The 2022 Vision Fellows Are Announced!
The Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship program is pleased to announce the 2022 Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellows. Since its first awards in 2006, the Vision Fellowship has supported local individuals committed to the Island’s communities and natural environment and who recognize the importance of contributing to the health and well-being of both. The 2022 Fellows join a thriving community of 137 current and past fellows, and their mentors and sponsoring organizations.
The 2022 Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellows are:
Keissila Cecilio, who will graduate this spring from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS). She will enroll in college this fall, with the long-term goal of becoming a medical doctor. As a high school student, Keissila has earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license, CPR certification, Alzheimer's certification, and COVID-19 certification. She works as a nursing assistant at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. At MVRHS, Keissila has served as president of Model UN, Grassroots, a community service and community-building club, and Best Buddies, a club that creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among other things, Keissila is also a student leader for Martha's Vineyard Commission and a homeroom facilitator.
Nicholas Cranston, who also will graduate from MVRHS this spring, plans to study biology with a focus on marine biology at Tulane University. Since 2018, Nick has served as the Vineyard Haven Assistant Harbor Master. A student athlete, Nick has been captain of the boys’ varsity baseball and soccer teams and has volunteered as head coach of the Tisbury School junior varsity basketball team. This summer, Nick will intern with Cottage City Oysters in Oak Bluffs. Owners Dan and Greg Martino have been growing sugar kelp, a winter crop, along with their shellfish. Nick hopes to work with them to find a kelp species that can be grown efficiently in the summer. Nick worked on a similar project, “Algae Gardens: The Future of Homegrown Food”, with the supervision of his AP biology teacher (and 2019 Vision Fellow) Dr. Carrie Fyler. This project tested the validity of growing phytoplankton at home as a viable food source. Nick is also founder and president of MVRHS’ Esports Club, a gaming community with participation from schools across the country.
Augusta Dillon, who is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Program through Simmons University’s online program. This program emphasizes providing socially responsive nursing education, innovation and knowledge in order to deliver advanced care and drive meaningful change in health care. Since December 2020, Augusta has worked as pediatric ambulatory staff nurse for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. In May 2016, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Minor in Biology from Simmons. An Island native, she graduated from MVRHS in 2010. Prior to returning to the Vineyard, Augusta worked for Children's Hospital of Orange County/Rady Children's San Diego in the acute care medical/surgical unit, for Boston Children’s Hospital in the Intermediate Care Program - Medical/Surgical ICU-Stepdown, and in the Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Rehab Unit at Franciscan Children’s Hospital.
Energy Planner Vision Fellowship Position at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC).
The Vision Fellow to be engaged for this role will focus on influencing major Island players whose actions will determine the Island’s energy future, while coordinating municipal-level projects and helping shape state and local policies to support the Island’s energy transition and energy resilience. The Energy Planner’s key collaborators will include members of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s Climate Action Task Force (CATF) Energy Working Group, a volunteer group of engineers and others experienced in Island energy issues, as well as Ben Robinson, MVC Commissioner and Chair of the CATF, Wesley Look, a 2010 Vision Fellow and long-time climate policy champion, and Kate Warner, founder of the Vineyard Energy Project. Other key collaborators will include: the town Energy Committees, volunteer groups who are now working on energy issues and strategies on the municipal level; federal and state elected officials; Eversource; and Vineyard Power, which is working to support renewable energy creation and energy resilience Island-wide. The hiring team for this Vision Fellowship position is actively seeking qualified candidates. For a complete job description, please contact hackney@vineyardvision.org.
