Help Scuba Queen USA win Miss Scuba International
Donation protected
Hi! I am Rachel Cushman (Scuba Queen USA), seeking donations to support my journey to compete (and Win!) for the title of Miss Scuba INTERNATIONAL.
This past May I was crowned Scuba Queen USA (Woohoo! Thank you, America!) – a platform to promote safe diving practices and marine conservation. As Scuba Queen USA, I will be the American representative for Miss Scuba International.
WITH YOUR HELP, I WILL MAKE USA PROUD!!
Scuba diving is in my blood. My purpose in life is to help audiences everywhere develop a relationship with the ocean and the life that lives in it. I am very honored to hold this USA title, as it recognizes my lifetime dedication to scuba diving and ocean advocacy.
WHAT IS MISS SCUBA INTERNATIONAL?
An intensive 3-week competition held in Malaysia at Sipadan Mabul this November, where young women from over 25 nations represent their home country in ocean conservation using their skills to promote stewardship for a better ocean.
Competition Activities Include:
- Conservation workshops
- Charity events
- Press presentations
- Public speaking seminars
- Catwalk training
- Scuba diving (of course!!)
- Pageant competition, including talent show, national costumes, bathing suits, formal wear, on-stage questions and final crowning of the winner.
The winning delegate of the Miss Scuba International competition will undertake a year of ocean conservation campaigns, traveling around the world representing female empowerment in the scuba industry and act as a global advocate for ocean conservation.
I LIVE FOR THIS - I HAVE DEDICATED MY ENTIRE LIFE & CAREER TO THIS.
Born & raised on the beaches of California, I’m the daughter of a lifeguard chief who introduced me to the underwater world at a very young age. I wrote book reports on Jacques Cousteau & scuba equipment before I could get certified, and eagerly earned my open water diving certification on my 12th birthday.
In high school, I started scuba snorkel clubs, organized beach cleanups, earned a marine science pathway cord, and even quit the cheerleading team to pursue my Advanced Rescue certification.
In college, I joined the broadcasting company on campus to host news segments about local environmental events. I earned my Bachelor’s in Marine Biology from Cal State University, Long Beach and also studied Anthropology to better my understanding of humans and our relationship to the environment.
For the past 8 years I have worked at the Aquarium of the Pacific as the Assistant Dive Safety Officer, managing 200+ divers conducting over 20,000 dives per year. My primary role is to recruit & train new dive volunteers on safe diving practices, animal husbandry, and educational shows for the public. I am a NAUI certified scuba instructor, specialized in teaching high school students advanced scuba skills and intro to scientific diving.
As an intern for California Department of Fish and Wildlife I conducted over 544 hours of independent research on commercial passenger vessels, managed 30-100 anglers daily for proper data collection, with over 387 hours of lab work, which allowed me to improve sustainable fish handling protocols and data processing procedures for more accurate and effective classification and preservation of fish species.
In the past 4 years I have had the pleasure of being a sales representative and model for SlipIns Diveskins, TUSA, Oceaner Wetsuits, and Dive1stAid. My favorite part of scuba modeling and sales has been the passionate interactions with scuba industry professionals at trade shows and conventions.
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME...
It feels a bit like “Global Girl Scout Scuba Camp” but as an experienced industry professional I have my eyes, heart, and brain set on making a big difference in this world. I am very excited to spend time with young women from all over the world who are passionate about scuba diving, ocean conservation, and girly glamour stuff! I have been preparing for this my entire life, and I know I will learn so much more from these women & workshops, but I still have one obstacle:
I NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO GET THERE!
I am asking for donations to help me cover the costs of travel and apparel. Anything helps, so if you have any other way you’d be willing to support me, please let me know!
Thank you so much for reading my story and believing in me. I will pour my heart & brains into this competition, and with your help I will to make USA proud!
Thank you for supporting my dreams :)
This past May I was crowned Scuba Queen USA (Woohoo! Thank you, America!) – a platform to promote safe diving practices and marine conservation. As Scuba Queen USA, I will be the American representative for Miss Scuba International.
WITH YOUR HELP, I WILL MAKE USA PROUD!!
Scuba diving is in my blood. My purpose in life is to help audiences everywhere develop a relationship with the ocean and the life that lives in it. I am very honored to hold this USA title, as it recognizes my lifetime dedication to scuba diving and ocean advocacy.
WHAT IS MISS SCUBA INTERNATIONAL?
An intensive 3-week competition held in Malaysia at Sipadan Mabul this November, where young women from over 25 nations represent their home country in ocean conservation using their skills to promote stewardship for a better ocean.
Competition Activities Include:
- Conservation workshops
- Charity events
- Press presentations
- Public speaking seminars
- Catwalk training
- Scuba diving (of course!!)
- Pageant competition, including talent show, national costumes, bathing suits, formal wear, on-stage questions and final crowning of the winner.
The winning delegate of the Miss Scuba International competition will undertake a year of ocean conservation campaigns, traveling around the world representing female empowerment in the scuba industry and act as a global advocate for ocean conservation.
I LIVE FOR THIS - I HAVE DEDICATED MY ENTIRE LIFE & CAREER TO THIS.
Born & raised on the beaches of California, I’m the daughter of a lifeguard chief who introduced me to the underwater world at a very young age. I wrote book reports on Jacques Cousteau & scuba equipment before I could get certified, and eagerly earned my open water diving certification on my 12th birthday.
In high school, I started scuba snorkel clubs, organized beach cleanups, earned a marine science pathway cord, and even quit the cheerleading team to pursue my Advanced Rescue certification.
In college, I joined the broadcasting company on campus to host news segments about local environmental events. I earned my Bachelor’s in Marine Biology from Cal State University, Long Beach and also studied Anthropology to better my understanding of humans and our relationship to the environment.
For the past 8 years I have worked at the Aquarium of the Pacific as the Assistant Dive Safety Officer, managing 200+ divers conducting over 20,000 dives per year. My primary role is to recruit & train new dive volunteers on safe diving practices, animal husbandry, and educational shows for the public. I am a NAUI certified scuba instructor, specialized in teaching high school students advanced scuba skills and intro to scientific diving.
As an intern for California Department of Fish and Wildlife I conducted over 544 hours of independent research on commercial passenger vessels, managed 30-100 anglers daily for proper data collection, with over 387 hours of lab work, which allowed me to improve sustainable fish handling protocols and data processing procedures for more accurate and effective classification and preservation of fish species.
In the past 4 years I have had the pleasure of being a sales representative and model for SlipIns Diveskins, TUSA, Oceaner Wetsuits, and Dive1stAid. My favorite part of scuba modeling and sales has been the passionate interactions with scuba industry professionals at trade shows and conventions.
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME...
It feels a bit like “Global Girl Scout Scuba Camp” but as an experienced industry professional I have my eyes, heart, and brain set on making a big difference in this world. I am very excited to spend time with young women from all over the world who are passionate about scuba diving, ocean conservation, and girly glamour stuff! I have been preparing for this my entire life, and I know I will learn so much more from these women & workshops, but I still have one obstacle:
I NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO GET THERE!
I am asking for donations to help me cover the costs of travel and apparel. Anything helps, so if you have any other way you’d be willing to support me, please let me know!
Thank you so much for reading my story and believing in me. I will pour my heart & brains into this competition, and with your help I will to make USA proud!
Thank you for supporting my dreams :)
Organizer
Rachel Cushman
Organizer
Los Alamitos, CA
