2005 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Cecilia Connelly Memorial 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a deserving woman of any age who is an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited course of study in the field of Underwater Archeology.

Awarded to: Wendy van Duivenvoorde

Wendy is an archaeologist with a special interest in shipwreck archaeology. Most of her current research is focused on maritime trade and shipbuilding in the ancient Mediterranean and Northern Europe . She started her archaeological education in 1992 and began diving in Malaysia a year later. Ever since, she has participated in and co-directed multiple shipwreck excavations of high international standing in Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Sri Lanka. In 2000, she was awarded a Fulbright grant that enabled her to pursue her dreams as a Ph.D. student in the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University. Wendy is a member of the German Society of Underwater Archaeology (DEGUWA) and was elected vice-president of the Texas A&M University Fulbright Association in 2002.

The Hugh Fletcher Memorial 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to any dive master, assistant instructor or instructor to learn to teach or assist the disabled to dive.

Awarded to: Tammie Shelton

Tammie Shelton began diving in 1989. In 2000, her scuba passion became her ministry as she joined Eels on Wheels Adaptive Scuba Club, a group who provides scuba experiences to children and adults with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. She currently volunteers as a scuba instructor and serves on the Board of Directors for the Eels. Her affinity for helping disabled children led her to volunteer for Camp Aranzazu, a camp for special needs children located in Rockport, Texas, where she now works as Administrative Assistant. Tammie holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Magna cum Laude) from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi in Kinesiology, and is a Corpus Christi Caller Times Jefferson Volunteer Award recipient.

The Ocean Pals 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a deserving young female, ages 13-18, to be used towards an entry level or advanced diving related educational program.

Awarded to: Karly Miller

Karly was certified in 2001 at age 14. By 2004 she had reached the level of master diver. During these three years she also volunteered as an educator at the Newport Aquarium and excelled in her high school and community. Karly will graduate this year in the top of her class and will study marine and environmental science at the University of South Carolina on a full scholarship. I plan to apply my education to the study of the marine environment and the improvement of the oceanic ecosystems through research and education. If we dont do it now, who will.

Reimers Systems 2005 Scholarship

Two scholarships awarded to divers to be used towards enrollment in a Certified Hyperbaric Technician course to study hyperbaric medicine. Candidates can be male or female.

Awarded to: Aram Limsakul and Frank Benedetti

Aram Limsakul was first certified in 1996 and has since become a PADI Course Director. He is the owner of several dive resorts all under the name of Black Tip Diving & Water Sports all located in his native country of Thailand. Throughout his teaching career he has certified over 1,000 students in Thai, German and English. He helped to establish the Koh Tao (Thailand) Dive Operators Associaton of which he is currently the Vice President. From his position he strongly advocates programs and activities that encourage diver safety and environmental awareness.

Frank Benedetti is a graduate of the University of Memphis and began scuba diving in the summer of 1999. Having worked in field of commercial/wedding photography, he was overwhelmed by the new subjects that diving afforaed him. In early 2002, Frank was certified as a PADI instructor and began working for Blackbeard Cruises live-a-board dive operation ( Miami, Florida ). Later that year he returned to Memphis, began working as an E.M.T. for a private ambulance service and continued to teach scuba for his local diving club. As an E.M.T., Frank was introduced the Wound Care Center at the Regional Medical Center and eagerly accepted a position in May of 2004 to train as a Hyperbaric Technician. His long term goal is to return to nursing school, become a RN, and continue working in the Wound Care/HBO setting.

Hillary Viders, Ph.D. 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a qualified woman of any age, diver or non-diver, who is enrolled in an accredited academic or research program in the field of marine science and conservation.

Awarded To: Ann Zulkosky

Ann is currently working on her Ph.D. in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on the effects of pollution on the biota of coastal ecosystems. She is investigating the effects of pesticide exposure on non-target animals: these can be useful model organisms to draw attention to environmental problems before they become more widespread. She has a Master’s degree in Marine Environmental Science for which she studied a class of chemicals that actually become more toxic as they degrade. After completing her doctorate, she plans to continue working on coastal contaminant issues. She believes determining the full effects of modern use contaminants on aquatic organisms will lead to less harmful alternatives and more effective remediation.

Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF, Inc.) 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a deserving woman diver of any age and background who wishes to begin or further her dive education.

Awarded to: Velena Humphreys

Velena Humphreys certified in 2002 and completed Rescue Diver in 2004. She owns her own business and also works part time in the “real world”. She is working on completing her Dive Master Certification and is looking forward to becoming an instructor. She is very involved with the youth in her area and plans and participates in girl’s camp every summer. She has been happily married for 15 years.

Women Underwater 2005 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a qualified woman diver for the purpose of venturing or continuing her education/training in the area of technical diving.

Awarded to: Jenny Wu and Mireille Dallaire

Jenny Wu runs the Fishes Department at the New England Aquarium in Boston, where she has worked for seven years. Jenny started diving in 1998 in New England, and her love for diving has taken her to Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest. She has worked as a research diver for the Radioactive Waste Management Associates, an independent consulting firm in NYC. She is a PADI MSDT Instructor and DAN 02 Instructor. She is also a Teaching Assistant for an Ichthyology class.

Mireille Dallaire started diving in 1999 and quickly set her sights on exploring caves and wrecks. She traveled to several countries in pursuit of these interests. In 2004, she joined a local scuba diving club where she currently presents various dive sites. In addition, she accompanies less experienced divers and occasionally introduces them to technical diving. Recently, she was invited to collaborate, as both a consultant and writer, in the Quebec publication of a new on-line scuba diving magazine.