My August Reflection

Welcome to the very first edition of my monthly newsletter

I wanted to create a space to slow down at the end of each month to reflect on what happened, moments of gratitude, and most importantly, what I have been learning along the way.

For me, August has always been a month of new alignments and beginnings. There is something about entering a new school year or stepping into a season of unknowns that makes me feel especially spiritually close to God.

I started the month headfirst, coming home from a conference in Utah with so much passion and newfound hope. I had made incredible connections, met people deeply passionate about their research, and learned new things I could bring back to my own work. I came home inspired and poured nearly all my energy into my work, determined to do everything I could to graduate that month.

After my trip, August hit me with a big reality check, and it slowly evolved into a tough season.

A lot of the data that I needed didn't come together until much later than I had hoped, and after struggling to get everything done, my graduation was pushed to fall.

I was filled with disappointment in myself, my thesis work, and where I stood in my career, and I ultimately felt like I was not reaching the goals I had set on my timeline.

There is a lot of sacrifice that comes with being so deeply invested in one goal for so long. Two years of my life have revolved around this study, and I am proud of the work I have done, but with this work comes increasing pressure, and it can be difficult to show up for other people, other aspects of your life, and sometimes even for yourself.

You start to see your value only through the success of the project or the thesis. When you start to spiral over the setbacks or perceived failures of a project, it can start to change the way you see yourself in other areas of your life. You lose confidence. You start questioning whether you are doing enough and whether you can reach the goals you've set for yourself. I realized that the pressure I was putting on myself academically was starting to affect how I showed up outside of my work.

But through it all, my faith in God’s plan over mine, became stronger, and I was reminded again of WHY I am doing this. Eco-Girl is my why.

Eco-Girl reflects my love for sustainability and my passion for clean water, but also something that isn’t dependent on career or academic success. I wanted to showcase my science while also showing what it looks like to live a life dedicated to caring for our environment and our communities, outside of an academic project. 

Eco Girl was never meant to be just a career path or a resume. It was meant to represent a lifestyle, a way of taking the things I care about and allowing them to become part of how I live and how to share that love and passion with others.

That's why THIS August was so impactful to me. It sparked my passion behind Eco Girl. My identity is more than a deadline or a timeline for when my thesis should be completed or whether my academic goals are met. My identity is rooted in everything outside of, my dream of being a scientist, an environmental advocate, a woman of faith (yes, faith and science do mix) a friend, a community member, and all the other pieces that make me who I am.

This platform has taught me that all the parts of my life are not distractions or a measurement of success. Our dreams require sacrifice, but our lives are so much bigger and fuller that that one goal we are chasing.

Maybe that is what I needed to learn most from August: a delayed finish line is not a failed journey. There were so many other life-giving experiences happening along the way that I never want to overlook simply because I didn't reach the finish line when I originally planned to. There were opportunities, people, experiences, lessons, and so many moments to be grateful for.

Salt & Light

One of the biggest highlights was the release of the very first episode of the Salt & Light Podcast!

After squeezing in recording time in July, we finally released our first episode. I am so excited to share different parts of my life, experiences, and conversations in hopes of encouraging people to pursue their dreams fearlessly and relentlessly.

Even more special is getting to do this alongside someone who shares the same drive and mission, to remind women that they can pursue their wildest dreams and, even more importantly, live out the God-given purpose placed on their lives.

Salt & Light is built on the foundation that we are called to be salt in our communities and light to those around us, while raising awareness of important issues affecting our health, our environment, and our communities.

That mission has continued to come alive through the opportunities I have had to learn from and serve my community this year.

A Crown Is a Responsibility

This month, I had the opportunity to participate in Back to School PBC! at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Back to School PBC! is a countywide initiative that helps provide school supplies and other resources to Palm Beach County students before the start of the school year. This year's event aimed to support more than 13,000 students from low-income families across the county. I spent the day handing out back-to-school supplies, playing games, and talking with some incredible kids before they headed back to school.

One little girl asked me, “How do I become a princess?”

That question hit me in my chest.

It made me realize the power that comes with wearing a crown. She saw a princess. But I wanted her to know that being a princess has nothing to do with a crown.

I told her that a princess is someone who treats herself and everyone else with kindness. She educates herself. She works hard. She takes care of herself, her community, and the environment around her.

Being able to talk with these beautiful girls is something I will never take for granted. When they see a crown, they automatically want to hug you. They look up to you.

That is a big responsibility, and I feel so honored to have it.

I want them to see the character behind the crown and to know that there is a princess in each one of them.

Bringing That Same Message to Adults

I realized that the same message applies when interacting with adults.

I had the absolute pleasure of judging the Marine Industries Association of South Florida's Big Fish Showcase, a member showcase highlighting companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators across South Florida's marine industry.

MIASF is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 500 members across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. The organization focuses on the growth of the marine industry while supporting local communities and the environment. It also works on initiatives ranging from marine workforce development and research to waterway cleanup and industry advocacy.

