Atlantic Estuarine Research Society

At this past AERS meeting (Fall 2022) a new award was initiated. As this was the first in person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, many spent a great deal of time catching up. Many attendees hung around chatting after the Friday night banquet ended, slowly petering out over time. The last group of attendees wound down their evening at 12:26 am, and President Shelley Katsuki decided that if one of them was present at the first talk the next morning, they would be recognized for it. Thus, the “Last Clam Standing” award came into being. Much like the coveted NEERS stickleback award, this is not necessarily presented at every meeting and is only awarded (at the discretion of the President) if all criteria are met. These are:

1) Attends the AERS banquet on Friday evening and present through the end of the banquet

2) Is present and awake for the first presentation Saturday morning

3) Distinguishes themselves by asking thought-provoking questions throughout the meeting