Evan Bozanic, 14, is an underwater explorer! (Leonard Ortiz / The Orange County Register)

You Write It

We did the interview. We wrote the headline. You write the article.

• PRINT
• EMAIL

DIRECTIONS

1. Read our interview with Evan Bozanic.
2. Think about the headline we wrote. That will tell you what the main idea of your article should be.
3. Write an article about Evan in your own words. Use quotes from the interview, and make sure you stay focused on the main idea. Your article should be 250 to 500 words.

TEEN ADVENTURER BRAVES THE DEEP

Scope: What does a diver do?
Evan: We use equipment that allows us to explore deep under the water’s surface. I’ve gone down as deep as 80 feet.

Scope: How did you get started?
Evan: My dad is a diver. He’s mapped out underwater wrecks, and police have even hired him to bring up bodies. I started diving in the ocean when I was 11.

Scope: You’ve gone diving in the freezing waters of Antarctica. What was that like?
Evan: We were collecting shelled animals for a museum when icy water flooded my glove. At first it stung. Then my hand started to throb. After 16 minutes, I finally got back on the boat. I remember missing my warm bed!

Scope: Why do you love diving?
Evan: There are so many cool things to see, and no noise—only the sound of your breathing. It’s relaxing.

Scope: But things can go wrong.
Evan: Yes, but most of the time, I ignore the fear. I love adrenaline rushes, and I love solving problems. For example, on one of my first dives, I ran out of air, so I breathed off my dad’s equipment. Now, before a dive, I think of a way to handle every possible problem.

Scope: What are some of the craziest things you’ve seen?
Evan: In Antarctica, I saw a leopard seal suddenly lunge out of the water and eat a penguin only a foot away from me. I was in shock and scared at first to go back into the water. But leopard seals don’t eat people. If you don’t anger them, they won’t attack you.

Scope: Is it safer to dive at home, in California?
Evan: It can be tricky here, too. Once, I got five sea urchin spines stuck in my hand. My dad used tweezers to get them out, but got only four. The fifth one is still in there. But I like to travel. Doing the same thing over and over just kills me. I love to experience unusual things and go places that nobody ever gets to go.

Scope: What’s next for you? Evan: My goal is to be the youngest person to dive off of all seven continents. I want to write a book about it and donate some of the proceeds to help each place. I only have Africa left, and I’m going there this summer.

This article originally appeared in the April 23, 2012 issue of Scope. For more from Scope, click here.

• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  A True Book: Antarctica by Mel Friedman Part of the Scholastic True Book series about the continents. Why is Antarctica the world's highest continent? It is covered with an extremely thick ice sheet. The way emperor penguins care for their eggs in the coldest place on Earth. A map, a time line, photos-and the inside story on a volcano in an ice desert. Surprising, True facts that will shock and amaze you. $6.95 books;paperback books;paperbacks | Ages 8-10

  
  A True Book: Antarctica
  Ages 8-10 $6.95
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store
  	Antarctica by Rebecca Hirsch The Rookie Read-About® series brings a broad array of topics to vibrant life with striking, full-color photos and just the right amount of fun, factual, fascinating text. $5.95 Paperback Book | Grades PreK-1

  
  Antarctica
  Grades PreK-1 $5.95
  

NOW YOU WRITE THE ARTICLE! Send your article to the You Write It Contest. Three winning stories will be published in Scope Online. Click here for details.