The Big Fish Showcase gave me the opportunity to meet people developing new ideas and creative solutions for the marine industry. I was so impressed and humbled to be surrounded by such talent, dedication, and creativity.

But one of my favorite parts was realizing I could engage in those conversations from a place of scientific knowledge. I could understand the products, ask follow-up questions, and genuinely contribute to the conversation.

People came up to me afterward and said, “Wow, you had such good questions.”

It brought me right back to that little girl's question about becoming a princess.

It is the same perspective, just through different eyes and a different perspective.

They see a girl wearing a crown first, and then they see a girl asking questions about the marine industry.

When you put on a crown, people immediately make assumptions about who you are.

I want to challenge those assumptions.

I want people to see that a woman with a crown can also be educated, curious, well-spoken, scientifically minded, and a good listener.

That is one of the ways I hope to change perceptions of pageantry, by simply showing up as myself.

And one of the most powerful ways to do that is through the media.

Science, Sustainability & Media

This month, I had the opportunity to shadow West Palm Beach TV and participate in a special segment about my wardrobe, appearances, and my love of thrifted and secondhand clothing.

I got to take the team through my closet and talk about building a more sustainable wardrobe. We discussed ways that our clothing choices can reduce microfiber pollution entering wastewater, and then we headed into the lab, where I was able to talk about the research I specifically study.

And, of course, we had to do a thrift trip to one of my favorite places, Hospice of Palm Beach County!

Being able to show people how I build a sustainable wardrobe and connect it to my scientific work was such a fun experience. It allowed me to show up as myself and showcase all the different parts of me, not just the crown and sash.

The segment will be released soon, so stay tuned!

Science & the Crown

I also had the opportunity to work with the FAU media team on a very special photoshoot.

From the beach to the laboratory to an evening gown under a lab coat, I got to visually tell a story that is very close to my heart: Using my crown, I am able to combine science with service and use my platform to bring greater attention to water quality research and the health of our waterways through education and local action.

I am dedicated to advancing water stewardship through education and local action.

I also want to continue bringing awareness to issues surrounding Sargassum, the brown seaweed washing up on our beaches, and the environmental and potential health concerns associated with it.

I am SO passionate about bridging the gap between scientific research and community engagement because research is only truly impactful when we communicate it to the people who are most affected by it.

Water Quality & The Conversations That Matter

I also had the opportunity to host my first podcast as an official podcast host for Save the Water, Inc., a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on researching harmful water contaminants, educating communities about water pollution and its health impacts, and developing practical solutions to protect water resources.

This opportunity was especially meaningful to me because water quality is such a huge part of both my scientific work and the reason I created Eco Girl. Save the Water's work includes educating communities about water pollution. The organization also has an ongoing Everglades Clean Drinking Water Initiative focused on water-quality research and monitoring in South Florida.

I got to speak with an expert in the field, Dr. West Bishop, a principal scientist at SePRO Corporation, who specializes in aquatic ecosystem management, invasive species control, and water infrastructure challenges. Dr. Bishop works closely with utilities, water managers, and public agencies on harmful algal blooms. We had a great discussion about the growing role of artificial intelligence in water-quality research and the implications of harmful algal blooms for human health.

Being able to ask questions from an expert in my field taught me so much about science and the path to getting there.  As someone who is currently navigating what comes next after being a student. I am really finding value in speaking with someone who’s already in the job and can share the unspoken challenges, the skills they’ve honed, and the moments that shaped their journey.

I am excited to continue planning and hosting conversations with water-quality experts through Save the Water in the coming year.

Media, when used effectively, is the best way to reach our communities, and it has allowed me to share my heart, shift perspectives, and grab the attention of the community when it matters most.

Looking Toward September

I am ecstatic about the opportunities September has already brought and excited to continue growing my presence in media, science communication, and community engagement.

There is so much more I want to learn, so many more people I want to meet, and so many conversations I want to help start.

If you have an opportunity, organization, collaboration, or connection that aligns with my mission of healthy waters, stronger futures, I would love to hear from you.

Eco Tip of the Month

As I plan to end each newsletter, here are a few simple eco-friendly things I found myself thinking about this month.

I have always said that sustainability isn't about being perfect. It is about incorporating small changes into our daily lives that can lead to bigger changes.

For example, I always remember my reusable grocery bags, but I realized I was still grabbing those little plastic produce bags without thinking twice.

I also started paying more attention to seasonal produce. There are environmental benefits to choosing in-season fruits and vegetables, and honestly… they usually taste better, too. Win-win!

And finally, I started noticing how many chargers I leave plugged in 24/7. It's such a small thing, but unplugging electronics when they're not being used can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Small reminders. No perfection required.

If you made it this far, thank you.

The fact that I get to write a newsletter and have people care enough to read it still feels a little surreal. Thank you for supporting me, my dreams, my science, and this crazy journey. Stay tuned for October

Love,

Paige