The National Marine Representatives Association awarded this year’s $2,500 Maritime Trades Scholarship to Kaila Kotkiewicz of Sayville, N.Y.

Established in 2008, the scholarship goes to a student who is pursuing education that will lead to a career in the marine industry.

Kotkiewicz is a graduate of Sayville High School and plans to attend State University of New York Maritime College this fall. Her intended field of study is maritime operations. “I hope I can be a role model for more women to enter this industry,” Kotkiewicz said in a statement.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Kotkiewicz plans to pursue a career path that will lead to her becoming a captain. She has worked as a deckhand on the Sayville ferry since 2016.