The Tribune

MONICE Nazon is moving quickly through the stages of diver certifications, having recently become qualified as a rescue diver.

Since starting to dive last October as a member of the Kingsway Scuba Club, Monice, 17, has completed three Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certifications with Bahamas Divers.

“I am still discovering a whole new world in which nature is largely untouched,” Monice said. “Every time I dive, the scenery changes and new marine animals come to greet me.”

Monice’s mother, Alicia Tai, describes her daughter as “confident and determined”. “She was excited to complete dives with divers much older than she is … this made her more driven to achieve. The team at Bahama Divers was very accommodating and made the experience a joy. Monice can now check Rescue Diver certification off her list,” Ms Tai said.

It was all about “moving beyond the challenges to gain both appreciation and respect for the possible dangers of scuba diving,” said Monice. “There is definitely the need for total concentration and a healthy dose of humility for strong team spirit. I am more than just aware of my surroundings, I am totally enjoying my underwater visits to reefs and dive sites.”

Attaining such a prestigious honour was possible with the support and sacrifice of family and friends. Now Monice is hoping to be able to attain her Master Diver Card, which is the highest rank in recreational scuba.

Her Kingsway club colleague, Selerstine Fortune, has completed her Advanced Open Water Certification. She first took note of the possibility to dive as a student during Club Rush, when teachers and club leaders promote their club activities to the high school students.

She took her first dive in grade ten with Kingsway’s Scuba Club team last October. Selerstine wants to become both a marine biologist and software developer, hoping to design technical equipment for easier and more accurate underwater exploration and research.

Selerstine began swimming at eight and has trained with SeeBes Club and Team Orca, and has always had a love of the ocean. She completed her externship, a programme where grade 11 students explore field experiences in their putative careers at Dolphin Cay.

There she teamed up with other eager students with similar interests to monitor the pool filters for the dolphins and check and adjust the dolphins’ environment. “I was permitted to administer eye drops and feed the dolphins. Everything is coming together - my three-day experience and my diving certification. I am well on my way to making my dreams come true,” she said.