2011 SCHOLARSHIP
WINNERS
WDHOF/Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarship in Underwater Archaeology
This $1500 scholarship is awarded to a deserving woman undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited course of study in the field of Underwater Archaeology. It is sponsored by the Connelly family in memory of their mother, Cecelia Connelly, who was inducted into WDHOF in 2001.
Awarded to: marilyn cassedy
Marilyn grew up as a competitive junior sailor, but when she went on to collegiate sailing, found herself more interested in the seafarers of the past. Majoring in Ancient Greek at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Marilyn went on to Texas A&M, where she is currently pursuing an MA in Nautical Archaeology. Her thesis focuses on the social standing of shipwrights in the classical world through their depictions in the literature, epigraphy and papyri of their contemporaries. Marilyn has had the chance to excavate at two sites in Turkey, and hopes to return to the K?z?lburun shipwreck excavation this summer.
WDHOF/Elizabeth Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship
in Journalism, Graphic Arts, or Photography
A $1,500 scholarship awarded to a women diver who is furthering her education beyond high school in the field of journalism, graphic arts, or photography to better serve the ocean environment or ocean community. The scholarship is intended to assist with college tuition/fees or may be used to support an internship program at an accredited university. This scholarship is sponsored in memory of Elizabeth Greenhalgh. One of Liz’s great loves in life was scuba diving. She enjoyed the quiet and the beauty beneath the waves and brought fun to those she dove with. Liz shared her love for life through her art and writings and represented the next generation of scuba diving. Her untimely passing left a void in the hearts of those who knew her and dove with her. She will be forever remembered for her enchanting smile and wit.
Awarded to: Katie Rowe
Katie began scuba diving while in high school. While in college working on her marine biology degree, she began working as a scuba diving instructor. She started bringing a camera down on her dives simply to show others what she was seeing underwater. This is when she fell in love with photography. She soon realized that her photos could be an important tool in marine research and ocean conservation so she decided to go back to school. Katie is currently finishing up her first year at Trident Technical College where she will be receiving an associate’s degree in photography.
WDHOF Scholarship in Marine Conservation sponsored by Aggressor Fleet & Dancer Fleet
A $2,000 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: deborah klughers
As the mother of four children and a PADI Rescue Diver, Deborah graduated as a valedictorian of Stony Brook University, majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in both Marine Science and Sustainability Studies. She is pursuing a masters degree in Marine Conservation and Policy at SoMAS. Deborah started a Fishing Line Recycling Program in her community, stating “Fishing line is one of the leading causes of suffering and death to marine inhabitants.” She produces a television show called “Keepin’ It Green” that airs on public access television and online. “If we can bring awareness to the issues facing the planet and present solutions, we can work together to heal the Earth.”
WDHOF/Undergraduate Marine Research Internship in Marine Biology,
sponsored by Sue Morra, Ph.D. and Kathleen Dudzinski, Ph.D.
A $1,000 scholarship awarded to a female undergraduate student who is (or will be) participating in an internship program with a focus in marine biology. Students must have completed at least 60 credits or hold third year (junior) status prior to starting the internship.
Awarded to: keri kenning
Keri is a junior at the University of Kansas, pursuing degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies. She developed a love for marine science at a young age when her dad taught her about sea creatures, and she became a certified diver at age 14. Keri is currently studying abroad with the School for Field Studies on South Caicos, learning about marine ecology, resource management, and environmental policy. She is performing research to help the Turks and Caicos Islands develop a sustainable economy. In the future, she hopes to continue to conduct research and to spread her love for the ocean and science.
WDHOF/Ocean Pals Junior Dive Training Grant
A $1,000 training grant ($500 for training/$500 for dive equipment) for a young woman between the ages of 13-18 to begin or further her dive education/training. It is presented in the form of a certificate, to be redeemed at the time the recipient enrolls in an approved diving course/program, at which time the funds are submitted directly to the training facility.
Awarded to: briana darcy
Briana is currently a freshman at Our Lady of Good Counsel Academy. She is a member of The National Junior Honor Society and an honors student. Her favorite subject in school is Science. Briana first fell in love with the ocean at the age of 4. Since then, she has worked her way up to becoming a Jr. Master Scuba Diver, which she achieved at the age of 13. Briana has many specialties, one of which is Underwater Digital Photography. She hopes to promote ocean conservation through her images. Briana likes shark-dives; to date, she has dived with Blues, Makos, Caribbean Reef Sharks and Black Tip Sharks. Her dream is to someday dive with Tigers, Bulls, and Great Whites. Her goal is to attend the Coast Guard Academy where she would like to become a rescue helicopter pilot or captain her own Coast Guard Cutter.
WDHOF/Hugh Fletcher Memorial Training Grant to Assist the Disabled to Dive
Two $1,000 training grants ($500 for training/$500 for dive equipment): one to a disabled diver to pursue or further dive education or purchase adaptive equipment, and one to a dive master, assistant instructor, or instructor to gain the required education/training to assist or teach the disabled to dive. Candidates can be male or female.
Awarded to: Nicole Damari
Nicole is a junior at Brown University studying Biology and Anthropology with plans to pursue an MD-MPH. She has been diving since she was 11 and is currently an Open Water and Specialty Instructor. While she loves science, her work in anthropology, public health, martial arts, applied theater, and, of course, scuba diving has convinced her that health is not purely medical but has other equally important components. She hopes to use this certification not only to share the underwater world with everyone she can, but also to address physical and psychological health and empower her future patients.
