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Sultana
Crew:
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007
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2010
Spring/Summer Crew |
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Tanya Banks-Christensen
- Captain: A
native of Philadelphia, and a cum-laude graduate of Alfred College,
Tanya Banks-Christensen served as SULTANA’S First Mate in
2004 and Alternate Captain in 2008 before taking command for the 2009
season. Tanya has an impressive sailing resume that includes previous
service as the Executive Captain of the schooner
Quinnipiack out
of New Haven, Connecticut. Tanya has also served as Mate on several
traditional sailing vessels including the schooners PROVIDENCE,
A.J. MEERWALD, WESTWARD and SPIRIT OF
MASSACHUSETTS. Tanya holds a United States Coast Guard 200 Ton
Near Coastal Master’s License. |
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David Goldman - "Chief Mate":
David Goldman comes to Sultana with a varied background in
sailing having served as Third Mate aboard the schooners Spirit of
Massachusetts and Lettie G. Howard. With sailing
experience that spans the western Atlantic from Gloucester,
Massachusetts to Costa Rica, and includes time on all five of
the great lakes, Goldman brings an impressive resume to
Sultana. David holds a 100 ton Near Coastal Masters License. |
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Kirstin L. Schoeninger – Education Director:
A Magna Cum Laude graduate of La Salle University with a degree
in Communications, Kirstin Schoeninger brings a strong
background in education to her new role on Sultana. Schoeninger
has previously worked with the Philadelphia Phantoms,
Work for Progress, and comes to us most recently from
Echo Hill Outdoor School, where she was a teacher and staff
naturalist. Ice hockey and rugby have been among Kirstin’s
outdoor activities as both player and coach. |
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Leona Dalton-
Deckhand/Educator:
A graduate of Washington College with a B.A. in
Anthropology and a M.A. in History, 2009 will be Leona Dalton’s second
year as Education Director on the schooner Sultana. An experienced
rower, Leona was a four years member of the Women’s Varsity crew team
and later an Assistant Women’s Rowing Coach at Washington College.
In the summer of 2007, Leona spent 121 rowing and sailing1,500+ miles as
part of Sultana Projects’
Captain
John Smith Four Hundred Project – a reenactment of John Smith’s 1608
Chesapeake expedition. |
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Shannon Bridget
Reilley – Deckhand/Educator:
Shannon Reilley hails from Bristol, Vermont, and holds a BA in Liberal
Arts from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Shannon’s
interest in marine biology and sailing highlight her previous work
experience. Reilly has worked as an Aquarist at Lahinch Seaworld in
Ireland - where she was the caretaker of axolotls (neotenic salamanders)
– and as a deckhand aboard the state ship of Delaware, Kalmar Nyckel.
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Jonas Caleb Burns
– Deckhand/Educator: An
outdoorsman with varied interests, Jonas Caleb Burns holds a BS in
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State
University where he graduated first out of 6674 students. Burns has
volunteered with Helping Hands, North Carolina Senior Games,
and as peer tutor in Chemistry and Mathematics. Jonas’ hobbies include
sailing, cycling/mountain and road, kayaking/canoeing, running,
triathlons, and tennis. |
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Morgan Diederichs-Cook/Deckhand/Educator:
Morgan comes to us from St. Cloud, Minnesota. A University of
Minnesota-Duluth May 2010 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in
History/French, Morgan has studied in England and Paris.
Many of Morgan's experiences provided her with a solid background
working with the public as Preservationist/ Housekeeper/Banquet
Server/Cook. Morgan founded the UMD French Club and served as its
vice president along with secretary in the History Club. |
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Barron McCranie Jones -
Deckhand/Educator: An Eagle
Scout and a Georgia State University Graduate with a Bachelor of
Business Administration in
Accounting, Barron studied in India with the International
Entrepreneurship Study Abroad Program. Barron spent two months living
and working on a 130-foot schooner, sailed around the Caribbean, and
studied ocean biology and Caribbean history and cultures. A youth
counselor and volunteer with homeless shelters, Barron has a strong
background working with youth.
