“During my tenure in the Nautical Archaeology Program (NAP) at Texas A&M University, I was fortunate to gain an assistantship in the Conservation Research Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Donny Hamilton, where I developed an enduring appreciation for artifact conservation and the meticulous work required to preserve the past. I also had the opportunity to participate in several of Dr. Kevin Crisman’s field projects in the waters of Lake Champlain, which provided invaluable hands-on experience in recording and interpreting shipwreck sites. These experiences collectively set me on the path to Pensacola, Florida, where I have since been involved in the excavation, analysis, and conservation of artifacts from three ships associated with the 1559 Spanish colonization fleet of Tristan de Luna. I have many fond memories of the NAP’s seminar courses led by Dr. George Bass, Dr. Frederick van Doorninck, Dr. Fred Hocker, and Dr. Shelley Wachsmann. The formal structure of those discussions encouraged rigor and professionalism, while the camaraderie that developed among my fellow classmates fostered lifelong friendships and a shared passion for maritime history. My time in the NAP shaped both my career and my enduring enthusiasm for nautical archaeology.”