Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Volunteer League, through the Virginia Aquarium Foundation, awarded a total of $25,000 in scholarships to seven high-achieving Aquarium volunteers. The scholarship winners are recent 2026 high school graduates selected through an application process requiring a minimum of 125 Aquarium volunteer hours.

The scholarship winners are Mara McDonald, Aiden Porter, Jackson Bennett, Avery Uzzle, Christina Coleman, Kylie Smith, and Alexandra Burris, who were each chosen based on their efforts that exceeded assigned tasks, their quality guest interactions, dependability, school standing, and community involvement.

“Our volunteers are an integral part of the Aquarium’s daily offerings and operations, and these volunteers are worth special recognition as they begin their careers and higher education in the field of science,” said Virginia Aquarium President and CEO, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis.

The seven volunteers received various scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.

Christina Coleman, worked at the Virginia Aquarium's gift shop through Virginia Beach's Youth Summer Employment Program. She continues to work at the Aquarium's Gift Shop and volunteers as a Gallery Docent. While working at the Aquarium, Coleman’s interest in marine life grew and she began to explore careers at the Aquarium. She plans to attend Tidewater Community College to major in Biology/Marine Biology and to return to the Aquarium as an Educator while in college.

Kylie Smith volunteered on the Animal Ambassador team and shadowed various sections to learn about the Aquarium. Her career goal is to join The Wildlife Society, get a scuba license, and travel abroad to understand nature around the world. She will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall to major in Environmental Conservation & Society.

Alexandra Burris has volunteered with the Virginia Aquarium as a Watershed Warrior and Guest Engagement Docent since 2021, accumulating 421 volunteer hours. Burris will be attending Florida Southern College to major in Chemistry.

Avery Uzzle served four years as Gallery Docent and Watershed Warrior, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and led a team of Scouts to construct bat houses installed at the Aquarium. He will attend Tidewater Community College to earn an Associate Science Degree in Environmental Science and transfer to Old Dominion University to complete a degree in Biology & Environmental Science.

Jackson Bennett has 200 volunteer hours with the Aquarium as a Watershed Warrior and through the one-day Tree-cycling events. Along with volunteering at the Aquarium, Bennett also founded the youth-led nonprofit Little Neck Community Betterment and volunteered for Lynnhaven River Now. Bennett will attend Virginia Tech to major in Business Information Technology and minor in Environmental Planning & Policy. Bennett was awarded the Volunteer League Sandy Wood Scholarship, named after Sandy Wood, the Aquarium’s longest-standing volunteer, who has been volunteering since the Aquarium opened in 1986, and is still volunteering today.

Aiden Porter volunteered with the Virginia Aquarium environmental justice teens and as a Guest Engagement docent. Along with the Aquarium volunteers, Porter volunteered at the Chesapeake Humane Society and the Chesapeake Central Library. Porter will attend the College of William & Mary to major in biology and marine science with the goal of having a career as a marine veterinarian.

Mara McDonald has volunteered at the Aquarium since 2022 as a Guest Engagement Docent and is an Executive Board member of Mayor's Youth League, combining 787 volunteer hours through the City of Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Aquarium’s Volunteer League has been awarding scholarships since 2007, totaling more than $182,000 in scholarships.

Apply to be a Virginia Aquarium volunteer at VirginiaAquarium.com .

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.

###