2024-2025_MATES_Leaders

2024 - 2025 MATES Project Terrapin Leaders

Overall, Publicity and Outreach Division

Morgan Zylinski '25

Overall Coordinator

Morgan has been involved in Project Terrapin serving as a Care Coordinator and helping with all aspects of Project Terrapin. She is student researcher who serves as an Research Assistance and Development coordinator to mentor other students. Morgan serves on the Project Terrapin LLC advisory board and coordinates the MATES Chapter of Project Terrapin.

Ava Boyle '25

Social Media and Publicity Specialist

Ava has been involved in all aspects of Project Terrapin the past three years volunteering for events and being a supportive member. She is student researcher and involved in numerous aspects of MATES. Ava is working with all Project Terrapin divisions to promote activities and get Project Terrapin more visible.

Abigail Jones '25

Overall Outreach Coordinator

Abby has been involved in all aspects of Project Terrapin the past three years serving as an Outreach assistant and even helping with terrapin research in the field during the summer. Abby volunteers her time at events and is an integral part of Project Terrapin. She is a student researcher at MATES as well.

Swera Patel '25

Outreach Assitant

Swera has been involved in Project Terrapin the past two years serving as an Outreach instructor and helping with events at Island Beach State Park and our Winter Outreach Program. She will be an integral part of our 2025 Winter Outreach Program.

Violet Fisher '26

Outreach Assistant

Violet has been involved in Project Terrapin the past two years serving as an Outreach Instructor and our hatchling head start release day. She is a student researcher who is involved in numerous aspects of MATES.

Kyle Wlazlowski '26

Outreach Assistant

Kyle has been involved in Project Terrapin events and outreach programs. He will be instrumental in our Winter Outreach program and volunteers for numerous activities at MATES, and conducts student research.

Care Division

Maya Abdelaal '25

Care Coordinator

Maya has been involved in many aspects of MATES Project Terrapin the past three years and a care leader last year. She has been instrumental in summer care. Maya is a student researcher who is a Research Assistance Development Coordinator, mentoring younger students with research.

Miranda Ring '25

Assistant Care Leader

Miranda has been involved with turtle care at MATES throughout her three year to date. She is also involved in outreach programs and our summer care program where she cared for "Georgie" the terrapin. Miranda brings a lot of care experience and leadership experience to our Care Division.

Kira Kownacki '25

Care Leader

Kira has been a part of our care program and Project Terrapin the past three years. Kira was our care feeding coordinator last year and is involved in numerous other aspects of Project Terrapin and MATES overall.

Kallie Kawka '25

Care Leader

Kallie has been an active part of the Project Terrapin Care program for the past three years. She brings a lot of experience to the care program and is involved in other aspects of Project Terrapin.

Ryanna Kennedy '25

Care Leader

Ryanna has been an active member of Project Terrapin Care for the past three years. Her dedicated and commitment earned her a leadership position. Ryanna has been involved in other aspects of MATES and Project Terrapin.

Julia Reid '26

Care Feeding/Supply Coordinator

Julia is in her third year at MATES and has coordinated the care for our large terrapin basin. She has also provided summer care for "Sprinkles" and will be coordinating food preparation and necessary supplies for the care of our captive turtles.

Joe Cartnick '25

Care Leader

Joe has been a passionate care leader with Project Terrapin. He is taking on the role of Care Protocol Coordinator that will ensure our care program is clean and efficient. Joe can also be heard three days per week as part of our senior morning announcement team

Emma Keklak '27

Assistant Care Feeding Coordinator

Emma is in her second year at MATES and has been an instrumental member in care in her first year at MATES. She will be assisting with the care and diet plan for our turtles throughout the school. She is also a student researcher at MATES.

Avery Larew '25

Care Quarantine Coordinator

Avery is in her fourth year working with Project Terrapin and has been involved in hatchling care. She is also conducting a hatchling growth project as part of senior research studying the effect of UV-B on terrapin growth. Avery is involved in many aspects of MATES.

