Social Seens... Photography by Gram
SCUBAnauts Gala
“The Ocean Through the Lens of Our Future” was the theme of the annual fundraising gala for SCUBAnauts International,
an organization that educates teens in the marine sciences, enabling them to make a positive impact on the environment and
empowering them to become tomorrow’s leaders. The dinner was held at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, where David Doubilet
and his wife Jennifer Hayes, photographers for National Geographic, spoke about their experiences under the seas. Headquartered
in Dunedin, there are SCUBAnauts chapters in Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Savannah, Georgia; and
Morehead City, North Carolina.
Garrett Cooper and his wife, Katie Shoultz
Cooper, chief operating officer and dive
safety officer of SCUBAnauts International,
believe in the mission of this organization.
Kari Pedersen and The Honorable Jack
Espinosa Jr., a former Circuit Judge in
Tampa, attended this fundraiser to help
support the SCUBAnauts group in its efforts
to educate and empower teens.
Gala chair Kristin McIntire and her husband
Jeff, whose son is a SCUBAnaut, were among
the silent auction sponsors for this annual
fundraiser.
Puttin’ on the Glitz
144 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Photography by Gram
The St. Pete Glitter Queens, a “social krewe with a giving heart,” is made up of 23 women who have raised more than $500,000
together since 2012 for children’s charitable organizations in Pinellas County. The group hosted its 10th Anniversary Royal Ball
in St. Petersburg during the evening of top hats, tiaras and glitter, along with a silent auction, dinner and dancing. It benefited
Suncoast Voices for Children, which provides for the unmet physical, psychological, educational and social needs of our abused,
abandoned and neglected young people.
John Dargan and Elaine Stewart, who moved
here from Scotland, enjoyed dancing to the
music of The Black Honkeys during the
St. Pete Glitter Queens’ 10th Anniversary Ball.
Veronica Dunn, an original Glitter Queens
founder and a board member, participated in
a dance routine, while Rick Parsons, known
as Ricky P, served as the benefit’s emcee.
Laura Liebel, a Glitter Queens board member,
and her husband Hartmut Liebel were
excited to be with friends at the Royal Ball,
since last year’s event was canceled.