There's something fishy going on at Woodlawn Beach Middle School
BY SCOTT PAGE Gulf Breeze News scott@gulfbreezenews.com

Scott Page/Gulf Breeze News WBMS students (from left) Darcy Shaeffer, Courtney Gibson and Ashley Perez are trying their luck at fishing.

For the third year in a row, Woodlawn Beach Middle School (WBMS) seventh-graders took a fishing and boating field trip to Shoreline Park. Over the course of three days (March 26-28) all 350 seventh-graders had the opportunity to enjoy a day outside, learn the basics about fishing and boating and also the impact that those activities have on the local marine ecosystem.

Pete Della Ratta, WBMS Physical Education Department Chair, organized the program three years ago through a physical education grant program provided by the Future Fisherman Foundation.

"We want to peak their [students'] curiosity of how much fun you can have fishing, and what actually goes on in the water, such as water quality and marine life," said Della Ratta.

The gazebos at Shoreline Park were transformed into temporary learning stations where the students discovered the basics of knot tying, boating and fishing rules, water quality, the importance of sea grass and the diversity of marine life. Not to mention the pier, which was lined down both sides with young fishermen and women anticipating the elusive bite.

The students were divided into small groups of approximately 10 and given fish names such as pompano, triggerfish, cobia and flounder to mention a few. Students spent 20-30 minutes at each station, rotating on Coach 'D's, as the students call him, whistle.

"My favorite station was the backyard bass, where we cast at the plastic fish to improve accuracy," said Will Kiernan, a WBMS student.

The field trip was concluded with a raffle where students won prizes such as caps, tackle boxes, t-shirts and key chains.

Coach Latoyna Moyer said, "We want them to be wellrounded individuals. Many students aren't involved in P.E. because they're not interested in football or basketball, but they may be interested in other activities. This [fishing] is something they can enjoy for the rest of their lives."

The field trip was free of charge to the students thanks to grants from Target and Fish Florida that helped purchase about $30,000 worth of rods, reels and other equipment.

Some of the students are already involved in outdoors activities, but it is the ones that aren't that inspired Della Ratta to start this initiative.

"I grew up fishing a lot as a kid," Della Ratta said. "If I can instill an interest in an outdoor leisure activity, something that they can do for the rest of their lives, then it's worth the effort.

"I would like to see more kids outside, being active. As long as I'm teaching, I'll continue to do this field trip."