Caroline Shinkle, a senior at Cranbrook Kingswood High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Managing Editor of her school newspaper, The Crane-Clarion, has chosen the Gulf oil crisis in Plaquemines Parish as her summer project.

Shinkle met with Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser who explained the vast impact of the BP oil crisis on the fragile wetlands, wildlife and livelihoods of our fishermen in Plaquemines Parish.

Shinkle and her parents witnessed first-hand some of the damage and destruction to the marsh and wildlife. She spoke to some parish fishermen affected by the oil disaster and saw efforts to save and protect the wetlands.

“We hope Caroline can take back with her a better idea of the seriousness of the toll this tragedy is taking in Plaquemines Parish and the tremendous work it’s going to take to clean it up,” President Nungesser said. “Young people like Caroline represent our future leaders who can learn from this experience and continue our hard work of saving our wetlands and wildlife for generations to come.”