Archive for June 2011

As of Week #11 I have learned that ….

·         I can use a compass

·         My scuba buddies are my brothers

·         I got disappointed by learning I was not going on a trip (many many many responses)

·         Scuba can kill you if you push the limits

·         I like diving

·         I learn quickly

·         I was displeased with myself because I almost quit the program

·         I can do more that I thought

·         I am becoming a better person

·         I could successfully pass the open water exam

·         I can really do things that I thought I could not

·         I could communicate with people underwater

·         I can do a lot of things if I put my mind to it

·         I was surprised that I got through this program because I didn’t think I was going to make it

·         I can learn things that sometimes I don’t really want to learn

·         I really liked this program

·         I don’t think there would be any other program better than this one

·         I am displeased that I don’t get to go to the Caribbean

2011 S.T.A.R.S. Underwater Competition Invitational Results

Team A - Special Forces (Kenosha 2011 Participants) 4th Place

Team B - Team Wet (Kenosha 2011 Participants) 3rd Place

Team C - Blackjacks (Elgin, IL 2010 Graduates) 1st Place

Team D - Scuba Steves (Elgin, IL 2006/2007 Graduates) 2nd Place

Event Timing & Penalties

Event

Team A Team B Team C Team D
Skin Diver 2:14 2:40 1:46 2:09
Penalty :40 :40 :40 :40
Ping Pong 3:23 2:57 2:26 2:45
Penalty 1:30 1:00 2:00 2:00
Pipe Puzzle —- 10:05 12:03 11:57
Penalty        
Tricycle 4:30 5:12 3:59 3:40
Penalty       :10
One Fin 7:32 7:32 6:53 6:27
Penalty       1:00
Tether 7:13 6:52 3:30 1:11
Penalty        
Obstacle 5:07 5:44 4:02 5:03
Penalty :50 :40 :20 1:30
Golf Ball        
Ball Count 33 34 86 76
Penalty   -5 -40 -20

Event Scoring

Event

Team A Team B Team C Team D
Skin Diver 3rd 4th 1st 2nd
Ping Pong 4th 1st 2nd 3rd
Pipe Puzzle 4th 1st 3rd 2nd
Tricycle 3rd 4th 2nd 1st
One Fin 4th 3rd 1st 2nd
Tether 4th 3rd 2nd 1st
Obstacle 2nd 3rd 1st 4th
Golf Ball 3rd 4th 2nd 1st
Total 27 – 4th 23 -3rd 14 – 1st 16 – 2nd

The June newsletter is now available.

The June newsletter has been posted to the Newsletter Archives page. You can view this issue by clicking here or visiting the archives page.

As of Week #10 the investment in my future by others has the following Return on Investment (ROI)….

·         Your investment in me has improved my leadership skills.  I learned how to work with a team better.  I have learned how to get along with people better.  Otherwise this whole experience will help me help me in the military when I join.  Not only will I be the most prepared in the military but I will be the best in there, and being the best is what I like most.  Also if I choose not to join the military, or go to college, I will know that I would have a new talent that could give me a career.

·         We are now halfway through the program and it has changed my life to make me healthier and improve my behavior.  My life was bad when I started the program and it is getting better.  I was on the streets but now my life is into school, home, and my family.  This program is cool and I learned a lot of things like; how it feels to be underwater.  I have met new people and I now trust them with my life which is cool.

·         This investment in me has given me the chance to learn about the opportunities scuba diving provides.  Everything has really changed my life.  The program has changed me and made me want to Finish things.  This is the first thing I will start and finish.  All of us in the program have become closer, and we look at each other as a family sometimes.  The fitness/PT part has made me last longer under the water and it all motivated me to do brand new things.  I really like all the scuba equipment and the way it works.  I think this program is good for kids that are trying to change their lives because it changed me.

·         The program has opened a new life to me.  It has shown me new affects of life and new things you can see and do underwater.  Being a certified diver can open up many careers to you.  If you choose to continue being a diver you can pursue a career in the U.S. military or even be a rescue diver.  Personally I have plans on going to the military for Engineering.  Now that I have been taking classes for scuba diving, I could become a diving engineer for the Navy, a Navy Seal, or something.

·         At the halfway point in the program it opened our eyes to something unique and new.  Most of us have become brothers because of this program and at first we hated each other.  If we wanted to become a Navy Seal this program would help us get to that goal quicker.  It has helped me calm down and control my anger and ADHD problems.  This program will help me on my quest to become an all American football player, become a U.S. Marine, and finally finish college.

·         It has helped me/us to learn more about diving, SeaSigns, and other things.  For one thing I never would have known how to use SeaSigns (ASL) communication or anything else that S.T.A.R.S. has taught me.    I think I have become a better person in life.  I want to also mention how I have been doing in school.  I like using wetsuits because I am not as cold while diving without one.

·         The things that I have learned have gotten us far into the program and the staff has provided us with the equipment to scuba dive.  The program spent money wisely and they don’t spend it on McDonalds.  The program buys the stuff they are supposed to and they don’t buy us candy.

As of Week #8 what is the biggest change you have seen in yourself since beginning to learn scuba?

·         I have seen that I am more energized in the morning and all day.

·         My growing ability to trust others.

·         I now find myself trusting others.

·         I am more physically fit and stuff like that.

·         I can tolerate pain more.

·         I more able to think clearly.

·         I am more patient with others and willing to help out those falling behind.

·         I have noticed that I’ve become more of a leader to people around me.

·         I am busy practically all week now, but in the long run it will be worth it.

·         I improved my ability to run and I can run even longer distance in a faster time.

·         I can run faster and farther every day and do more pushups and keep up with our instructor.

·         I can last longer in the water and I know a lot more stuff about scuba diving.

·         I have gotten stronger, faster, and more focused since I joined S.T.A.R.S.

As of Week #7 when I work in a team of 2 or more, I would describe my contribution to the team as….

·         Good leadership skills to help my team complete the mission.

As of Week #6 what has been the impact of your participation in S.T.A.R.S. on your relationship and communication with your family?

·         I have improved my communications.

·         I learned to handle my problems with them.

The May newsletter is now available.

The May newsletter has been posted to the Newsletter Archives page. You can view this issue by clicking here or visiting the archives page.

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