Harbor Heroes: 21 Harbor School alums circle back to Billion Oyster Project

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Johnny Anderson and Joshua Taliaferrow fabricating reef balls.

We are delighted to report that, as of this summer, 21 alumni from the New York Harbor School have returned to their roots — joining the team here at Billion Oyster Project as temporary or full-time staff. 

“Our staff has jumped to 70 people this summer” explains Vicky Maronilla, Director of Finance & Operations at Billion Oyster Project. “A quarter of these individuals have returned to BOP after graduating from the Harbor School — and gaining higher education and other work experience. To me, that is a testament to the school's unique curriculum and the pull of our mission at Billion Oyster Project.” 

These alumni, once students immersed in the world of oyster restoration and maritime education, have come full circle, contributing their skills and passion to a project that they discovered at 15 and 16 years old.

To me, [this] is a testament to the school's unique curriculum and the pull of our mission at Billion Oyster Project.” 

The New York Harbor School, located on Governors Island, is how Billion Oyster Project got started. Just over 10 years ago, the school’s founder, Murray Fisher, and then Aquaculture teacher Pete Malinowski, had a theory that students could restore oysters to New York Harbor as part of their high school experience. Fast forward a decade and they seem to be right! 

Since its founding in 2003, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the public high school has been a beacon of environmental education. Its eight Career & Technical Education programs are deeply intertwined with the work of Billion Oyster Project — creating a unique partnership that not only provides students with hands-on experience in marine science and the complex challenge of habitat restoration, but also instills a profound sense of responsibility towards New York Harbor and the natural world at large. 

“We’d like to think that the return of these 21 alumni is a testament to the school's success,” explains Ann Fraioli, Director of Education at Billion Oyster Project, and a former Harbor School educator. “Billion Oyster Project aims to foster a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and we are fortunate to have the Harbor School as our flagship school partner.”

“Billion Oyster Project aims to foster a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and we are fortunate to have the Harbor School as our flagship school partner.”

Isabella Torres at Billion OysteR Project’s 2024 Scy-posium at Building 16 in Nolan Park.

These returning alumni bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience gained during their time at the Harbor School and in subsequent endeavors. Their roles within Billion Oyster Project are diverse, ranging from Assistant Director of Community Engagement to Research Associate Technician — a paid learning opportunity for young adults to explore careers in marine, environmental education and engagement, and non-profit fields. Each alum has a unique journey to add to the BOP team, which in turn enhances our organization’s ability to restore oysters — a keystone species of New York Harbor — and improve the overall health of New York Harbor. Their homecoming provides significant reinforcement of our mission and vision across staff, and even extends to supporters.

“One core memory from my childhood is me and my mother crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan,” recalls BOP Research Associate Technician Konner Wade. “As kids tend to do, I was looking out the window at the Harbor. I remember asking her if we could see a pufferfish in the water. She said no, the water was too dirty and no animals lived in it. This broke my little heart at the time. In a different world this would have been my villain origin story. Luckily I did not go down that path, but down a different more productive route — one of education and environmentalism.

Billion Oyster Project's success hinges on the passion and dedication of individuals who can envision a thriving, biodiverse New York Harbor catalyzed by the restoration of the city’s historic oyster reefs. The journey of 21 people — from students to staff — symbolizes Billion Oyster Project’s potential to inspire and cultivate future environmental leaders. 

The 21 Harbor School alumni currently on staff are:

Ray Rivera adds oyster larvae to retrofitted shipping containers at Pier 101 on Governors Island.

  • Beatrix Alevras, Seasonal Remote Setting Technician

  • Johnny Anderson, Fabrication Manager

  • Joanna Argudo, Seasonal Community Science Water Quality Technician 

  • Prophet Davidson, Seasonal Public Outreach Coordinator

  • Marcel De Bernardo, Seasonal Community Stewardship Technician 

  • Casey Fogarty, Operations Manager

  • Gideon Graves, Seasonal Fabrication Technician

  • Marc Melendez, Waterfront Director

  • Michael Mongiello, Seasonal Education Outreach Associate

  • Thay Petrillo-Foster, Seasonal Remote Setting Technician

  • Shania Rajoon-Deonarine, Remote Setting Technician

  • Illusion Rivera, Field Station Manager

  • Ray Rivera, Seasonal Remote Setting Technician

  • Ashley Rodriguez, Public Volunteer Coordinator

  • Konner Wade Campbell Scheel, Research Associate Technician

  • Tanasia Swift, Assistant Director of Community Engagement

  • Joshua Taliaferrow, Fabrication Senior Coordinator

  • Gabriela Torres Schwartz, Seasonal Public Volunteer Coordinator

  • Isabella Torres, Field Station Coordinator

  • Asly Ventura, Public Outreach Coordinator

  • Jonah Tom Wong, Seasonal Fabrication Technician

As these alumni dive into the murky waters of our Harbor and engage a new generation of young people in the hands-on work of Billion Oyster Project, it feels undeniable that we we can reach our goal of restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor, and — maybe more importantly — our entire community gets to witness the power of learning, growing, and giving back, and how important that is for having hope for a brighter, healthier future for New York Harbor.