Tuesday, April 14th, 2026: “They said, ‘It’s really pretty over here… what’s that area?’ I told them, ‘That’s the harbor,’ and they said, ‘Wow—you can really view everything from there! We should call it Harborview. It sounds very pretty!"- SANY parent Jennifer Coffey.

It’s official; two of our very own Syracuse Academy of Science Atoms have helped make local history!

Sisters Cailin and Riley Coffey proudly named Onondaga County’s newest attraction: the Harborview Aquarium. Earlier this year, County Executive Ryan McMahon announced a county-wide contest inviting students to submit name ideas for the new aquarium.

Out of many creative submissions, Cailin and Riley’s idea stood out for its beauty and connection to the surrounding harbor. Their thoughtful inspiration captured the essence of the location and made a lasting impression. McMahon also compared it to their marketing for the Lakeview amphitheater. 

Today, McMahon visited SAS Elementary School to officially announce the winning name and recognize the students behind it. Cailin and Riley, along with their mother, celebrated this exciting moment together.

As a fun note, another name the family considered was “Shark Shack,” inspired by Riley’s love for sharks!

We are incredibly proud of our students for their creativity, imagination, and contribution to the community. Moments like these highlight the power of student voice and community connection!