Ocean Hero Finalists: Diana Gonzalez - Oceana USA
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May 14, 2010

Ocean Hero Finalists: Diana Gonzalez

This is the eleventh and final post in a series about this year’s Ocean Hero finalists.

Rounding out our Ocean Heroes finalist series is Diana Gonzalez, who became an ocean activist by accident — and is making a big difference.

As a high school freshman last year, she was signed up for a marine science course, but decided she wanted to take choir instead. Her counselor said it wasn’t possible, so she kept the class.

She’s been singing the ocean’s praises ever since.

As the school year went by, Diana was shocked to learn about the threats facing the ocean. She had fallen in love with the class — and the oceans — and she was inspired to start a school club with several of her friends. They (politely) named the new group Save The Ocean Please (S.T.O.P.)

Diana was able to get 80 students to participate, and the group has completed several beach clean-ups, done canvassing on the street, and most recently, S.T.O.P. held a bake sale with fish-shaped cookies to raise funds for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The group is also in the process of installing recycling bins in every classroom. Diana says she’s hoping to do even more next year, including making visits to local schools to give presentations to younger students.

If you haven’t already, read about all the finalists and cast your vote for this year’s Ocean Hero!