From my porch overlooking Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix, I spotted a craft seemingly out of the past. In the distance, a three-masted schooner skimmed over the turquoise blue of the Caribbean. The next day, the ship appeared again, and I wondered what had brought her to the waters off my island.
Not too long after that, I stepped aboard the Dennis Sullivan, a replica of a 19th-century schooner that was lovingly crafted by volunteers in Wisconsin, a testament to the ships that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes and today is owned by the World Ocean School.
As a former teacher, the idea that I was sailing on a floating classroom was intriguing. And that’s when I met Autumn Crow who is now a member of the Dennis Sullivan crew. Crow, the daughter of teachers, taught high school science before trading in the Mountain West for the ocean-going deck of the Dennis Sullivan, which she believes is the perfect place for young people to acquire real-world experience.
“Students are immersed in a unique learning environment from the moment they step on board,” she said. “They are not just passengers, nor are they superfluous to our operations. We give them real responsibility, and they have a clear spot in our community throughout the time they are on board.”
Stints on the Dennis Sullivan vary from one to five days for students in the 5th grade and up to eight-day summer programs for 8th through 12th graders. Students can explore seamanship, maritime history, and engineering, and can acquire important life skills.
Teacher Autumn Crow helps with the sails on the Dennis Sullivan. At other times, she puts on her science teacher hat and educates students about seamanship, maritime history, engineering, and important life skills
“The mission of World Ocean School is to provide an immersive and hands-on learning experience to a diverse group of students, one that leads to personal growth for students, and growth and empowerment that they can take with them back to their own communities,” Crow said. “Our mission extends beyond the educational curriculum we provide and centers on building and developing the life skills that are our core values: teamwork, communication, trust, and self-worth.”
Crow knows personally the value of learning at sea. “I sailed on Roseway, a boat owned by World Ocean School, when I was a student my junior year of high school. From that point on, working as a deckhand at World Ocean School was my dream job. I was enamored by the lifestyle and the work; living aboard a boat for a year, getting to travel by sail, doing physical work, and most of all, educating students in a unique environment.”
A mix of people—young and old—cruised on the Dennis Sullivan the day I was aboard. We novices were invited to help raise the sails and it was hard not to picture old-time sailors or even the pirates who once traveled the waters of the Caribbean as we cruised off the St. Croix coast. The lifestyle of those ancients seagoers was no doubt physically daunting, one that required teamwork and resilience, skills that young modern sailors can acquire by just stepping on board.
“The Denis Sullivan is a classroom that allows students to learn in a different environment; students who struggle in the classroom can often find a place to shine on our vessel.”
As the sails were lowered, we cruised back into the harbor, the sun setting amoung the clouds. And I couldn’t help but think of some of my former students, who, given the opportunity, might have enjoyed the life-changing experience of going to sea on the Dennis Sullivan.
THE CASTLE
ANNE MONTGOMERY
Suspense/Thriller
Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?
When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.
But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.
With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.
Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.
Praise for The Castle
“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review
“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central
“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews
“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews
“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine
“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog
“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog
“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author
Author Anne Montgomery 