Awarded to: victor grimaldi
Victor was born in 1962 in Chicago. In 1987, his life took a dramatic turn after his left kidney and adrenal glands were removed because of an infection. Over the next few years it became very difficult for him to keep balance. After graduating in 1994 with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, he knew he would not be happy using a wheelchair in the Chicago area and he relocated to Arizona. Victor and his wife have fostered six children over the last eight years. They take in two children at a time and only will take in brothers. Victor currently volunteers full time and works part time out of his house. He is involved in trying to get Arizona Disabled Divers Foundation started and helping others that are disabled get active in diving.
WDHOF/Scuba Made Easy Training Grant
A $1000 training grant ($500 for training/$500 for dive equipment) to continue diver education/training in marine science, oceanography or ocean engineering. The training grant is intended to be used for the purpose of continuing diver education/training and is open to candidates worldwide. It is presented in the form of a certificate, to be redeemed when the recipient enrolls in an approved diving course/program, at which time the funds are submitted directly to the training facility.
Awarded to: nicole sarto
Nicole is an undergraduate at Stanford University, where she is majoring in Earth Systems with an emphasis on Ocean Systems, and is working towards a minor in Biology. Growing up on the beaches of San Diego, it didn’t take long for Nicole to fall in love with the ocean. She is now working towards a career in marine ecology and conservation, and will be studying at Hopkins Marine Station this spring. During that time she plans to use her WDHOF grant to do research in Monterey Bay, as well as on the Great Barrier Reef in the fall.
WDHOF/Women’s Scuba Association Training Grant
One $1,500 training grant and one $750 training grant awarded to a deserving young male or female who wishes to begin or further his/her dive education/training. Candidates must be enrolled in the Navy’s NJROTC or NROTC program. The grant is presented in the form of a certificate, to be redeemed at the time the recipient enrolls in an approved diving course/program, at which time the funds are submitted directly to the training facility.
Awarded to: kerri hands
Currently a junior at Greenport High School in NY, Kerri is very involved in her school’s Navy Jr. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) program, and she plans on entering the military after a college education at a military school. She has always been gifted with a talent in mathematics and sciences, so these areas will most likely be her preferred fields of study in her higher education. She hopes to gain a commission as an Officer in the US Marine Corps, and get an aviation contract in rotary wing vehicles. She has never been given the opportunity to scuba dive prior to receiving this award, so she is looking forward to learning how to dive.
$750 Awarded to: christopher price
Christopher’s older brother originally got him into SCUBA diving when he was a freshman in high school. He is currently a senior at the US Naval Academy, and will be serving as a Special Operations/Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer after graduation this May. While at the Academy, Christopher earned the PADI Divemaster certification and he will be using his grant for the Open Water Instructor Course. In his free time, he has been developing an underwater vehicle that automatically controls depth with buoyancy, a concept inspired by diving. He has also improved the SCUBA Club for Midshipmen through training, equipment, underwater conservation and recreational trips.
WDHOF/Kids Sea Camp Basic Dive Training Grant
Two $1,000 training grants ($500 for training/$500 for dive equipment) to enter the exciting world of diving or further dive education beyond the basic certification level through a PADI scuba certification course.
Awarded to: mary mcallister davis
Mary became a certified scuba diver while at Hofstra University in 1986. After graduating that year, she went to dental school at SUNY Stony Brook. She was only able to enjoy a few diving trips before school became a priority. After graduating dental school, she was married, and she and her husband John now have three wonderful children. When her oldest two children became teenagers, she decided it was time to return to diving. The three of them enrolled in a certification course last summer, and they are now enjoying diving as a family. Even though she is an older diver, Mary plans to continue her dive training and enjoy many more years of diving.
Awarded to: ariel magnes
Ariel has always had a passion for the ocean and learning about marine life. Her first encounters with the ocean were visits to aquariums and beaches in the Northeastern US. Since then she has completed introductory dives in Thailand and Mexico, and hopes to become more involved in volunteer projects related to water conservation. Ariel has also worked with several companies and nonprofits specializing in children’s media. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Interactive Media in Australia on a Rotary Scholarship, where she plans to further her skills in scuba diving.
The Women Divers Hall of Fame Advanced Dive Training Grant, co-sponsored by Bonnie Toth
Two $1,000 training grants ($500 for training/$500 for dive equipment) to further dive education through an approved scuba diving program beyond the basic certification level.
Awarded to: Laura knight
Laura is an undergraduate at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, with a focus on Marine Science, Biology, and Chemistry. She is currently a junior level student enrolled in a senior level Biology of Fishes course. She hopes to combine her rich academic background with her passion for diving and apply it to her future as a scientific diver. The WDHOF Advanced Dive Training Grant will help her pay for training to become a scientific diver. Her ultimate goal is to use diving to research and further understand fish habitat utilization, bio-geography, and ecomorphology of tropical fishes.
Awarded to: alex rose
Alex has a BS and MS in Biology and has been a PADI-certified diver for over four years. She currently works as a science writer for CoralScience.org, breeds Percula clownfish and makes high-quality marine fish food at Rod’s Reef, and volunteer dives in the “Caribbean Reef” at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Alex will return to graduate school in 2012 to complete a PhD in Aquaculture; her dissertation will be on the development of heat-resistant stony corals for use in worldwide coral reef restoration projects. Alex hopes to use her WDHOF grant to promote advancements in ocean conservation efforts through research and education.
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