From PHTA:
(COLORADO SPRINGS, CO) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has awarded scholarships and fellowships to four university students for the fall 2019 semester. Each year, PHTA’s foundation arm provides scholarships to exceptional applicants who are active Certified Pool & Spa OperatorsSM, PHTA Instructors, or the immediate family of the former. Fellowship recipients must either be enrolled full-time while pursuing an advanced academic degree or a post-doctoral researcher at an academic institution. These students represent some of the brightest and most promising applicants in a competitive pool.
The mission of the PHTF (Pool & Hot Tub Foundation) Scholarship Program is to honor public swimming pool or spa operators who have pursued further education to better protect public health by achieving the PHTA Certified Pool & Spa OperatorSM (CPOSM) certification status. Supporting the education of active CPOSM Certification holders, PHTA Instructors and their families protects the career stability and longevity of our service professionals, ensuring that their call to safeguard public health isn’t threatened by financial concerns. Whether awarded to an industry professional or to that person’s child or spouse, PHTF operates the Scholarship Program as a way to give back.
“We are committed to promoting education in all its formats – including helping CPOSM Certified families attend college,” said PHTA CEO and President Sabeena Hickman, CAE. “We hope that these grants will propel these students to achieve their own goals, and someday help shape the future of the aquatics industry.”
“PHTF is excited to be able to recognize these excellent students and provide grants to them as they work to continue their education,” PHTA Executive Director Jim Mock said. “We’re pleased to be able to help these individuals in their education journey.”
Rachel Cargill of University of South Alabama and Kristen Kohout of University of Wisconsin – Platteville are the recipients of the $2,000 2019 PHTA Board Scholarships. Zachary Barzilay of High Point University in High Point, NC was awarded a $1,000 PHTA Foundation Scholarship.
This year's scholarship applicants detailed the various benefits of aquatic activity, including the physical and mental advantages. Rachel Cargill is working towards a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of South Alabama. She emphasized the profound impacts aquatic activities have on people of all age groups and abilities - even if those activities are seemingly ordinary. Cargill plans to utilize therapeutic pools in her career as an occupational therapist and is excited to assist others in reclaiming lost abilities and maintaining progress made.
The PHTF Fellowship is awarded to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows whose research focuses on the positive health benefits of aquatic activities. The PHTF Fellowship program supports scholars whose efforts connect the aquatics industry's contributions to public health and safety.
Youngwook Kim was awarded a $2,000 PHTF Fellowship to study Disability Disciplines in Pathokinesiology and Athletic Training at Utah State University where he is researching the effectiveness of aquatic balance and mobility exercise models affect older adults and their fall risk. His research focuses on evidence-based design and implementation of aquatic exercises to improve the quality of life in those with disability and disease. Kim was a presenter at the 15th Annual World Aquatic HealthTM Conference in Charleston, SC last fall.
