Belize Department of Youth Services awarded Ocean Academy the National Youth Award for Environmentalism. Aquatic Tourism students act as eco-ambassadors as they interpret the island’s ecosystems. The Environmental Club promotes beach cleanups and mangrove restoration projects, and the Gardening Club composts and sells culinary herbs. This is the ninth National Youth Award for Ocean Academy since 2009. Annual National Youth Awards Kayak with Purpose students promote protection of the seahorse colony Mangrove restoration project Culinary herb sales Campus beautification Accepting the award are Kevin, Spenser, Kyra, Whitley, Annabella and...
OA’s Aquatic Tourism Program won the prestigious Beyond Sports 2014 Award in the category Sport for Education (sponsored by UNICEF). The Beyond Sport Awards celebrate and reward the best projects from around the world that use sport to bring about positive social change. Ocean Academy’s project was selected from 350 entries spanning 70 countries. School founders Joni Miller and Heidi Curry were invited to Johannesburg, South Africa October 28-30, 2014 for the Awards ceremony and they represented Belize on an international panel addressing the theme of how sports can inspire youth to become leaders in their communities. In addition to traditional high-school subjects, all Ocean Academy students select an elective and P.E. (physical education) class each semester. Students who select Aquatic Tourism are mentored by skilled tour guides and earn valuable certifications in kayaking, scuba diving, fly fishing or windsurfing, all at no cost thanks for strong partnerships with local tour operators. Workshops in entrepreneurship, marine biology, first aid, tour guiding, communication and leadership skills complement the P.E. program. Sandie Betz-Eisenberg says that “as soon as my son Spenser saw the video of the Aquatic Tourism classes he exclaimed, ‘That’s where I want to go to school!’ His marine biology and especially fly fishing classes have given him the opportunity to pursue his passion for the sea and to get credit for it at the same time. Ocean Academy has been instrumental in connecting Spenser with people who can help him to follow and live his dreams. I believe that we couldn’t ask for more than that, as that is what every parent wishes for their children”. Ocean Academy’s...
Sustainable coastal development is critical to protecting the mangrove flats and ecosystems that support the permit, tarpon and bonefish that fly fishermen love. Instructor Haywood Curry, student Johnny Cantun and classmates in the Ocean Academy Fishing Class made the winning video on the theme of sustainable coastal development for the CZMAI (Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute). Their video was shown as the culminating activity for the 2014 Belize Coastal Awareness...
