At The Island School, we love welcoming alumni back to work with us. In the last year, former students have returned as interns, mentors, researchers, and educators. In the fall, we were thrilled to welcome two more alumni, Noah Sonnenberg F14 and Paityn Wedder F15, as full-time research faculty at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI). Their journeys have come full circle as they step into roles shaping the future of research, sustainability, and education in The Bahamas.

Noah Sonnenberg F14

Noah’s Island School journey began in 2011 when he visited our campus for the first time on a school trip as a 7th grade student. During that trip, he had the opportunity to assist with research at CEI, and as he puts it, “that experience changed everything for me.” Once he was old enough, he applied for the semester program and attended in Fall 2014.  As a semester student, his research course once again was a highlight that ignited a passion for marine science.  

Today, Noah specializes in shark reproductive physiology and movement ecology. At CEI, he is leading research on shark behavior, hormone cycles, aggregation patterns, and habitat use, while also studying how sharks respond to environmental and human-driven stimuli. Through these projects, he aims to build a more complete picture of how sharks reproduce, interact, and navigate their environments, with the broader goal of supporting long-term conservation efforts in the region.

Paityn Wedder F15

Paityn attended The Island School just a year after Noah, in Fall 2015. Growing up, she had a deep love for the environment, and when she heard about the Semester program at The Island School, she knew it would be the perfect opportunity to explore marine ecology. Her experience not only shaped her academic and professional trajectory but also her personal growth. She said, “[The Island School] taught me the importance of maintaining intentional relationships, the significance of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and how to mentally and physically be where your feet are.” 

Today, Paityn leads research in CEI’s agroforestry project, an initiative designed to strengthen local food security in a nation that imports nearly 90% of its food. Her work focuses on building an ecologically resilient system that preserves the integrity of the native coppice forest while producing sustainable, locally grown food for the Island School community.

Island School Experience Comes Full Circle

For both Noah and Paityn, returning to CEI represents a meaningful full-circle moment. Each attributes a significant part of their academic and personal development to their one hundred days at The Island School. After earning advanced degrees in marine and environmental sciences, respectively, both felt called to return to the community that left such a lasting impact. Noah reflects on how the Island School prepared him to navigate challenges with curiosity, pursue experiential learning, and eventually transition from the financial field back into marine science. Paityn credits her semester with strengthening her commitment to conservation, inspiring her undergraduate and graduate studies, and teaching her the importance of relationships, resilience, and being present. 

We are proud to welcome Paityn and Noah back to campus as they contribute to CEI’s vital work and help create transformative learning experiences for the next generation of Island School students.