I grew up on Long Island, surrounded by water, enjoying the beaches every summer. Now, as a student athlete in Philadelphia, rowing on the Schuylkill River daily, I am very aware of the unfortunate state of the water that surrounds me. The color, smell and vast amounts of trash are pervasive. For this photo-journalism project, I documented the pollution ruining the waters that surround my hometown and a city I have temporarily, but lovingly adopted.