54-member program. Each year my AP Bio students come with me to the island over the Easter break to learn about reef ecology. When they return home, they complete their marine studies.

Mark Chilton - I am a first year science teacher at Palisades H.S. I am also a former student at Palisades and a member of the first group to come down to St. John. That trip was one of many contributing factors that led me towards a B.S. in biology. My love of science and desire to share its many fascinations led me back to Palisades as a teacher. I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful educational experience and hope to contribute many things to the future of this trip.

Chad Hauze - I am a math teacher at Palisades who was asked to go on the trip because of my experience with the computers and web sites. I also was a member of the research team in 1994 and 1995 when I was a student at Palisades. Since I got down to St. John I have been noticing the differences since I was last here in 1995. It is quite amazing to see how the Island has changed in five years.

Sarah Peterson - I graduated in 1999 from Gettysburg College with a B.S. in Environmental Science. I am now working in northern New Jersey for Project Us, an experiential education facility which emphasizes learning through shared experiences in an environmental backdrop. I have been coming on the St. John trip since its beginning in 1990.

Diane Allison - This is my sixth trip as a chaperone on this Island adventure. In my other life, I work in microbiological quality control for Ortho BioTech. I am a bird watching addict in my spare time and also enjoy backpacking and nature photography. I began coming on this trip when my son was a senior, and have enjoyed the experience ever since. The students are great, the trip is definitely not a vacation - they are learning and working from 7 AM til 9 PM... and then we all sleep pretty well!

Dave Allison - I have been a chaperone on this trip for the last 5 years. Diane and I have two kids that have gone through the AP bio program and have gained a better understanding of the natural world because of the trip. I work for Johnson and Johnson in the science field, and enjoy fishing camping and working on my antique car. I feel privileged to be a chaperone on this trip for as long as I have, and look forward every year to explore the island and learn new things with the students.

Rick Jefferson - Three of my kids have had the opportunity to come here to study and This is the second time I've been blessed to be able to accompany the AP Bio class to share in this experience. My first time was 3 years ago with my daughter Christy, and this time I am here with my son, Mike. I am always amazed at how much the kids learn here and how hard they work. I have been self employed for the last 15 years and help companies market their products and services through the Internet using E-commerce and alliances with GE Information Systems, VISA, and Thomas Register.

All material © 2000-2003 Chad D. Hauze. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be copied, modified, linked to, or reproduced without written consent from Chad Hauze and the Palisades High School AP Biology Program.


