Thirteen academics have been awarded scholarships and fellowships from NSPF, with a total of $18,000 allocated to provide for the future of the industry through education.
NSPF’s scholarships and fellowships are awarded annually to active Certified Pool/Spa Operators or immediate family members of CPOs or NSPF instructors. Fellowship recipients must be pursuing an advanced academic degree full-time or be a post-doctoral researcher at an academic institution.
Winners of the $1,000 and $2,000 awards were notified in August. The recipients are:
• Celeste Bartels of Kansas State University
• Anne Zeeh Beethe of the University of Pittsburgh
• Kelsie Gillespie of West Virginia University
• Kerry Kohout of the University of Wisconsin
• Lindsey Marx of Brigham Young University
• Matthew Metz of Westmont College
• Bertrand Oubida of Lehman College
• Tiffany Reichert of Texas A&M
• Marcia Shirilla of the University of Delaware
• Hannah Snyder of Appalachian State University
• Savannah Wagner of Dominican College
• Brittany Kaye Wich of Texas State University
“We are all about education. When a member of our CPO Certification family is pursuing a college or advanced degree, we are pleased to help,” says NSPF CEO Thomas M. Lachocki. “We value research that advances the field of aquatics. Each fellowship recipient is performing research related to keeping people safer and active in the water. We are thrilled to aid with the beginning of a career in aquatics.”
One such researcher is Bertrand M. G. Oubida, who is currently studying at Lehman College in New York City, N.Y. “Our world is comprised of almost 71 percent water and only a select few have knowledge of water safety skills. We must fight to change this,” Oubida says. “Change starts with the individual. This scholarship will help me further my education and eventually bring about the change I want to see. Aiding with the development of swim programs in impoverished communities is my end goal, and I am honored to have been helped with some of the cost.”
