By Joni Valencia | Projects Director
Students eat fire and walk over broken glass
"Make It Happen", "Do your best the first time" and "Crazy people succeed" were messages shared by high-energy motivational speaker Bert Oliva with Ocean Academy students last week. To demonstrate the power of self-confidence and mind over matter, students were invited to eat fire and walk on glass. They did it! They can do anything!
Kyle Requena wins National Award for Youth in Tourism
Kyle excels in Ocean Academy's Aquatic Tourism Physical Education (P.E.). He is a certified Advanced Scuba Diver, Community Reef Technician, skilled kayaker and keen fly-fisherman. Kyle shares his love of Caye Caulker, marine eco-systems and aquatic sports with visitors and he is well deserving of this national honour. Congratulations!
Dr. Corinth Morter Lewis is Ocean Academy's Counsellor
Ocean Academy is very fortunate to have one of Belize's most experienced counsellors working with our students on campus every Thursday and Friday. Mothers and fathers packed the room for Dr. Lewis's first parent evening workshop: "How to Communicate with your Teenager".
Dr. Lewis was born in Belize City, educated in Belize and the U.S., and earned her PhD in Alberta, Canada. She is a chartered psychologist, President Emeritus and current adjunct professor with the University of Belize. Dr. Lewis's position at Ocean Academy is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan.
Students share dreams via skype with Peter Strople and Caterina Barregar
Students shared their career dreams this week with two of Ocean Academy friends and supporters; Peter Strople is known as the "most connected man in America" and former director with Dell Computer Corps, and Caterina Barregar helps people with Imagine Life Coaching.
Elvis wants to be a marine mechanic; Mathew likes computer programming; Anisa dreams of a life in the performing arts; Lilly wants to study law; Sean wants to be an engineer; Evelio hopes to be a pilot; Saira plans to become an architect; Kimberly is intrigued by a career as a detective; Annabella wants to run a hotel and Ashtashia would like to be a pastry chef. These are just some of the dreams and aspirations that Ocean Academy students expressed.
Peter and Caterina plan to connect students with career mentors and help them along the path of realizing their dreams.
"Kayak with Purpose" Entrepreneurial Program gets a new fleet
Our six brand-new school kayaks have arrived! Thank you to Jackson Kayaks, Kenco and a CARSI grant from the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan.
Visitors can book a kayak trip with Kyle Requena and other trained students for an island youth's interpretation of Caye Caulker. Highlights include visting a seahorse colony, feeding tarpon, exploring mangrove ecosystems and seeing the entrance to an underwater cave. Earnings support the students' families, school tuition and school.
The photo attached to this report shows our inagural trip in the new Jackson kayaks with students from Stevenson School, California (our partner as a NOAA Ocean Guardian School).
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