Urbanna Oyster Festival Queen contestant Elisabeth Gobush and her Little Miss Spat co-contestant Charlee Parsley spent their summer working to protect something many in their community may see every day but often take for granted: the Rappahannock River. Their project focused on the importance of oysters, clean waterways, and how small actions can lead to long-term environmental change.
Elisabeth, who has always felt a strong connection to the local ecosystem, saw the Urbanna Oyster Festival project as the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about the health of the river and the role oysters play in keeping it clean. With Charlee by her side, she was determined to create a project centered not just on fundraising but on education, involvement, and impact.
Friends of the Rappahannock
Together, they organized two successful fundraisers and raised more than $700, which they donated to Friends of the Rappahannock, a nonprofit organization committed to restoring and protecting the Rappahannock River. Elisabeth and Charlee chose this organization because of its alignment with their values: clean water, thriving wildlife, and strong communities connected to nature.
One of their most impactful events was an educational talk on ospreys, conducted in partnership with the Chesapeake Inn. They invited Dr. Bryan Watts from the College of William & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology to speak about the decline in osprey populations and how it connects to water quality. Ospreys depend on clean water and healthy fish populations, so when they are doing well, it’s a sign the whole ecosystem is thriving. The event encouraged community members to see the bigger picture and understand that protecting oysters means protecting an entire interconnected system.
Elisabeth also volunteered with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, where she helped count oyster larvae, known as spat, on shells before they were returned to the water. This hands-on experience gave her a deeper understanding of the oyster restoration process and how every shell plays a role.
Another key part of their summer project was the collection and donation of tens of thousands of used oyster shells. These recycled shells are essential to oyster restoration efforts because they provide the hard surfaces that young oysters need to grow. Without them, new oysters struggle to survive. Thanks to their efforts, many more shells will return to the water to help rebuild oyster reefs and provide habitat for marine life.
Looking back on their project, Elisabeth and Charlee are proud of all their work. Their work gave the community multiple ways to learn, participate, and appreciate the environment around them. Whether it was a dollar donated, a question asked at their osprey talk, or a single recycled shell, each contribution supported a healthier Chesapeake Bay.
Thanks
Elisabeth and Charlee would like to thank Friends of the Rappahannock, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Dr. Bryan Watts, the Chesapeake Inn, and all the community members and local supporters who contributed to their project and believed in their mission.
Elisabeth Gobush, the daughter of Matt Gobush and Gari Lister, is a four-year senior at Christchurch School, where she has been on the varsity tennis team for the last three years. Throughout high school, she has worked at both the Chesapeake Inn and Ballgown Barefoot.
Her Little Miss Spat, Charlee Parsley, is the daughter of Sarah and Shawn Parsley. Charlee is full of energy and creativity. She loves doing crafts and dreams of becoming a gymnastics coach one day. Charlee brought endless enthusiasm to every part of their project, and Elisabeth loved getting to share this journey with her.
What Elisabeth enjoyed most about the Urbanna Oyster Festival Queen competition was the chance to spend time with Charlee and being able to help the river. Her summer was filled with meaningful work, learning, and community spirit, and the memories they made will last long after the festival is over.
