2009 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

WDHOF/Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarship in Underwater Archaeology

This $2500 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: Carrie Atkins

Carrie began diving while in high school, intending to pursue a career in marine biology. However, she became fascinated with archaeology after taking several courses and graduated from Bowdoin College with a double major in Biology and Classical Archaeology. Currently, Carrie is a M.A. candidate in Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on the social space and religious objects on board the Greco-Roman ship. She has worked on excavations in the Florida Keys and Turkey and plans to return to Turkey this summer. She hopes to continue excavating and educating the public about underwater archaeology.

WDHOF/Elizabeth Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship
in Journalism, Graphic Arts, or Photography

A $2,500 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: Kristie L. Carter

Kristie’s interest in scuba diving began after snorkeling and snuba captured her curiosity. Her interests include learning about marine life, exploring underwater ecosystems, and preservation of the ocean environment. Kristie is currently a junior at Northwest Missouri State University. She plans to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Interactive Digital Media, which combines studies in website design, multimedia production, photography, and mass communications. She plans on using this unique degree program to promote scuba diving, bring awareness to marine life, and encourage people world-wide to help preserve our ocean life. She also plans to continue scuba diving all around the world for many years to come.

WDHOF/Hillary Viders, Ph.D. Scholarship in Marine Conservation

A $2,500 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: Niveen Ismail

Niveen completed her Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2003. After working as a research engineer in the oil industry for 5 years, she decided on a career change. She currently is working towards a Master’s degree in Biology at Temple University. Her research examines the effects of persistent organic pollutants on the salt marsh ecosystems. After completing her degree at Temple she plans to pursue a Ph.D., continuing her research on the effects of contaminants on marine ecosystems. After graduate school, Niveen hopes to continue working in the field of marine conservation as a university professor.

WDHOF/Undergraduate Marine Research Internship in Marine Biology,

sponsored by Sue Morra, Ph.D. and Kathleen Dudzinski, Ph.D.

A $2,500 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: Kaycee Coleman

Kaycee is a junior at Rutgers University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology with plans to attend graduate school. The ocean has always been her passion, ever since she first vacationed at the Jersey shore. The past two years she has been an employee with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, while also working weekends cleaning beach houses at the Jersey shore. She feels very lucky to be able to use the knowledge she’s gained at Rutgers to research in Indonesia in the summer of 2009. To find out more about her project go to http://explorehoga.webs.com/.

WDHOF/Ocean Pals Junior Dive Training Grant

A $500 training grant awarded to a deserving young female, ages 13-18, who wishes 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: Marie Claire Cascione

Marie is in the 8th Grade at Eastchester Middle School in Westchester County, New York. She learned to dive in the cold murky waters of Rockaway Beach, New York at age 12. Since then she went on to attain her Advanced Open Water certification on the wrecks of Carlisle Bay in Barbados. While still rather new to Scuba, Marie is the third generation of divers in her family and has had many snorkeling experiences. She has been in a Shark Cage off Oahu viewing Sandbar and Galapagos Sharks, she pet Manatees in Crystal River, Florida and dove with Green Turtles in Costa Rica. A recent highlight was assisting in a Turtle Hatchling rescue on the beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida. Marie plans to continue to develop her diving skills, learn underwater photography and hopefully pursue a career in marine biology.

WDHOF/Reimers Systems, Inc. Certified Hyperbaric Technician Training Grants

RSI sponsors an $800 training grant to a diver for enrollment in a Certified Hyperbaric Technician Course. Candidates can be male or female. The grants are 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: Erin Kristine Zeigler

Erin began diving at the age of 12 with the completion of her open water certification in 1997. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science with a minor in Biology from Coastal Carolina University in 2007. From there she went on to intern at Divers Alert Network (DAN) participating in a cave diving fatality research study. During her time in Durham, NC she became active at the Hyperbaric Chamber participating in studies and patient care. In 2008 she received her NC Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification followed by her Diver Medical Technician (DMT) certification. She currently works for DAN in the medical department and is attending school part time towards her BSN in Nursing.

WDHOF/Scuba Made Easy Training Grant

A $500 training grant awarded to a deserving woman diver of any age, working in the areas of 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: Danielle Calini

Danielle is currently a senior at the University of Connecticut Avery Point, working toward her B.S degree in Coastal Studies. She recently discovered the diving world in the fall of 2007 and obtained her open water certification through PDIC; then advanced on to become an AAUS scientific diver, as well as a rescue diver. She is looking forward to continuing to pursue her passion for marine sciences in graduate school and using diving as a research tool for her thesis.

WDHOF/Women’s Scuba Association Training Grant

A $1,500 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. This year the grant was split evenly between four deserving individuals.

Awarded to: Miami Beach Senior High School Navy JROTC Program
Cadets: Adriana Chait, Sasha Dyroff, Andrea Orduz

Adriana is a sophomore at Miami Beach Senior High School. She is currently in her second year of NJROTC and plans to continue the NJROTC program throughout her high school career. Born and raised in Surfside, Fl, a little town situated right on the coastline of Florida, her ambition is to become a certified diver. She enjoys going to the beach, boating and fishing with her family and friends. She is looking forward to the opportunity offered to her through the 2009 Women Divers Hall of Fame/Women’s Scuba Association Training Grant and is very anxious to become a diver.

Sasha is a sophomore at Miami Beach Senior High School. Her goal is to become a government agent, e.g., FBI, DEA, CIA, ATF. Being a NJROTC cadet has helped her learn discipline, respect, and teamwork. She has great expectations for the rest of her life; she’s a happy 17 year old girl with amazing parents, the best dog in the world, an obsession with cars, boats, and weaponry, and high standards—and she plans on succeeding with flying colors!

Andrea is a sophomore at Miami Beach Senior High School, where she likes taking challenging classes. She’s in her second year as a member of NJROTC, which has helped her to develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-control. She’s quite an athlete and enjoys bastketball, skating, and swimming. She’s very interested in learning to dive and is excited about joining the scuba club at MBSH.

Awarded to: Jacqueline Elizabeth Force

Though Jacqueline comes from the small town of Brooksville, Florida, she plans on going far in life. As a junior in high school, she explores all fields that interest her, including scuba diving and aviation. Since 2005, her love of diving has only grown and she wishes to continue exploring life underwater. Shortly, she plans on taking the required courses to become an advanced open water and rescue diver. When all hard work pays off, she will be attending the University of Colorado after graduation. Her biggest dream is to accomplish as much as possible in one lifetime!