​​When thinking about what my spark was, I was stumped at first. So, naturally, I went to the beach and sat by the water to think about it. That’s how I realized what my spark was – the water. Being near water calms me down, gives me hobbies, job opportunities, a place to gather with my friends, and leads me to TAMUCC to pursue a creative degree. I grew up playing at the pool every day in the summers, lifeguarding, fishing, and wakeboarding. Water isn’t just special to me, it’s vital for human life. It replenishes our bodies, hosts ecosystems, makes up 71% of our earth, and was an important foundation for our early societies.

I knew that I wasn’t the only person who felt connected to water, so I began to do some research to understand the connection. That’s where I learned about the Blue Mind Theory – a relatively new theory that explains the emotional, physical, and instinctual connection many people have with water. Learning that there is scientific reasoning for my love of water validated me in an impactful way, and I chose to do my final project on this topic to try to share this impact with others. Water creates communities, and I hope my work can spark this community with those that view it.