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Jesse James
Hill – Deckhand/Educator:
Jesse hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has a BS from the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in Biology and Conservation and
Environmental Science (CES). With a strong interest in environmental
conservation and restoration, Jesse has crewed aboard the Denis
Sullivan, has an open water PADI certification, served as educator with
Pier Wisconsin at Discovery Word and the Urban Ecology Center, and
transited through the Great Lakes with school programs. Jesse’s
volunteering covers wildlife, invasive species control, animal care, and
research projects. |
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2009 Sultana
Fall Crew |
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Tanya Banks-Christensen
- Captain: A
native of Philadelphia, and a cum-laude graduate of Alfred College,
Tanya Banks-Christensen served as SULTANA’S First Mate in
2004 and Alternate Captain in 2008 before taking command for the 2009
season. Tanya has an impressive sailing resume that includes previous
service as the Executive Captain of the schooner
Quinnipiack out
of New Haven, Connecticut. Tanya has also served as Mate on several
traditional sailing vessels including the schooners PROVIDENCE,
A.J. MEERWALD, WESTWARD and SPIRIT OF
MASSACHUSETTS. Tanya holds a United States Coast Guard 200 Ton
Near Coastal Master’s License. |
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Leona Dalton- Education Director:
A graduate of Washington College with a B.A. in
Anthropology and a M.A. in History, 2009 will be Leona Dalton’s second
year as Education Director on the schooner Sultana. An experienced
rower, Leona was a four years member of the Women’s Varsity crew team
and later an Assistant Women’s Rowing Coach at Washington College.
In the summer of 2007, Leona spent 121 rowing and sailing1,500+ miles as
part of Sultana Projects’
Captain
John Smith Four Hundred Project – a reenactment of John Smith’s 1608
Chesapeake expedition. |
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Karol Breuer – Chief Mate:
Karol is a graduate of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey with a
B.S. in Environmental Studies. As Chief Mate on the Schooner A.J.
Meerwald prior to coming to Sultana, Karol is experienced in daily
shipboard life and work. She holds a 100 ton Inland Masters License, has
sailed across the Atlantic Ocean/Mediterranean Sea as mate for a yacht
delivery service, and is an avid surfer for over 10 years. |
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Erin Katherine McIntosh –
Deckhand/Educator: Erin’s
people-oriented background covers sales associate in Denver, CO to
Public Television in New York. She has a B.A. in Media Study and
Communication from the University at Buffalo, education at the
University of North London and University of Queensland, Australia.
Erin’s volunteer background with youth organizations includes Higher
Ground Youth Challenge, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Americorps NCCC. |
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Daniel McKenzie – Deckhand/Educator:
Daniel joins the crew on Sultana after a stint as deckhand on the Spirit
of Massachusetts in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. A graduate of Warren Wilson
College with a B.S. in Psychology, Daniel has strong interpersonal
skills. In addition to academic accomplishments – Dean’s List, recipient
of the Warren Wilson Sutton Honor Scholarship - Daniel led his team as
Captain of the Warren Wilson Men’s Soccer team during his sophomore year
in school. |
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Scott Loranger – Deckhand/Educator:
A graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Biological Science with
concentration in Ecology and Evolution, Scott comes to us from
Arlington, VA. Scott served as a deckhand on the Schooner Nathaniel
Bowditch and also worked at the Shoals Marine Laboratory as an Intern.
Scott’s past activities include PADI Rescue Diver at Cayuga Lake in
2008. He enjoys hiking, camping, sailing and is an outdoorsman. |
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2009 Sultana
Spring/Fall Crew |
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Beth Borchers – Chief Mate:
Crewmember Beth Borchers is back for her second season on Sultana in
2009 – this time as the schooner’s Chief Mate. Beth is a summa cum laude
graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she
majored in Marine Biology and held a four-year GPA of 3.99 – not bad!
Borchers has a variety of maritime experience that includes stints with
the World Ocean School in St. Croix, USVI and Prince William Sound
Glacier Cruises out of Whitter Alaska. |
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Parks Marion – Deckhand/Educator:
Hailing from Blountville, Tennessee, Parks Marin is a graduate of
Gilford College in North Carolina, where he double-majored in Biology
and Music (with a 3.59 GPA we might add). Parks comes to Sultana from
the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater where he worked for two seasons, one
as a deckhand/educator and as the second as the Clearwater’s Bosun. |
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Alexia Witcombe-
Deckhand/Educator:
Alexia Witcombe
joins the crew of Sultana after previous stints on the schooner Virginia
and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Witcombe is a graduate of Boston
College where she double-majored in English and Environmental Science
and was named to the Dean’s List each of her four years at the school.
