Application Process
The
Dolores (Deo) Fisher Award will be given
annually to one young woman between the ages of
16 and 21 or to one young woman between 22 and
30. Finalists in each age group will compete for
the $1,000 cash award and trophy.
Four Requirements:
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A 1,000 word essay describing how the candidate hopes to make a difference in the world through her passion for the oceans;
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A written statement outlining career goals, where along her path the candidate is, where she expects to be by May of the award year, and how the Dolores E. Fisher Award will help her achieve these goals;
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Three letters of recommendation sealed by the author.
The complete application package should be mailed to:
Curator,
Department of Education
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
200 Greene St.
Key West, FL 33040
The award cycle opens in January and closes by mid-March 2009. There is a six-member selection committee that will decide upon and notify the winner by May 15, 2009. Certificates of honorable mention will also be awarded. The committee reserves the right not to award the prize. Final decisions may bebased on phone or personal interviews.
GIVING
The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society is a
501 (c)(3) accredited,
not-for-profit organization existing for the purpose of accumulating and disseminating information; providing educational services to the public on maritime and colonial activity in the New World and preserving maritime culture resources.
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 In order to cultivate and support the study of the oceans, the education department of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society annually presents an award in honor of Dolores (Deo) Fisher's extraordinary achievements and passion for the oceans.
A cash honorarium of $1,000 and a trophy will be awarded by May 15, 2009 to a young woman, aged 35 or younger, who demonstrates strong, refined ocean-related career goals. Additionally, the recipient of the award will be invited to spend behind-the-scenes time at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
About Dolores E. Fisher
Partner
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Record Breaker
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Mother
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 Born in Montana, Dolores Fisher moved to California with her family in the early 1950s where she met her husband, Melvin Fisher. She became Mel's dive buddy and business partner. Together, they started the first dive shop in the world in Redondo Beach, California. In the pool of the Hermosa Biltmore, they taught more than 65,000 novices how to begin enjoying the underwater world. Eventually, they moved to Florida to hunt for shipwrecks. Their family, together with associated divers, is credited with many shipwreck discoveries. Most notably, they discovered the 1622 Spanish Galleons Santa Margarita and Nuestra Senora de Atocha, and the 1701 slave ship, the Henrietta Marie. These finds were a catalyst for marine archaeology and conservation efforts leading to new interpretations of poorly documented periods of history.
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Dolores Fisher is passionate about the oceans and their exploration. She was the first woman to sail aboard and fully participate in several of the vessels used in Mel's search. Deo established the underwater endurance record in the Hermosa Aquarium by staying underwater for over 55 hours and 37 minutes (55:37:9.6) using SCUBA |
Deo and Mel had four children: Dirk, Kim, Taffi and Kane. When her children were young, SCUBA gear for children was commercially unavailable. In order to provide safe diving gear for her children, Deo custom-made equipment for them. |
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2008 Award Winners
FIRST PLACE WINNER
 Aurora Alifano, a scientific diver, graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology. Currently, she is completing her Master of Science in Marine Science at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Upon graduation, her career aspiration is to direct a diving safety program at an academic institution, integrating marine education and dive medicine.
Aurora named determination, “I can do anything if I view obstacles as opportunities,” and imagination, “A good leader can always find new and creative ways to motivate their team,” as the personality characteristics she values most in herself.
Aurora’s winning essay “Making Waves” elucidates her passion for the oceans and her plans for building a capacity for change through her work advancing marine research, and promoting dive safety and education.
READ HER ESSAY
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FIRST RUNNER UP
 Jenna Algee is an accomplished Marine Biology student at the Maine Maritime Academy. She is planning a career in environmental law with a focus on marine policy and hopes to play a role in decreasing the risks facing our oceans.
Jenna named curiosity as the personality characteristic she values most and reflected, “I believe curiosity is the most valuable characteristic a student can have. I am always interested in what I am learning and have never been afraid to ask questions.”
Jenna’s essay outlines her plans to enact change regarding the risk factors facing our marine environments and portrays her awareness of the interconnected nature of humans and the health of our oceans.
READ HER ESSAY
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