In these challenging times, any little bit helps to fund higher education. Here's a great news story about NSPF's Scholarship/Fellowship program. Let's give a real big congratulation to the students who have been awarded., If you or a family member are CPO certification graduate you can qualify to apply for next year. LB
National Swimming Pool Foundation®
Awards $20,000 in Scholarships & Fellowships to Fifteen Students
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, August 4, 2011 —The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) is pleased to announce the board of directors has awarded $20,000 in Scholarships and Fellowships to fifteen students for the year 2011-2012. These two award programs have been funded annually, now entering their seventh year. The board increased the number of awards and the total funded for this period in response to the continued soft economy, recognizing more students are in need of solid financial assistance.
The National Swimming Pool Foundation is dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams of a college education. The organization celebrates that commitment in the giving of these annual awards. “The inspirational effect on the students provides the greatest value for all concerned,” said Bill Kent, Scholarship Review Committee Chair.
Certified Pool/Spa Operator® certification graduates and their family members are honored with the Scholarship/Fellowship Program, which helps them to pursue higher education. Scholarship applicants submit professional information and recommendations, and are required to write a research essay with at least three scientific references. The essays this year asked candidates to address swimming pool water conditions and contaminants that are likely to result in eye and/or skin irritation, allergic response, or infection. Each applicant was required to include guidance for pool management or swimmers on how to prevent these negative effects.
The Scholarship Committee approved $16,000 in scholarships to fourteen students who are pursuing higher education around the U.S., in a variety of subject areas.
Krishna Kansagra — Columbia University, received the Ray B. Essick Scholarship for $2,000. Katelyn Kohout — University of Wisconsin, was awarded the Board of Directors Scholarship for $2,000.
The following students were awarded $1,000 scholarships: Chase Anderson – University of Notre Dame, Dorothy Cooper – University of Vermont, who received the Phillip J. Sperber Scholarship. She responded, “Thank you for awarding me the Phillip J. Sperber Scholarship. I hope to work in a non-profit organization and give back to the community. I truly appreciate your generous gift. Thank you for supporting my college career!”
Brittney Morgan— Huntington University, recipient of the D. Joseph Hunsaker Scholarship, wrote to the committee, “Thank you so much! I am so excited! My family and I were just talking about payment plans for first semester this year when I checked my email! This will help me bridge the gap in paying for my education this year! I am so grateful that you chose me to receive this award. I am glad to know that I now have a professional organization as a reference in my future career.” Sarah Demty — University of Massachusetts, Lauren Hoff — Nova Southeastern College, Charles Hugo — University of Northern Iowa, Nancy Hugo — University of Northern Iowa, Stephen Maloney — Pennsylvania State University, Ashley Maynard — Texas A & M University, Alexandra Pesso — High Point University, Sarah Scheuer —University of Georgia,
Hayden Taylor — Brigham Young University, also wrote the board, expressing his appreciation, “I want to thank you for your generous scholarship. Along with my educational goals, I have a personal goal to graduate from college debt free. This scholarship will greatly assist this endeavor. Again, thank you so much.”
The NSPF® Fellowship Program approved $4,000 to one student. The Fellowship program was established to encourage and support graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who are performing risk reduction or health benefit research related to aquatic activities and/or venues such as swimming pools, spas/hot tubs, therapy pools, and waterparks.
The fellowship award of $4,000 was given to Jodi Jensen, M.A., Public Administration. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Management, Hampton University, Hampton, Va.
Ms. Jensen has over 20 years in the aquatics field and is a lifetime love of the water. She has worked in the public sector in parks and recreation before entering full time into academia. In addition to attaining NSPF Instructor status, she has volunteered on the National Red Cross Advisory Committee for revision of the Lifeguard Training program; she also served as member of the Hygiene Technical Committee for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Model Aquatic Health Code.
Her interest includes examining attitudes and beliefs towards aquatics by African Americans, particularly young adults. As part of her application, Ms. Jensen submitted a paper in justification of research for a non-experimental investigation that would address the huge disparity between African Americans versus Caucasians who swim, and the impact on unintentional drowning rates. The study would determine key demographics, family characteristics and environmental factors that differentiate between African American college students who choose to address their at-risk swimming status and those that do not. Her study will be carried out at Hampton University, which is a historically black college and university.
Information on how to apply for scholarships and fellowships is available at www.nspf.org. The NSPF Scholarship/Fellowship Review Committee reviews all submitted applications and awards scholarships and fellowships in the summer of each year.
The National Swimming Pool Foundation® is a non-profit organization founded in 1965, giving back $3.7 million in the past seven years to fund grants to prevent illness, injury, and drowning, and to demonstrate the benefits of aquatic activity. NSPF is the largest and most widely accepted educator of people who care for pools and spas and has trained over 300,000 pool operators in 64 countries. For more information, please visit www.nspf.org.
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