By Isabella Jaramillo, Miami
Dear Florida,
I always took growing up on the beach for granted. The endless sun burns, sand accumulating everywhere, and the occasional jellyfish sting. It wasn’t until I left home for the first time that I realized how crucial the beaches in Miami were in making me who I am today.
The beauty and magic of the beach are often overlooked by many, and it wasn’t until 2018 that I realized this. After coming home for spring break, I raced to my favorite beach. Once I arrived, I noticed everything was different. The color of the water was a murky brown. There were no children running around and splashing. Worst of all, the smell of washed up dead see creatures wafted through the air. The algae bloom made it impossible to be where I loved most. It was heartbreaking. Luckily, the algae bloom where I live has subsided, but we must not let this happen again. Anywhere. Florida’s beauty is under attack. We need to preserve it and we need to fight.
