Surfing Soapbox: Student’s passion for ocean shines through

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I too was a student at El Morro Elementary School and Thurston Middle School, and it was nothing short of an honor to come back and speak to the students.

It was such a blessing being back at El Morro and hosting an essay contest with the chosen topic, “One way I can save my ocean is…”

I read the submissions for two and half hours but one stood out from the beginning. It was simple and handwritten from the heart with the passion of someone who truly cares.

Congratulations to Will Compton for winning this year’s essay contest.

Will’s essay reads:

“One Way I Can Save My Ocean Is ...

“Did you know there is a big trash dump in our ocean? It was caused by all the trash people leave on the beach. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

“The Garbage Patch is made mostly of plastic. Plastic never goes away. Fish eat the plastic because they think it is food. More than 1 million fish and birds die each year from eating the plastic. The plastic could even get into our food supply and make us sick. And, some of the trash goes to the beaches.

“I have thought of some ways I can save my ocean. Things I can do to save my ocean are to not leave trash on the beach, pick up trash, remind my friends to help, recycle our plastic and use less plastic.

“If we all work together, we can all save our ocean!!!”

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com.