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T.R.U.E Dive Team

Do you love scuba diving? I know I do. I'm passionate about a lot of things but one of my biggest passions is the True Dive Team. True stands for (Teen, Research, Underwater, Explorers). Being a member of True has opened up so many doors in my life, and it's allowed me to have many amazing experiences. A lot of these experiences have had an impact on the world, even if it's not a big one. Some of the benefits to being on True dive team are that I get to: participate in fish counts and reef clean ups, help injured special forces members learn to dive, and, finally, I get to help collect coral spawn in the Keys.

First, let me tell you a few of the basic things True does. True is a small group of 8th-12th grade kids who are interested in scuba diving and science. In True we take many certifications like navigation, nitrox, first response, oxygen administration, and open water. I can use these skills in the science aspect of True, which includes regular fish counts and reef clean ups. We get to go on dives and collect data on the fish population in a specific area. We then turn in our data to different organizations. These organizations then use the data to see how healthy a body of water is. True is also very involved in Helping others. I get to participate in charitable activities such as Toys for Tots, food drives, and teaching others the basics of diving.

As a member of True I also get to participate in other activities. One of my favorite parts of True is our trip to the Keys over the summer. Whenever we visit the Keys, we get to do really amazing things. One of the things we've done in the past is go down to Key West and dive with ex-Special forces who were wounded in battle. They are commonly referred to as Wounded Warriors. These Wounded Warriors are simply amazing people. When we get to Key West we stay on one of the air force bases located there. This air force base is also the home to the training facility of S.F.U.W.O. (Special Forces Underwater Operations), and it's the only facility like it in the world. It has a great pool which we use to help teach the Wounded Warriors to dive again. Many of the Wounded Warriors have to wear prosthetic limbs that are specially adapted to be used underwater. In talking to these Wounded Warriors and being able to dive with them I have really come to appreciate how fortunate we all are. It truly is amazing that even in their situation they stay positive and in shape(they're some of the fittest people I know). This affects a group of men and woman who served our country, no matter how small. This shows my thanks for the time they served and the sacrifices they made. At the end of the day though, I really feel blessed to be able to meet these people, and none of it would've been possible without True.

However, working with Wounded Warriors isn't the only activity we take part in when we visit the Keys. Most years we travel to Key Largo to take part in a very special mission. This mission is to catch coral spawn. First, you must know what coral spawn is. Coral is a lot like plants on land, but they're more complex organisms. Coral is believed to be able to communicate with other coral, and in this way, some species of coral organize a mass event that occurs once a year. This event is the release of coral spawn which is a lot like when trees and plants release pollen on land.

Our mission is to be there when the coral spawn is released so we can catch some for scientists to grow in a lab. The problem is that it's impossible to know the exact day this will happen, and it usually occurs on a full moon around midnight. Even though it is difficult, it is definitely worth while when we get to see the final product, which is that scientists can grow coral which can then be planted back in the oceans to help repair spots where ships ran a ground. This entire process impacts the world by helping to keep our oceans beautiful for generations to come. This is just another amazing experience made possible through True.

Now you can see why my passion is True. I like True so much because it opens so many doors for me in my life, and it allows me to participate in some really amazing things. Now you know how with True participate in fish counts and reef clean ups, help injured special forces members learn to dive, and, finally, I get to help collect coral spawn in the Keys. So all in all my passion impacts the world in a range of different ways. The main way however is that I can give back to the oceans I love as well as to the country I love. I hope I can make a lasting relationship with the True organization and all of it's members.