Meet the 2007 Summer Interns

Matthew Maples

It is now 51 more days (at the time of this writing - 3/20) until my ASTA internship starts. Ugh! I mean Argh! Seems so far away. My imagination holds that this internship will be a time for challenges, satisfying success, and newfound friendships. An exploration of character, opportunities and the sea-lanes. It is an introduction into a new world. A world that begs a reminding thought to the age of sail. Antiqued in flavor, but perhaps very relevant to the contemporary world. I shall have to find out. With such prospects can I be blamed for being possessed by perpetual anxiety?

Perhaps. Ever since I was a child I have had a natural connection with tall ships. At age five I watched over and over again the 1930’s black- and-white version of Treasure Island. The ships were always my favorite. I have spent most of my life living in Illinois, but I have loved every opportunity that brought me to the ocean. Nothing quite excites me like having the opportunity to get involved with the real tall ships that I have long dreamed about. Sure beats the living-room couch-ships of my childhood and the jury-rigged pontoon boat I have spent many a summer day on.

I am about to graduate college at age 22. This internship is undoubtedly the most exciting opportunity I could ask for. I definitely danced a ridiculous jig upon hearing that I was accepted as an intern. I am an aspiring photojournalist and I anticipate doing photography and writing on the side in addition to internship duties. I learned while studying abroad in Wales that photojournalism was my aspiration. This internship offers a unique photojournalistic opportunity. An event as exciting as the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® series begs to be photographed and written about! I hope also to be involved with the logistics of making this ambitious event a reality. There are many practical skills to learn and build upon. Knowing that I had a part in making such an ambitious and exciting tall ships event can only be rewarding. I hope that the friendships I make through the fulfillment of such challenges will be long lasting and open doors to more involvement in the tall ship community.

More than anything else, I look forward to the experience. I anticipate the opportunity to contribute to a challenge and the rewards it would bring. I look forward to getting involved with the tall ship community. Above all, I look forward to the experience of the tall ships themselves. I want to experience everything about life on a tall ship.

Everything except bread weevils and flogging!

Heather Flanagan

I'm Heather. I'm 18 years old and a current student at the University of Rhode Island. Just like the URI school song goes "I'm Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred and when I die I'll be Rhode Island dead..." Although I love my home state, I enjoy traveling and meeting new people. I am studying history and education which is why I love the idea of sail training. Last summer I was an intern sailing on the Continental Sloop Providence. As seasick as I was, I was bitten by the sailing bug (its not an actual bug) and fell in love. When I was put back on land for school, I missed my ship family, I was wicked sad and couldn't wait for the 2007 season to begin, I'm getting so excited right now just thinking about May 11th. I look forward to meeting everyone I'll be working with, we'll have so much fun; I love new friends!