Januari 12th, 2011: Graduation of four Stinapa Rangers at the entrance of the Washington Park
Recently four employees of STINAPA, formerly “Assistant Ranger” passed all the required tests to graduate and receive promotion to “STINAPA Ranger”. One of the goals of STINAPA is that the title “Ranger” become well-respected in the Bonaire community. To achieve this, a policy was put in place that candidates had to take courses and exams.
An candidate enters as an “Assistant Ranger”. They keep that title until they successfully have completed all courses, and then they will be promoted to the position of “STINAPA Ranger”. The courses they must follow are dive-courses up to the level of “Rescue Diver”, First Aid, Basic Mechanics, Computer Skills, Navigation, Public Speaking, Guiding, Basic Knowledge of the STINAPA Foundation, Basic Geology, Geology of the Washington Slagbaai National Park, Ecology of the National Underwater Park, History of the Washington Slagbaai National Park, History of the National Underwater Park, and knowledge of our trees and birds.
The graduates are Suradno Mercera, Michel Meye, Cymbert Sances and Suehendly Barzey. Jack Chalk and Jeannette Nolen, members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, officially installed the Rangers in their new position.
Elsmarie Beukenboom, director of STINAPA congratulated the graduates and remarked that Barzey and Sances were the first employees of STINAPA to complete their courses in such a short time. The graduates who were present also took to the microphone and thanked their colleagues who supported them during their study period. It was not easy but, but with perseverance and dedication of themselves and their instructors they managed. After the ceremony those who were present congratulated the new Rangers and joined in a festive meal to celebrate and to give thanks to a good ending to 2010