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Leanna Mulvihill – Cook/Deckhand(Summer 2009):
Leanna is the third member of Sultana’s 2009 crew that comes to us from
the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Currently a student at the State
University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry,
Leanna will join Sultana’s crew for the summer of 2009. |
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Brian Bytnar – Deckhand/Educator:
Brian Bytnar is
making a repeat appearance on Sultana for the 2009 summer season. A
2008 Sultana crew member and a former a Staff Naturalist at Echo Hill
Outdoor School, Brian is very familiar with Sultana and Maryland's
Eastern Shore. Brian is a 2006 graduate of Dickinson College where he
received his B.S. in Environmental Science. He is currently working on
his master's degree at Washington University. Brian's previous
experience includes working for the National Park Service on both the
Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail as well as working for
Marinetic, an organization running an oyster farm in the
Choptank River.
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2008 Sultana
Crew |
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Captain Robert M.
Brittain -
Widely regarded as one of the most personable and competent captains on
the Chesapeake Bay, Robert M. Brittain has been the heart and soul of
the schooner Sultana since assuming command in April 2004. Captain
Brittain has decades of experience sailing traditional vessels and more
than fifteen years of sea time on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A
native of England, Brittain first learned to sail in small dinghies on
England's Blackwater River. After attending Nottingham University where
he was a member of the University's sailing team, Brittain moved to the
United States in 1980 and has subsequently served as captain on numerous
traditional sailing vessels including the schooners Lady Maryland,
Woodwind and Woodwind II as well as the skipjack Martha Lewis. Earlier
in his career Captain Brittain sailed as crew on both the original Pride
of Baltimore and on the maiden voyage of the Pride of Baltimore, II.
Captain Brittain lives in Chestertown with his wife Cindy whom he met
when they both served as crew onboard the Pride of Baltimore |
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Tanya Banks-Christensen
- Alternate Captain / First Mate: Sultana Projects is
pleased to have Tanya Banks-Christensen returning to Sultana as
Alternate Captain and First Mate for the 2008 season. Tanya previously
sailed on
Sultana in 2004 and has since served as Captain on the Connecticut-based
schooner Quinnipack. Tanya received her start in the maritime industry
while attending Alfred College when she sailed aboard the schooner
Westward and later spent two years aboard the sloop Providence. Tanya
has worked as an assistant carpenter, wood working studio monitor and as
an Americorps volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She is a certified
Wilderness First Responder, holds a 200-ton near-coastal license.
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Leona Dalton- Education Director:
A graduate of Washington College, where she earned a B.A. in
Anthropology and a M.A. in History, Leona brings many years of on the
water experience to her new job as Education Director onboard the
Schooner Sultana. An experienced rower, Leona was a four years member
of the Women’s Varsity crew team and later an Assistant Women’s Rowing
Coach at Washington College. Most recently, Leona spent five months
rowing Sultana Projects’ 18th century replica shallop around
the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Captain John Smith 400 Project. She
is looking forward to leading the stellar educational programs onboard
Sultana this year. |
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Adam Prokosch- Educator/Deckhand:
Adam comes to Sultana Projects from Washington State where he most
recently worked as part of the crew onboard the Lady Washington.
Adam recently graduated from Evergreen State College in Olympia,
Washington where he designed his own Emphasis on Leadership major which
allowed him to study both science and history. When he’s not working,
Adam can be found on the West Coast living and traveling in his green
Volkswagen bus. He also enjoys camping, hiking, mountain climbing, and
has built the occasional igloo. He is very excited to be joining this
year’s crew onboard the Sultana. |
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Edna Ogola- Cook/Deckhand:
A Biology and Psychology major at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa,
Edna will spend her summer educating children about the history and
ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Edna will be indispensable onboard
Sultana as she will also be the ship’s cook! Originally from Kenya,
Edna has traveled extensively throughout that country. She spent one
year of high school in Arlington, Texas before heading to Cornell
College where she is currently a sprinter on the Women’s Track and Field
team. When not studying or practicing, Edna likes to read and to cook. |
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Brian Bytnar- Educator/Deckhand:
Brian is familiar with Kent County after working as a Staff Naturalist
at Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton for their 2007 season. He is a
2006 graduate of Dickinson College where he received his B.S. in
Environmental Science. Since then, Brian has been actively involved in
working with the environment. His previous experience includes working
for the National Park Service on both the Blue Ridge Parkway and
Appalachian Trail as well as working for Marinetic, an organization
running an oyster farm in the Choptank River. When not working, Brian
enjoys playing the guitar, hiking, biking and being near the water. |
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Deborah Rowan- Educator/Deckhand:
Deborah has spent nearly 2 decades working on tall ships around the
world. She has previously sailed on the ships Malcolm Miller and
Sir Winston Churchill in England as well as the original Pride
of Baltimore, Lady Maryland, Mildred Belle, and
Schooner Woodwind here in the States. Deborah has a B.A. in
Music from Bucknell University as well as a M.S. in Sustainable
Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland,
College Park. A licensed acupuncturist, Deborah will be able to calm
the crew after a weary day at sea. She also enjoys photography, music,
and botany. |
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2007 Sultana
Crew |
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Captain Robert M.