Hatchling Division

Matthew Thomas '25

Overall Hatchling Coordinator

Matthew coordinated hatchling care throughout his years as a leader working with our hatchling and yearling terrapin volunteers. Matthew is organized and is a dedicated leader for our growing hatchlings program that will be responsible for over 60 hatchlings at MATES. He is a student researcher at MATES.

Reagan Shaw '25

Hatchling Care Leader

Reagan has been involved in Project Terrapin the past three years serving in hatchling care and working with our head start hatchlings. Reagan has dedicated much time to the program and will be in her second year as a leader. She is involved in many areas of the MATES Community.

Micaela Marrinhas '26

Hatchling Leader

Micaela has been involved in Project Terrapin the past two years and served as a hatchling care leader her sophomore year. Micaela is a consistent care provider who will help us to develop a more comprehensive care program this year. She is also involved in student research.

Chloe Wnek '26

Head Start School Leader

Chloe has been involved in Project Terrapin since being at MATES assisting with hatchling care and volunteering in all aspects of Project Terrapin including conservation and events. She is also involved in student research and coordinates our school hatchling ambassador program.

Jayden Garofalo '26

Hatchling Care Assistant

Jayden has been involved in Project Terrapin hatchling care the past two years. He will be working with expanding our hatchling head start program and providing the best possible care for our diamondback terrapins at MATES.

Kaitlyn Weitzell-Sanchez '27

Hatchling Care Assistant

Kaitlyn has been active in Project Terrapin working with our hatchlings in her first year at MATES. She will continue to help improve our hatchling head start program. Kaitlyn also assisted with our Terrapin Tuesday series on Long Beach Island this past summer.

Arushi Sood '27

Hatchling Head Start Assistant

Arushi has been active in Project Terrapin since she entered MATES last year. She served as a summer research intern working with terrapins at Cedar Run as part of our mark-recapture team. Arushi is a student researcher who will help coordinate or school ambassador program.

Events Division

Cleatus Oakes '25

Events Coordinator

Cleatus is in his senior year and has been active in Project Terrapin Events and Outreach. He was instrumental in our Terrapin Tuesday Program with the Long Beach Township Marine Field Station. Cleatus will coordinate events and getting MATES involved in spreading terrapin awareness.

Zach Ciappa '26

Events Leader

Zach has been an active member of Project Terrapin the past two years. He has participated in numerous activities Zach is a student researcher who will carry out our message about terrapin conservation and awareness.

Isabella Morgan '26

Events Leader

Isabella is in her third year with Project Terrapin and has volunteered at numerous events. Isabella conducts independent research and is active in numerous school activities, including the MATES Envirothon Team.

Conservation Division

Aarya Sood '25

Conservation Coordinator

Aarya has been active in Project Terrapin throughout her time at MATES. She was a Project Terrapin Summer Intern, assisting with Mark and Recapture research at Cedar Run. Aarya is conducting independent research focusing on the optimal growth of diamondback terrapin hatchlings under UVB light conditions. She is a member of the MATES Envirothon Team.

Briana Ecke '26

Conservation Leader

Briana is a junior at MATES who has been active in all aspects of Project Terrapin. Briana served as a Project Terrapin summer intern, assisting with terrapin research at Cedar Run. Briana is also involved in student research and has been dedicated to the school.

Lily Nadler '26

Conservation Leader

Lily has been an active part of Project Terrapin throughout her time at MATES. She has volunteered at numerous events. This past summer, Lily was a Summer Intern working on our Cedar Run terrapin project. Lily is a student researcher who is active in all aspects of MATES.

Rhea Dudhwala '27

Assistant Conservation Leader

Rhea has been an active Project Terrapin Conservation branch member since her first year at MATES. She is also involved in student government and is a student researcher studying how magnetism affects terrapin hatchling movement. Rhea was a Project Terrapin Summer Intern this past year.

Isabel Kopsaftis '27

Assistant Conservation Leader

Isabel (Izzy) is a Sophomore at MATES who has been active in all aspects of Project Terrapin. Izzy served as a Project Terrapin summer intern, assisting with terrapin research at Cedar Run. She is researching the UV aspects of terrapin visual appearance.