Energy Transformation Coordinator Vision Fellowship Position at Vineyard Power. The Energy Transition Coordinator (ETC) will play a key role in empowering Islanders to make the necessary changes in homes, businesses, and personal transportation to realize a 100% renewable energy Island by 2040. The ETC will focus on four strategic areas needed for the Island’s transition to a renewable energy future: energy efficient buildings; all-electric heating and hot water systems for buildings; electric transportation & charging infrastructure; and renewable energy generation using solar with back-up battery storage. The ETC will facilitate a range of educational opportunities for Islanders, from establishing a volunteer force ready to answer individual climate questions to organizing public workshops and events. This person will help connect people with funding opportunities, tax breaks and incentives to make these transitions more affordable and accessible for all. Key partners and resource organizations include: town climate and energy committees; Cape Light Compact; Island Climate Action Network; MV public libraries; MV Builders Association; MVC Climate and Energy Planners. The hiring team for this Vision Fellowship position is actively seeking qualified candidates. For a complete job description, please contact hackney@vineyardvision.org.
Taynara Goncalves, who will pursue a master of science in physician assistant studies. Born in Mantena, Brazil, Taynara and her family moved to the U.S. when Taynara was three to seek more opportunities. As a foreigner, Taynara often experienced unequal treatment in a healthcare setting. This sparked her desire to become a healthcare provider. Her hope is to ensure that all patients, regardless of their ethnicity, race, or social class, are treated with the same respect and are able to obtain proper, equitable health care. Taynara has been a medical assistant and health coach with Island Health Care since November 2020. She graduated from Gordon College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, pre-medicine concentration. She is a 2016 graduate of MVRHS.
Rodrigo Honorato, who will pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, with the goal of becoming a licensed social worker. An Island native, Rodrigo graduated from MVRHS in 2012 and attended Dean College for two years before returning to the Vineyard to work in HVAC and carpentry for several years. Since December 2019, Rodrigo has worked for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services as a family support worker, where he connects families with children 0-18 years to resources such as Island Food Pantry, Clothes to Go, SNAP/ WIC, health insurance, housing, Dukes County Transportation Access Program, which provides refunds for medical appointments, and much more. In past years, Rodrigo coached MVRHS boys’ soccer and has volunteered for the Red Stocking Fund.
Pete Lambos, director of operations of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust’s Seafood Collaborative, will oversee and implement a multi-year initiative to ensure the sustainability of the MV Seafood Collaborative (MVSC). The MVSC is a wholesale seafood market created in 2021 in response to the closure of the previous wholesale seafood market during the pandemic. This closure threatened the ability for many Island fishermen to sell their catch locally and would have forced many fishermen to travel to the mainland or close their fishing businesses entirely. MVSC’s success will help: ensure the long-term viability of the Martha’s Vineyard fishing fleet; prevent the decay of the Island’s working waterfronts; and maintain the authentic character and vitality of the Island’s harbors. In addition, success will: reduce the off-Island shipping footprint currently needed to sell seafood; reduce the demand for additional, imported seafood; and allow the diversion of excess seafood to Island food donation organizations and families. MVSC is also partnering with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, whose mission is to restore shellfish resources for the well-being of the entire Island community and to support local shellfish consumption. Together, MVSC and MCSG are coordinating on all strategies related to a Local Seafood Campaign, including community events, marketing materials, and any additional concepts that will help magnify their mutual goal of keeping more seafood on the Island.
Matthew Taylor, who will produce a series of short films documenting Island agriculture from extensive footage he recorded at nine local farms between the years 2005 and 2007 through every season – plowing, planting, harvesting. Each short film will showcase a different aspect of agriculture on Martha’s Vineyard. The footage includes interviews with Island farmers. Farms documented include Morning Glory Farm, Mermaid Farm, Alan Farm, Whippoorwill Farm (CSA), Red Hill Farm, Beetlebung Farm, North Tabor Farm, Flatpoint Farm, and David Flanders’ Farm. Matthew has additional footage showing, among other things, the process of producing maple syrup from West Tisbury Swamp Maples, traditional duck hunting with Simon Athearn, and 15th generation Islander Deborah Silva and her parents (Reggie and Darlene) harvesting rose hips and beach plums for jams and jellies. The anticipated outcome of this endeavor will be a series of professionally shot and edited short films featuring the year-round process of farming on Martha’s Vineyard for public viewing at various venues, including at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society’s fairs.