3. August 2011 by MSchirmacher.

The July 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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23. July 2011 by KVaughn.

None of the “Magic” is possible without the heart and soul of the many dedicated volunteers who founded and run S.T.A.R.S. International.  Every volunteer unselfishly gives up extensive personal time and comfort to put themselves out there to improve the futures of our youth.  Even with the potential risks to their personal safety ever present, this family of volunteers grows deeps bonds with each youth, sometimes equaling parents/guardians.  I want to personally thank all of the 2011 Kenosha S.T.A.R.S. volunteers and all founding members who have molded the program into what it is today and tomorrow.  A “Special Thanks” to Mark (a master instructor and juggler) for his faithful promotion, mentoring, and perseverance with our participants during our scuba training in his second year serving the program. I can only hope that the water finally drains from my ears before our next weekend of training!

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21. July 2011 by KVaughn.

The kids gave it their all to achieve their second advanced certification yesterday (PADI Underwater Navigation Specialty) and eagerly dove in today to begin their PADI Search & Recovery Specialty.

Both individual and team perseverance is blatantly obvious as the group is completing 5 hours of diving daily this week in the near 100 degree heat.  This does not include the 3 hours of commuting and several hours of reading preparation for the next day of diving.  At the lake the verbal feedback from the kids has spoken reams about the personal transition that each participant is undergoing this week.  Each youth is growing outside of their comfort zone and personal energy limitations.

Special thanks to all of the S.T.A.R.S. staff who have given their valuable personal time to ensure the success of this week’s event.  Friday we search again for the light at the end of the tunnel and reach a week of not less than 20 dives.  The photos on the website (posted daily) tell only a small piece of the story of S.T.A.R.S. creating tomorrow’s “Guardians of the Sea”.

Thanks for reading…. we miss all who could not attend!

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19. July 2011 by KVaughn.

Another sun-filled scorching day greeted the S.T.A.R.S. International divers at Pearl Lake!  Students flawlessly completed their final Open Water dive and the associated skills under the watchful eyes Divemaster Ana and Instructors Mark & Kev.  Divers reviewed the academics for both their Wreck diving and Peak Performance adventure dives before immersing into the refreshing lake.

The highlight of the day was preparation for the Navigation Specialty certification dives planned for Wednesday.  As a collateral achievement participants completed the second of three required dives for a new S.T.A.R.S. distinctive specialty dubbed “Puke Penetration”.  This unique certification is designed to provide divers with buoyancy and navigation confidence as they circumvent low visibility puke clouds left from fellow divers.  Good luck in advance to Puke Diver #3.

Could things get better… we are encouraged by the return and early success of four former graduates (Jessie, Claudet, Jorge, and Rango (aka Sebastian) who have returned with new personal goals for S.T.A.R.S.  We are missing many of our established S.T.A.R.S. staff who have typically brought a “Smile” to this annual week of operations.  Stay tuned for ANY THING to come!!!

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18. July 2011 by MarkN.

After a little concern early this morning over the weather,  we decided to chance it in spite of rain chances.  And it was a sound decision.  There was a minor rain shower before our first dive to keep things cool but after that the weather cooperated very nicely.

Today was the first opportunity at Open Water for these students and they did very well.  Everything went off on time and like clockwork.  Everyone adjusted to 12 foot of underwater visibility and accomplished skills like they had done it before.

We set up on the East side of the Lake and saw all the underwater attractions on that side.

Two dives were completed on time before lunch with tanks being filled while we ate.

And the two after lunch went just as well as the morning dives.

Day 1 Complete!  Congrats to ALL!

Mark Niewoehner

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26. June 2011 by KVaughn.

·         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

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25. June 2011 by KVaughn.

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 Scoring

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23. June 2011 by MSchirmacher.

The June 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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15. June 2011 by KVaughn.

·         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.

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12. June 2011 by KVaughn.

·         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.

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