Fish Club brings marine science to Riverside

Grace Farley wanted her marine biology students to interact with real organisms rather than pictures, so she decided to start the Fish Club.

Farley has taught at Riverside for four years. She is currently teaching biology and marine science. Her interest in marine life began in third grade.

“I have always been interested in marine life,” she said. “I started off being interested in dolphins but quickly expanded my interest into more unusual creatures, like my current favorite, sea slugs.”

She started the Fish Club at the beginning of the semester using a $200 grant that each teacher got from MacKenzie Scott and other grants from the school.

Getting an aquarium was a goal of Farley’s marine bio class so they decided to start the club.
“Originally, Fish Club was just going to be a project for the marine science class, but in the end it became a club because we ran out of time,” said senior Sophia Overholt.

The club is considering going to the eno river, having fundraisers where people can pay to name the critters in the aquarium and having a day where they go to the Wilmington aquarium.
 “We’re still a young club finding our feet, but we’re really excited to shape the club into something that everyone is excited about,” Farley said.

It was originally called the Aquarium Club. Eventually the name was changed to the Marine Science Club. They now call it the Fish Club even though they know that they might not get any fish. They are planning to mainly get invertebrates instead of vertebrates because invertebrates are easier to maintain.
“I was one of the biggest advocates for naming it Fish Club because it was originally [named] Aquarium Club and then we voted on the new name, so now it’s Fish Club,” said freshman Isa Arrwood. “[I am] hoping to keep fish alive.”

 There are usually 15-20 students in attendance, but the club grows every week.
 “[I want to] make some sort of difference through helping an animal,” said freshman Ollie Ambrusfield.
Fish club meets during B lunch every Tuesday at Ms. Farley’s room (224).
“Everyone should join, it’s really fun and it’s very involved, there’s a lot of variety in the people there,” said Overholt.