The Our World Underwater Scholarship Society gave me the most amazing opportunity of my life last April. They provided me with the funding and the equipment, and most importantly the connections, to spend from April 2002 to April 2003 traveling the world while having diving-related underwater experiences. I knew this was a special society when I first read through a brochure when I was 16. Five years later I turned 21 and immediately applied for, and won, the title 2002 North American Rolex Scholar of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society.

It has truly been a most interesting year. I can't begin to describe the fabulous dives I have done, the science I have been part of, the skills I have developed, and the hospitality and generosity of the people I have met along the way. My adventures have taken me from Alaska to the Galapagos, with a complete tour of the U.S. east coast, Belize, the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman in between. I drove from North Carolina to San Diego via Texas, and am about to finish up my year by driving up California and over to Chicago to induct the new OWUSS scholar. I have been diving with hammerheads, pycnodopdia, in aquariums, from boats, from shore, in fresh and salt water,. I've taken a shower at 50 feet and eaten M&M's underwater at Aquarius the underwater habitat. I have mastered my underwater camera housing and taken pictures and video to document my experiences. I've learned to dive in currents and in water temps of 42 degrees.

It has really been the people that have made my year so special. Folks have stretched the rules, given me tours, reduced the price, made the price disappear, shared their homes, kept me warm (THANKS D.U.I.!), and supported me throughout the thick and the thin. I could never have enjoyed myself and learned so much this year without them!

For more detailed information about Stefanie's adventures, check out her monthly journals at: www.owuscholarship.org.

Thanks again for everything!

Stef Wells