My name is Dominic Tappella, a long-time Hastings resident and former Hastings High School student (2014–2017) until I impulsively transferred to the School of Environmental Sciences at Minnesota Zoo for my senior year in late August 2017. I have been a career SCUBA and commercial diver since falling in love with the hobby through an “intensive theme” elective course in May 2018. This two-week course (which counted as a gym credit, fun fact) changed my life for the better. I struggled to find a genuine career interest as a high schooler and really didn’t seem to have any motivation until this niche hobby presented itself. Sure enough, this two-week course became my hobby. Then, my hobby quickly turned into a career. 

SCUBA diving has changed my mind, body, spirit, and appreciation for Mother Nature in the most endearing ways possible. It taught me work ethic, discipline, self-confidence, physics, and math, all while giving me a new perspective on life’s wonders below the surface. It helped me find a fiery passion for the underwater world around me, inspiring me to dive for a living as an underwater landscaper for lakes, ponds, and rivers across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. 

Sadly, times are tight for many families, so picking up a unique hobby like SCUBA diving certainly is not affordable for many. In my eyes, it is a shame that young, adventurous kids (like me in high school) have to miss such transformative, healthy hobby opportunities due to price tags. This is precisely why I am passionately advocating for the establishment of a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing high schoolers in Hastings, MN to the magic of SCUBA, just as I experienced at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley. My company, Holy Divers Aquatic Weed Removal & Salvage LLC, is trying to inspire the next generation of aquanauts through education, awareness, technical knowledge, and a team of incredibly passionate underwater enthusiasts at St. Croix SCUBA & Snorkeling. From first contact to completion of certification, the Holy Divers and dive masters at St. Croix hope to jump-start industry interest in the hobby that has given us our livelihoods.

My goal for this project is to inspire the next generation of nature-loving, adventurous underwater fanatics. I aim to self-fund this May 2027 initiative for up to 10 high schoolers (juniors and seniors only to start) at Hastings High School. The program would consist of multiple weeks of classroom training, gear maintenance demonstrations, and eventually pool training at Hastings Middle School. All gear rental, venues, transportation costs, insurance, and labor costs will be covered by Holy Divers & St. Croix SCUBA. Lake training sessions would occur shortly after in June thus allowing these young adults to complete their Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Diver certifications.

We envision ongoing partnerships with existing SCUBA schools, local community centers, and sponsors to develop a sustainable model that can grow and reach children across Minnesota. With community support and potential volunteers, this mission could open doors to new horizons for countless young minds yearning for adventure, structure, and a unique skill. 

Everyone deserves a chance to explore the beauty of our planet, dive into wondrous waters, and grow as a person through a physically & mentally stimulating hobby. I want to provide this chance, a chance that forever changed my life. By signing this petition, you will help us demonstrate the demand for a nonprofit diving program dedicated to high schoolers in YOUR community. From the bottom of my heart, please sign our petition to help bring the joy and adventure of SCUBA diving to Hastings and beyond. Bless your souls.