The scholar was named at a presentation evening hosted at the Telford Whitehouse Hotel last night after a campaign to find a very special young person from the Borough.
Lois Adams, aged 15 and from the Abraham Darby School, was awarded the 2014 Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship after a gruelling application process that demonstrated her genuine enthusiasm for learning to dive and to discover more about the underwater natural World.
Lois shone through her well written and thoughtful application; her responses during lightning round interviews with Richard Langton of the Trust, Georgia’s Dad Steve Williams, and Jo Flack from Immerse School of Diving; and her enthusiasm during a PADI Discover Scuba Diving try dive with Peter Vickers of Immerse School of Diving where along with the other shortlisted applicants she tried scuba diving for the very first time.
As the 2014 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar, Lois will have the chance to pursue an interest in the underwater World, and in turn to enable other young people to have access to scuba diving activities. Lois will learn to become a fully qualified scuba diver and will train to attain PADI Master Scuba Diver rating – the highest non-professional scuba diving qualification with the World’s most recognised and respected diving agency, with Immerse School of Diving in Telford. In addition, Lois will experience a range of scuba diving experiences tailored to her keen interest in biology, and will have a chance to meet some of the leading names within the scuba diving industry. Lois will also fulfil an advocacy role for the Trust, and will be responsible for raising awareness of the work of the Trust and its aims amongst young people in the Borough.
“I feel extremely privileged to have become The Georgia Williams Immerse Diving Scholar for 2014, especially since the other candidates were so inspirational. It has also been an honour to have met members of Immerse School of Diving, The Georgia Williams Trust and especially Steve and Lynette Williams, who are giving young people an opportunity to follow their dreams. I realise that this next year is going to be extremely hard work, but I am ready for the challenge!” says Lois Adams.
But in a surprise moment, Richard Langton of the Trust also announced that the two runners-up in this year’s Scholarship selection would also follow their dreams, and would also become PADI scuba divers with Immerse School of Diving.
Through the application process Chloe Forrester, 15 of Wrockwardine Wood School, demonstrated a keen interest in learning to scuba dive for the spirit of adventure which is encompassed in the hobby, but also to pursue a love of history by visiting underwater heritage. George Ellison, 11, of Thomas Telford School wowed the judging panel with maturity beyond his years, his love of the water and his interest in pursuing a career as a marine biologist.
Both runners up will undertake their PADI Open Water course alongside the Scholar with Immerse School of Diving, and funded by the Trust. Upon completion, both Chloe and George will be able to continue to scuba dive, just as they’d hoped when applying for the Scholarship.
George Ellison said “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Lois. But I don’t feel that I have lost out and am very excited to be undertaking the PADI open water course. This course will set me well on the road to pursuing my interest in marine biology. I am pleased that I will be taking part in this alongside Chloe and Lois and together we are able to raise awareness and funds for The Georgia Williams Trust”.
The annual Scholarship is jointly funded by The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving. The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship is also supported by Monty Halls. Monty is a well-known BBC television presenter, with a particular record of making adventure and natural history series.
“We set a very high bar for the Scholarship with the aim of finding one truly exceptional young person who would live up to the visions and values of the Georgia Williams Trust. To say we were blown away by the standard of applications received is an understatement. To find not one but three amazing and passionate young people, who will all now have a chance to become scuba divers, was more than anyone involved in the Scholarship had ever hoped. It stands as testament to the young people we have in Telford & Wrekin. And especially for the selected Scholar, Lois Adams, this represents a life changing opportunity and the start of a wonderful lifelong underwater adventure”. Tony Flack, Owner and Instructor, Immerse School of Diving.