Red Lobster Announces Winners of National Ocean Sustainability Challenge
The Californer/10312959

ORLANDO, Fla., May 6, 2025 ~ Red Lobster, the world's largest seafood restaurant company, has announced the winners of their Ocean Sustainability Challenge. The challenge, open to middle school students across the country, asked participants to develop innovative solutions for protecting and preserving our oceans and waterways.

After receiving numerous submissions, a panel of leading ocean sustainability experts selected 20 finalists based on creativity, potential impact, use of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) skills, and feasibility. These finalists then moved on to the crowd-voting phase where the general public voted for their favorite submission. The final five teams were determined by a combination of crowd votes and scores from the panel of judges.

The Grand Prize-winning team consists of Sam Yuan (13), Sophie Kouklin (13), Viraj Kamath (14), and Ben Raphael (12) from University School of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI. Their winning submission was a sunscreen designed to protect coral reefs.

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Four Runner-Up teams were also selected by the judges. Fiona Clapp (11), Blake Yezak (13), Jourdan Rolfsen (12), Janey Spikes (13), and Sophia Neyens (12) from Bishop Louis Reicher School in Waco, TX created a way to grow an algae farm in the ocean using nitrogen from a landfill. Nella Travnicek (12), Miles Vaske (13), and Rhys Phillips (13) from Rex Mathes School in West Des Moines, IA developed a nitrogen tile drain filter. Quinlan Blankinship (12) and Miro Vinck (12) from Putnam Avenue Upper School in Cambridge, MA used AI to decipher old whaling maps to better understand migration patterns. Elia Wolk (13), Audrey Shin (13), Kayal Thuduppathy (13), and Zoe Hennenberger (13) from Cabin John Middle School in Potomac, MD created a SIGMA robot for ocean exploration.

"We are incredibly proud of all the participants who took part in this impactful innovative challenge," said Damola Adamolekun, CEO of Red Lobster. "The passion and ingenuity these students have demonstrated is inspiring, and it highlights the essential role that younger generations play in protecting our oceans. We look forward to seeing how these teams will continue to drive positive change in our oceans and the world."

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As the Grand Prize winners, each member of the team will receive an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Los Angeles, CA to meet leading ocean innovators at AltaSea. They will also receive free team registration for the 2025-2026 FIRST competition season and a STEAM kit for hands-on learning. Additionally, their school will receive $1,000 in science supplies.

Members of the Runner-Up teams will also receive free team registration for the 2025-2026 FIRST competition season and a STEAM kit.

Red Lobster encourages everyone to learn more about the Ocean Sustainability Challenge at www.redlobsterblueocean.com. This challenge highlights the importance of protecting our oceans and showcases how young minds can make a significant impact on our planet's future.

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