10 Student Stories to Celebrate 10 Years: Caitlin Roberts

August 18, 2021

In celebration of 10 years of Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest, we are showcasing some of the young artists who have helped turn this competition into a global community of creators and changemakers working on behalf of our blue planet.

Growing up in both Southern California and Alaska gave Caitlin Roberts a great love of the ocean. It was rivaled only by her love of dance, which has led her to work as a performer, teacher, and choreographer. The idea to combine these passions, using movement and video to portray the struggles and triumphs of ocean conservation, came to her after participating in Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest. A multi-year participant, Caitlin has won Honorable Mention, Bronze, and Silver Awards for her work. In addition to her Contest entries, she has shared her passion for dance and the ocean in many ways, including by participating in the World Ocean Day Youth-a-thon and being interviewed by The Sirene Project.

Why did you first participate in the Ocean Awareness Contest, and why did you continue to participate?

I first participated in the Contest in 2017 when I was a freshman in high school. The Ocean Awareness Contest gave me the motivation to learn more about the ocean, as well as explore my own creativity. Each year, my knowledge and love of the ocean expands, and this in turn helps inspire new ideas in my writing, dancing, and filmmaking.

Caitlin’s “Steward Coal Pollution” from the 2017 Ocean Awareness Contest

How long have you been writing, dancing, and filmmaking? When did you first become interested in the arts?

My introduction to the arts came at a young age, since both my mom and grandma worked as professional dancers. I began dancing at the age of three and never stopped. However, I did not discover my passion for writing and filmmaking until I was older. As a young teen I struggled with chronic illness, and my ability to dance consistently was inhibited. I was searching for new creative outlets, and when I found them, writing and filmmaking became a permanent part of my life.

When did you first become interested in protecting the ocean and environment? Is there a special place, species, or person that inspires your work?

Alaska & California have been my two homes growing up, and living near the ocean allowed my interest in all things related to the sea to flourish. One specific place that nourished my interest into a captivating curiosity was the Alaska Sealife Center. Their work in protecting marine life in Alaska and educating generations on the importance of the ocean in our lives is incredibly inspiring to me.

Caitlin’s “Restoration: One Coast-One Solution” from the 2019 Ocean Awareness Contest

How did participating in the Ocean Awareness Contest affect your attitudes toward our ocean? Towards using art as a tool for advocacy?

My admiration and love for the ocean has remained unchanged, unlike the tides, but the Ocean Awareness Contest has had a monumental effect on how I use art. Before, I never thought dance could be used to enact change, even though it is filled with emotion and passion. The Contest helped me to realize you can use any talent to inspire, encourage, and educate others, as long as you are willing to dig deep into your courage.

Caitlin’s “An Ocean of Ice” from the 2018 Ocean Awareness Contest

Did you consider yourself to be an activist before participating in the Ocean Awareness Contest? Do you consider yourself to be one now?

I definitely did not consider myself an activist growing up, and now, I label myself as a developing activist. There is always more that I could be doing to help spread awareness for the ocean (or other important issues), so I don’t know if the day will ever come when I consider myself a true activist. But I know that as long as I keep working towards change, I can feel proud of my actions and of what I’m doing to help.

Caitlin’s “Hope is Like the Waves” from the 2020 Ocean Awareness Contest

What would you like to say to today’s world leaders?

Think of tomorrow as well as today. Climate change and the struggles faced by the ocean might not seem like the most pertinent issues right now, but one day they will be. When that day comes, it will be too late to fix them. Many people say we should live in the present, but as a leader you are burdened with the future. Help lead us to a brighter one by working to save our oceans immediately!

Are you working on any creative projects right now?

Currently, I am writing a YA Fantasy Novel that takes place entirely on the sea, and includes subtle hints of ocean conservation. I hope one day it develops further than my laptop screen, and it can help others to fall in love with the ocean as much as I have!