About Us
Welcome Page About Us Photo Gallery Daily Log Student Experiments Materials and Resources Credits Current Study		B a c k g r o u n d The 54 members of Palisades High School A.P. Biology Marine Research Team will be on St. John April 18 to April 25, 2000. The goal of the program is to introduce all aspects of reef and island ecology to the A.P. Biology students. This educational effort will promote an understanding of the fragileness and beauty of this unique system. Each year beginning in September the students enroll in the A.P. Biology class at Palisades High School begin a review of the work done on the island in the past year. Team leaders are selected from the previous year to coordinate the project for incoming students. This year six team leaders were chosen to organize the forty-one new incoming team members. Students study phylogenetic, island botany, and geology during the winter. Over the years, the group has been recognized with numerous awards on both the regional and national level. Many of our kids have gone on to further studies in biology and ecology at both the college and graduate school levels. To date, over four hundred students have participated in the program. To finance the program, fundraising is conducted. The program price per student is $675. This includes airfare, lodging at Maho Bay, and food expenses. The group is funded by contacting local businesses and community members for sponsorship. Donors become contributing businesses, sponsoring businesses, or environmental partner to the group. As money is donated, it goes to building student accounts until our funding goals are met. All chaperones and teachers pay their own expenses. The group is a registered Boy Scout Educational Troop and the boy scouts carry the insurance for the group. Our chaperones represent a variety of areas of expertise and their biographies can be found below. We are particularly grateful to the folks at Maho for their continuing support of our group and also wish to thank all of our sponsors and environmental partners. 2 0 0 0 R e s e a r c h T e a m Christina Raynock, Brenden Meyers, Adam Oleska, Nick Peacock, Kara Place, Jesse Riggins, Jason Schanbacher, Katie Skow, Kyle Trauger, Pat Bogard, Andrew Brodbeck, Pat Callan, Barndy Curry, Stephanie Davis, Julie Dunkleberger, Wendy Eaton, Mike Jefferson, Charles Bache, Bill Bowen, Marcy Burke, Dave Chwastyk, Nathan Hahn, Joe Hallowell, Sarah Harlan, Dave Jenny, Jocelyn Gaspar, Dalton Hance, Barry Helverson, Rose Hollander, Jenny Johnson, Jason Lamontagne, Briana Lindsay, Megan Melick, Mike Lindley, Melody Mumbauer, Rick Roberts, Emily Roskowski, Abby Sears, Chris Shack, Katie Wachtel, Jeff Ziegler T e a m L e a d e r s Kristen Cahill - Hi! My name is Kristen Cahill and I am very lucky to have this be my second AP Biology trip to St John. This year, I am a senior at Palisades High School. Next year I will be attending Lafayette College, but I am still undecided about my choice of major. In addition to that, I am involved in Key Club, Kids' for Kindness, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student government, and of course, the ecology club. I also run Cross Country, winter track, and play soccer. Elizabeth Hallowel - I am privileged enough to returning to this beautiful island of St. John for a second year as a senior. Along with being involved in the Marine Biology Research Team, I am also involved in Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track, Student Government, Key Club, Kids' for Kindness, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society. After high school, I will be attending Lafayette College, where I will continue my running career but am still undecided on my major. This trip gives me the opportunity to interact with different types of people and experience a new environment. Jaclyn Lustig - Hi, I am senior and a retuning member of the AP Bio Research Team. I am involved in cheerleading, dance team, chorus, musicals, and other school related activities. I will be attending Penn State next year, and I hope to major in something in the college of Health and Human Development. I am thrilled to have been invited back as a group leader, and I can't wait to share its beauty with you. Jennifer Fleck - My name is Jennifer Fleck and I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to return to St. John as part of the 2000 AP Biology Marine Research Team. I am also a member of the National Honor Society, Student Government, Eco Club, and was part of the 1999 German-American Partnership Program. After graduation, I will be attending Duquesne University where I will major in Physical Therapy. Aaron Kling - Hi. I'm Aaron Kling. I am a senior and will be attending Lehigh University next year. This is my second trip to Saint John's Island with the AP Biology class. I feel lucky that I am able to come back as a group leader. So far I have really enjoyed showing the other students the things I learned last year. It's a great experience to teach and learn new things in the real world rather than a book. Charles Spock - Carried within the internals of a society is the underlying ambition to discover and to explore new areas. It is practically beyond cohesive thought to describe the sheer amazement one feels while gazing upon the natural wonder of the Virgin Islands. I am simply thankful for the chance to be here. I also wish to educate about and research the tropical areas after I finish college, which will be attended at Gettysburg University. C h a p e r o n e s Pat Peterson - Hi! I'm the program coordinator for the marine team. I teach A.P. Biology to juniors and seniors, ninth grade biology, tenth grade chemistry and the gifted program at Palisades High School in Kintnersville, Pa. My interests are pretty eclectic and include running our family farm, growing day daylilies, and sailing one-design ultra-lights. I am usually the forward crew and fly the spinnaker on the thistle. In 1989, my daughters and I visited St. John about 2 months after Hurricane Hugo. The island was badly hit, and there was damage everywhere. My girls thought that we should get some people together and help with the cleanup. My students volunteered and the first marine team was formed. The cartoon and picture shown on the website is of those kids. What was to be a one-time adventure has expanded into our 54-member program. Each year my AP Bio students come with me to the island over the Easter break to learn about reef ecology. When they return home, they complete their marine studies. Mark Chilton - I am a first year science teacher at Palisades H.S. I am also a former student at Palisades and a member of the first group to come down to St. John. That trip was one of many contributing factors that led me towards a B.S. in biology. My love of science and desire to share its many fascinations led me back to Palisades as a teacher. I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful educational experience and hope to contribute many things to the future of this trip. Chad Hauze - I am a math teacher at Palisades who was asked to go on the trip because of my experience with the computers and web sites. I also was a member of the research team in 1994 and 1995 when I was a student at Palisades. Since I got down to St. John I have been noticing the differences since I was last here in 1995. It is quite amazing to see how the Island has changed in five years. Sarah Peterson - I graduated in 1999 from Gettysburg College with a B.S. in Environmental Science. I am now working in northern New Jersey for Project Us, an experiential education facility which emphasizes learning through shared experiences in an environmental backdrop. I have been coming on the St. John trip since its beginning in 1990. Diane Allison - This is my sixth trip as a chaperone on this Island adventure. In my other life, I work in microbiological quality control for Ortho BioTech. I am a bird watching addict in my spare time and also enjoy backpacking and nature photography. I began coming on this trip when my son was a senior, and have enjoyed the experience ever since. The students are great, the trip is definitely not a vacation - they are learning and working from 7 AM til 9 PM... and then we all sleep pretty well! Dave Allison - I have been a chaperone on this trip for the last 5 years. Diane and I have two kids that have gone through the AP bio program and have gained a better understanding of the natural world because of the trip. I work for Johnson and Johnson in the science field, and enjoy fishing camping and working on my antique car. I feel privileged to be a chaperone on this trip for as long as I have, and look forward every year to explore the island and learn new things with the students. Rick Jefferson - Three of my kids have had the opportunity to come here to study and This is the second time I've been blessed to be able to accompany the AP Bio class to share in this experience. My first time was 3 years ago with my daughter Christy, and this time I am here with my son, Mike. I am always amazed at how much the kids learn here and how hard they work. I have been self employed for the last 15 years and help companies market their products and services through the Internet using E-commerce and alliances with GE Information Systems, VISA, and Thomas Register.