(2-minute read)
I had the joy of attending DEMA which marked the halfway point of my scholarship year! This was my first time ever attending an event like this and it was really fun seeing all the different aspects of the diving industry.
Here I was also able to say hello to my sponsors, past and future hosts, and present my mid-year video which I am really proud of!
At this show, I had a lot of fun spending time with my coordinator Anya Hanson (2005 NA Scholar) and OWUSS Vice President Robin MacFadden Parish (1976 NA Scholar). I was shown around all the different booths, met some new names and faces, and I even became a Women Divers Hall of Fame Associate!
I even had the chance to meet our gear sponsors from many of the companies such as Halcyon, Fourth Element, Light and Motion, Reef Photo and Video, DUI, and Aqualung who have been supporting OWUSS Scholars for years and I loved finally being able to meet them in person.
Here at DEMA I was able to present my mid-year video at the OWUSS DEMA breakfast. For the last month I have been working on this project and it was my first time ever creating a video. Leading up to the day, I was a little bit nervous about presenting it. However, after showing everyone at the breakfast and sharing it with my friends and family, I got a lot of positive feedback, which I really appreciated.
It was fun learning how to make a video and with this support, I have a newfound confidence for my next video project!
While at DEMA, I also had the opportunity to attend the NOGI Awards. It was amazing seeing all these powerhouses within the diving world and hearing the awardees speak about their experiences. And as a woman myself, it was also really cool seeing all the Women Divers Hall of Fame Members at this event.
It was very exciting meeting everyone at the awards ceremony…especially a certain ocean celebrity.
I always love spending time in places where there people within the underwater world, whether it be from a photography/videography, recreational, research, or creative standpoint. I was inspired by every conversation I had at DEMA and I am hoping to attend next year.
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to chat, teach me a thing or two, and get to know me a little bit better. I left DEMA with a extra pep in my step and a growing eagerness to continue working toward my goals (and even surpass them) the rest of this wonderful scholarship year.
Thank you to the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society and our sponsor Rolex for making this scholarship experience a possibility. I would also like to thank Reef Photo and Video, Nauticam and Light and Motion for my underwater camera setup as well as Aqualung, Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon, and DUI for my diving equipment.
