De Soto High School is home to many unique students, each with individual  talents and hobbies. One student in particular who participates in a specifically unique hobby is senior Sydney Selk.

    Selk has recently acquired her scuba certification during a 20 hour program over the course of three days.

    “My reason for getting scuba certified at first was for a new hobby,” Selk said, “but the more I did it [scuba diving], the more I liked it.”

    For a hobby so uncommon for the state of Kansas (due to its lack of ocean), Selk has become very invested in the activity.

    “I started scuba diving in the eighth grade,” Selk said. “My mom was the one who got me started … [now] it has the potential of being a career [for myself].”

    Although the program took roughly three days, a lot of training and tests were packed into the course.

    “The process consists of three things: class work, which are tests and book work to strengthen your knowledge of scuba diving, pool training to learn skills needed and open water dives, [which] are completely different from a pool and shows if you’re capable of it [scuba diving],” Selk said.

    As many athletic hobbies come with risks, scuba diving comes with its own hazards as well.

    “Scuba diving is potentially dangerous because [of] equipment malfunctions, marine life and overall health [risks],” Selk said.

    Regardless of the potential risks, scuba diving is worth it to Selk.

    “It takes a lot of patience and mental stability because you are in an atypical environment,” Selk said. “It’s nice because it gets me away from all the technology and everyday stress … it’s extremely peaceful.”

    For Selk, this hobby has become a passion that subjects her to new experiences.

    “[Scuba diving] enables me to see things from a different point of view that some people don’t get to see and explore cool, new places,” Selk said.