Brittain -
Widely regarded as one of the most personable and competent captains on
the Chesapeake Bay, Robert M. Brittain has been the heart and soul of
the schooner Sultana since assuming command in April 2004. Captain
Brittain has decades of experience sailing traditional vessels and more
than fifteen years of sea time on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A
native of England, Brittain first learned to sail in small dinghies on
England's Blackwater River. After attending Nottingham University where
he was a member of the University's sailing team, Brittain moved to the
United States in 1980 and has subsequently served as captain on numerous
traditional sailing vessels including the schooners Lady Maryland,
Woodwind and Woodwind II as well as the skipjack Martha Lewis. Earlier
in his career Captain Brittain sailed as crew on both the original Pride
of Baltimore and on the maiden voyage of the Pride of Baltimore, II.
Captain Brittain lives in Chestertown with his wife Cindy whom he met
when they both served as crew onboard the Pride of Baltimore |
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Carrington Ritchie
– Chief Mate: A recently licensed USCG Captain,
Carrington hails from Charleston, South Carolina and finds the tiny port
of Chestertown has many things in common with his seafaring city.
Carrington has loved boats all his life and says sailing brings out the
best in him. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2002
with a BS in Psychology, Carrington has pursued his love of sailing
aboard Charleston's schooner Pride. He plays the bass and guitar, enjoys
Yoga, camping, hiking and fishing. This is Carrington’s second season
on Sultana. |
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Taylor Hartey
– Education Director: With a BS in Anthropology and a
minor in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island, Taylor
serves as Education Director aboard Sultana and is responsible for
overseeing all onboard educational programs.. Taylor loves working with
children and has coached kids from 5 to 17 at camps and after-school
programs. A Division One Varsity athlete in soccer and tennis at Rhode
Island, Taylor interned at the marine Biological Laboratory in Woods
Hole, Massachusetts and plans to become a marine archaeologist. Taylor
is also a certified in SCUBA and likes to go surfing. This is Taylor’s
second season aboard Sultana. |
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Patrick Kelaher
- Deckhand Educator: Patrick comes to us from West Haven
Connecticut where he learned to love the water, sailing and all things
marine. A graduate of The Sound School in West Haven, Patrick crewed on
the schooner Quinnipiac there. Patrick has also previously worked on the
schooners Clipper City and Virginia. This is Patrick’s second season on
Sultana. |
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Katherine Sullivan
- Cook/Deckhand Educator: A political science major at
Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Katherine will spend her summer
teaching children about history and the environment of the Chesapeake
and is indispensable as our ship's cook. Katherine is a Texan and has
many talents from writing to sailing to academic research. Katherine has
a keen sense of social concern and commitment and has volunteered for a
number of non-profits. This is Katherine’s second season on Sultana. |
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Will Young
– Deckhand Educator:
Sailing comes naturally to
this Vermont native. He has crewed as a volunteer or student on the
Kalmar Nyckel, the Westward and the Spirit of Massachusetts. He as also
trained as a blacksmith and carpenter. Will plays piano and violin and
enjoys logging, landscaping and wood carving. This is Will’s first
season aboard Sultana.
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Liz Houser -
Education Director: Liz is back for her
second stint as a crew member on Sultana, this time as Education
Director. A graduate of Salisbury University with a degree in Biology,
Liz is a full time resident of Chestertown and has previously worked at
Echo Hill Outdoor School. Liz is an experienced world traveler who
has spent extensive time in India, Thailand and Burma and is planning
future adventures in Argentina and Europe. |
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Devin Wootton -
Educator/Deckhand: Devin is a native of
Kent County who
learned to sail on the Chester and Sassafras rivers and enjoys sharing
his love of the water with the kids who come on the Sultana. With a
degree in English from James Madison University in Harrisonburg,
Virginia he is working toward being a high school teacher in the future. |
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Scott Harboor
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Educator/Deckhand: Scott arrived in Chestertown in the fall of 2007
after completing a 3,000 mile, cross-country bike trip starting in
Washington State. Scott started sailing with the 4-H at age nine and is
amazed by the shallow water of the Chesapeaeke after getting his sea
legs on the waters of Puget Sound. An environmental studies major at
Pacific Lutheran University, Scott sees the need for preservation and
good stewardship on both coasts. |
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