The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) awarded its 2018 NMRA Maritime Trades Scholarship of $2,500 to Kaila Kotkiewicz of Sayville, New York. Established in 2008, it’s given to an outstanding student pursuing education that will lead to a career in the marine industry. Robert Guerrieri of Atlantic Marketing Company made the presentation. A video is at bit.ly/2tQv61Y.
Kotkiewicz is a recent graduate of Sayville High School and plans to attend SUNY Maritime College this Fall. Her intended field of study is Maritime Operations and she also wants to earn a USCG Deck License. “I hope that I can be a role model for more women to enter this industry,” she said.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Kotkiewicz plans to pursue a career that will allow her to gain deck experience and learn to be a ship’s captain. She also intends to earn a master’s degree.
A well-rounded individual, Kotkiewicz is not only a great student and an accomplished trombone player, but was also a member of the varsity track and field team. She is a junior firefighter in the Sayville Fire Department and an Ambassador Level Girl Scout.
Kotkiewicz has also worked as a deckhand on the Sayville Ferry since 2016 and plans to continue during her college career. Her hard work, dedication and dependability recently earned her a promotion to the position of senior deckhand.
The 2018 scholarship is made possible by the generous support of NMRA rep groups and manufacturers, and an anonymous donor. Midwest Outdoor Marketing reached the Admiral level of giving, while GSW & Associates contributed to the Captain’s level. Advanced Pedestals, Ltd., ComMar Sales, dynaMACS, Gulf Atlantic Marketing, Haimes Coleman Group, Kelcom, Inc., WE Stewart Sales, West Coast Sales and William F. Miller & Associates backed the scholarship at the Ship’s Crew level.
