2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Cecilia Connelly Memorial 2007 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: TRICIA DODDS

Tricia first became interested in underwater archaeology and diving while in college where she became a certified diver in 2002. Soon, she was working on projects at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary with NOAA, Loch Tay in Scotland, and the Baltic Sea in Germany. After receiving the first ever underwater archaeology degree at the University of Georgia in 2004, she enrolled at East Carolina University’s Maritime Studies Program. Tricia plans to graduate in summer 2007 with an MA in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology, and she is interested in studying submerged cultural resources in southern California, particularly at the Channel Islands.

The Ocean Pals 2007 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: SHARON PROGAR

Sharon Progar is a senior at Lake Central High School. She was first introduced to the world of diving during her sophomore year in 2005. She became Open Water certified for her high school’s Marine Biology trip to Key Largo, Florida where she dived the Florida Keys. In Florida she became enthusiastic about marine life and decided to study Marine Biology after high school. In fall 2007 Sharon will attend Texas A&M at Galveston for a degree in Marine Biology. Currently Rescue certified, she looks forward to this summer when she will continue her certifications and become Dive Master certified.

The Reimers Systems Inc. 2007 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a diver to be used towards enrollment in a Certified Hyperbaric Technician course.

Awarded to: Alison ma

Alison received a BSc. in Biology, minor in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, Canada. In her final year of studies, she completed a scientific diving certification through Canadian Association for Underwater Sciences. An interest in diving physiology developed, and she was selected for an internship with Divers Alert Network at Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Environmental Physiology in Durham, NC, where she currently works in technical support of various studies, including evaluating safe times between diving and flying and testing astronaut pre-breathe protocol. Alison plans to work toward becoming a certified hyperbaric technician and continue working in diving safety and education.

The Reimers Systems Inc./Ted Hoggard Memorial 2007 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a diver to be used towards enrollment in a Certified Hyperbaric Technician course.

Awarded to: Aaron d. mishkin

Aaron started diving at the age of 15 and has been an avid diver ever since. His love of diving and the sciences drew him to study Bioengineering (BS 2005) and Physiology (MS 2007) at the Pennsylvania State University. As an intern for the Divers Alert Network he was introduced to Hyperbaric Medicine in 2004. Aaron plans to attend medical school and pursue further training in Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine.

The Scuba Made Easy 2007 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a deserving woman diver of any age, working in the areas of marine sciences, oceanography or ocean engineering.

Awarded to: JENIPHER CATE

Jenipher, a native Texan, has been diving since 2003. She is currently obtaining her masters in Marine Biospeleology through Texas A&M University. She is researching underwater caves in Bermuda for affects of ground water pollution. This information will be used to help implement better pollution controls on waste water management on the island. Her main goal in life is to teach underwater conservation through active learning.

The Undergraduate Marine Research Internship 2007 Scholarship

A scholarship awarded to a female undergraduate student who is (or will be) participating in an internship program with a focus on marine biology.

Awarded to: MEGAN PORTER

Megan is a senior at the University of Miami and will receive her BS in Marine Science/Biology. She became a PADI Rescue diver in high school while taking a marine biology class—and a love of the underwater world was born! In 2005, Megan obtained her University of Miami/RSMAS Scientific Diving certificate. During the summer of 2006, Megan completed a RSMAS fellowship where she studied coral reefs and utilized her research diving skills. Megan plans to continue her study of marine biology in graduate school. In the future, Megan would particularly like to be employed in an area that conducts research and at the same time has the opportunity for scientific diving.

Hillary Viders, Ph.D. 2007 Scholarship

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

Awarded to: AlLISON L. SCHMIDT

Allison started diving in the Great Lakes in 1999. She has since migrated to the East Coast of Canada to pursue her love for diving and the environment through a career as a marine biologist. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Dalhousie University focusing on current and historic human impacts on coastal marine ecosystems. She is dedicated to passing on her knowledge and passion for the oceans and actively teaches at the university and volunteers for grade school field expeditions. In the future, Allison aims to continue working as a researcher in the field of marine conservation and raise awareness of marine related issues as a professor, teacher and diver.

Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF, Inc.) 2007 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: MEGAN SAUNDERS

Megan learned to dive in 1999, while completing a BSc in Marine Biology. In 2003, following an internship researching manatees, she became an Assistant Instructor in Utila, Honduras. This led to a job as a dive master on a live-aboard in Alaska. A position as a scientific research diver at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, in British Columbia, convinced her to pursue graduate studies. She is now completing a PhD in Oceanography at Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia, where she uses SCUBA to study invasive species in kelp beds. Her future plans include completing the IDC somewhere warmer than Atlantic Canada.

Women Underwater 2007 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: Lara hinderstein

Lara is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. She completed her Master’s at San Francisco State University on the feeding ecology of bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Belize. Lara began diving in 1998 and is now an advanced cave sidemount diver. Her doctoral research project investigates the biology and ecology of cave adapted animals found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. She uses scientific diving techniques to access the extreme underwater cave environment to collect data. Lara plans to further her technical diving skills by taking trimix and rebreather classes.