Sonoita middle school girls explore the waters of the Gulf of Santa Catalina via kayaks. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
Suzanna Gallardo experiences the sensation of a sea urchin. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
Sonoita middle schoolers check out the shark tank at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Pictured (from left) are Hudson Willie, James Thomas, Deegan Ortiz, Lowen Davis, Nexus Wagner and Landry Kyrklund. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
Daylyn Corbell (left) and Ryker Hintsala dissect a squid. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
Rydia Fennell studies the jaw of a sand tiger shark. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
James Thomas reads up on aquatic species found in the Pacific Ocean. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper. 
Sisters Suzanna (left) and Olivia Gallardo pet a shark. Photos contributed by Kyndra Ortiz and Terrell Harper.
Dissecting squids, petting sharks, night snorkeling: Core memories for seventh and eighth graders at Sonoita Elementary School who recently spent five nights at the Catalina Island Marine Institute.
Nexus Wagner, an eighth-grade graduate, was one of 28 students participating in the Fox Landing camp on Catalina Island. His favorite activities included the giant swing and snorkeling. And, of course, hanging out with classmates.
Brett Wagner, Nexus’s dad, characterized his son’s adventure as a “huge success. A lot of good memories were made there.” With a curriculum that blended hands-on laboratory experiments, ocean exploration and terrestrial island ecology, the Marine Institute programs focus on experiential learning, conservation and team building.
Dan Erickson, superintendent and principal of the Sonoita school, was one of three staff chaperones, along with middle school math teacher Kyndra Ortiz and P.E. teacher and counselor Terrell Harper. Erickson said the jam-packed days offered up a lot of firsts for students — experiences that could not be replicated in a classroom.
“Some of the kids told me it was the first time they had ever been on a flight,” Erickson said. Some had never been on a ferry; others had never put on a wetsuit or snorkeled. “They spent so much time in close quarters for a week, they built very strong relationships,” he said — no doubt aided by the fact that cell phones were taken away on arrival at the institute.
The Catalina trip has been part of the district’s curriculum for more than 10 years. Previously, the trip was limited to eighth graders, but Erickson said taking two grades was more financially practical. Thousands of dollars per child must be raised, with parents required to put up the first $100. Donut sales, walk-a-thons, school dance fees and tax credits all contributed to the fundraising.
“We are always glad to give a shoutout to the donors who make the trip possible,” Erickson said.