Early School Dismissal Results in a Special Visit to North Carolina Aquarium for Student

By C.P. "Buster" Nunemaker, III

Manteo, NC - When Dare County Schools dismissed early on Feb. 3, many children went home to watch television, play video games, visit with friends and some even studied homework. Symone Marquand, a seventh grade student at First Flight Middle School, got to visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and watched Lauran Jozik and Katie Dicioccio, aquarists at the Aquarium, feed the sharks and other fishes in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Symone paid close attention as a 350 lb. female sand tiger shark was target fed by Lauran. Katie made sure the other fishes received their share of the afternoon feeding that created a frenzy on the surface of the exhibit.

“The cobia (Rachycentron canadum) would come to the surface of the exhibit and splash water high into the air as they competed for the food being broadcast. They are really big and fast. I liked the cobia,” said Symone.

Pictured are (left to right) Kristin Clark, aquarists, and Symone as she learns about horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in the Aquarium quarantine area. Symone also saw turtles that were brought in for rehabilitation by the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (NEST) and helped feed many of the invertebrates found in the Aquariums touch tanks.

If you would like to participate in one of our many fee programs offered at the Aquarium, Snack with the Sharks, Breakfast with the Rays, Behind the Scenes Tour, Gyotuka (Fish Printing); Seafood Series and Aqua Tales for Tots, call 252-473-3494 ext. 232 or visit www.ncaquariums.com for more information.

To view North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2025-North_Carolina_Aquarium_on_Roanoke_Island