Greenwich High School Seniors Finish SoundWaters Internships

STAMFORD, CT/June 18, 2025 – Four seniors from Greenwich High School made waves this spring as interns at SoundWaters, the region’s leading organization for hands-on climate science and environmental education.

Andrew Torok-Hillyard, Oliver Jankovich-Besan, Ava Marcus and Lauren Rutkoske spent five weeks immersed in the day-to-day operations at SoundWaters Coastal Education Center at Cove Island Park in Stamford. Instead of attending traditional classes in the final stretch of their high school careers, they chose to step outside the classroom and straight into Long Island Sound.

These Greenwich students were among a select group of high school interns from several area high schools, who gained hands-on experience in environmental science. Working alongside professional SoundWaters educators, the interns played a vital role in delivering science programs to more than 2,000 regional students, ranging from preschoolers to middle schoolers. Their days were spent leading hands-on experiments in the classroom and lab settings and conducting fieldwork aboard boats on Holly Pond.

“Teaching kids about the environment gave me a whole new perspective on science, said Marcus, who is starting at Northeastern University in the fall. “It was exciting to take what I’ve learned and use it to spark curiosity in younger students.”

The SoundWaters High School Internship Program is more than just work experience, it’s a launching pad for personal growth. “Our interns are at the heart of our mission,” said SoundWaters Director of Education Christina Genz. “They lead with curiosity, teach with passion and walk away with real skills and purpose. At SoundWaters, we believe that when students discover the sound, they embrace the world and this group of interns truly embodied that spirit.”

About SoundWaters

SoundWaters prepares the next generation for their future. With our climate in crisis, we teach tomorrow’s leaders the science they will need. With Long Island Sound as our classroom, we create love and respect for the natural world. As a matter of justice, we open the water to all. As a matter of urgency, we work to protect our common home. For more information, visit soundwaters.org.

Image (Photo Credit: Mike Bagley, SoundWaters)

Greenwich High School senior interns taking a break between teaching classes at SoundWaters at Cove Island Park in Stamford: (left to right) Andrew Torok-Hillyard, Ava Marcus, Lauren Rutkoske and Oliver Jankovich-Besan