Woodlawn Beach Middle School students try their luck at Shoreline Park
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/ Gulf Breeze News Back Row From Left: Sydne Williams, Darren Reynolds, Pete Della Ratta Jr. Front Row From Left: Katie McCelland, Sara Townsend, Barry Jordan, Kaycee Billane.

Thanks to a N a t i o n a l Fishing and B o a t i n g Education Grant, almost 300 Woodlawn Beach Middle School (WBMS) students were able to go fishing at Shoreline Park South last week, according to teacher Pete Della Ratta. WBMS is one of 35 schools in the United States that was awarded the 2005-2006 National Fishing and Boating Education Grant, a grant issued to schools that demonstrated a strong combination of positive exposure and in-depth, comprehensive program design and curriculum layout.

"The students anticipated this trip for the whole year and it did not let them down one bit," Della Ratta says. "The give-a-way prizes to students were a huge attraction on top of the field trip as well. Some students caught a few fish with the biggest fish going to Justin Henry who caught a Spanish Mackerel measuring slightly over 17 inches. Our program is catch and release so we threw him back to swim another day. The students are currently writing what they liked and learned about boating, fishing and the field trip to Shoreline for a writing grade."

In addition to fishing, the students tested the sound water for salinity, dissolved oxygen, coliform and several other factors that affect the ecosystem to determine what occurs naturally and what pollutants have arrived in the waters. Scientific test kits were provided by funding from Pensacola Recreational Fishing Association (PRFA).

"This rare opportunity provides kids information on how to get started, distinguishing different species, tackle and rigging, practicing techniques and strategies, while creating lifelong interest in healthy leisure lifestyles," Della Ratta said.

Seventh grade classes incorporate the fishing and boating curricula according to the respective subject such as learning conservation and ecology in Science. The grant, submitted by first year teacher Pete Della Ratta, was sponsored by The Future Fisherman Foundation in partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, The American Association for Leisure and Recreation, and The National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

"Overall, the field trip was a tremendous success with credit going to the DEP for their hard word and time, the parent volunteers, and the Teachers for helping out during the trip," says Della Ratta. "And it was fun!"