(Alexandria) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association that represents the swimming pool and hot tub industry, is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 PHTA scholarship. The PHTA Scholarship Program honors public swimming pool and spa operators who pursued additional education in order to protect public health.
Kate Perry and Kaitlin Hamacher are this year’s winners.
The PHTA Board will review the application packages of applicants who are PHTA-certified pool professionals or immediate family members. The essay question for this year was: What would you do with $100,000 to create a water safety programme in your community? How would it help children feel inspired, confident and empowered around water?
Kate Perry, a student at Georgia Southern University, was awarded a $2,000 Board Scholarship. Perry has been certified by the American Red Cross in lifeguarding, first aid and PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO). She has held several jobs in the aquatics sector, including lifeguard, aquatics manager, service technician and swim instructor. Perry’s essay was centered on the generational barriers that cause fear of water, and how to develop a program for children and their primary caregivers. She stressed the importance of having swim instructors who are certified and properly trained in water safety.
Kaitlyn hamacher, a student at Western Michigan University received a $1,000 Foundation Scholarship. Hamacher’s father is a PHTA Certified Professional Instructor. She holds an Associate’s degree in studio arts and now is pursuing a double major in psychology and studio art. In her essay, she explained how multiple layers of protection such as pool covers and swimming safety education can reduce drowning rates. Her program would assist residential pool owners in equipping their pools with safety cover, and provide additional learn to swim programs through initiatives like PHTA’s Step Into Swim.
Rowdy Gaines is the Vice President for Partnerships & Development and the head of Step Into Swim, a drowning prevention program led by Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy. “Perry Hamacher and both Hamacher understand that drowning is a community effort with tangible results. Water safety programs, such as those described in the essays of this year, can make a difference.
The CPO 50 th anniversary luncheon will be held on November 13 at the World Aquatic Health Conference, in Las Vegas, NV. To learn more about the PHTA Scholarship Program, visithttps://www.phta.org/education-and-events/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/.
Contact Amy Willer at [email protected] 703-838-0183 ext. 121.
###
About The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, a non-profit organisation with more than 3,700 members around the globe, was founded in 1956. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of the $36.5B hot tub and pool industry. PHTA offers education, advocacy and standards development as well as research and market growth in order to improve our members’ knowledge and professionalism. PHTA also facilitates research, outreach, and expansion of swimming and water safety activities. These are aimed at introducing people to swimming and making pools safer. Visit www.phta.org for more information.
The post Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Announces Scholarship Recipients first appeared on PoolMagazine.com – Get The Latest Pool News.
