BELOW DECK'S CAPTAIN SANDY YAWN AND HER SISTER
MICHELLE DUNHAM ANNOUNCED AS THE SHIP'S GODMOTHERS
MIAMI, Aug. 7, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises®, the award-winning
premium cruise line pioneering resort travel at sea, is thrilled to
unveil the Godmothers for Celebrity Ascent, launching this
November. Today, Celebrity Cruises announces that Captain
Sandy Yawn, best known for her
appearance on Bravo TV's hit series, Below Deck, alongside her
sister Michelle Dunham, founder of
the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), have been selected as
co-Godmothers of the upcoming ship. The sisters will now join the
industry's first brother Captains, Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis, who were announced
earlier this year as the chosen duo to jointly take helm of the new
vessel.
Captain Sandy and Michelle will now join an illustrious group of
admired, purposeful and inspirational women who hold the role of
Godmother for a Celebrity Cruises ship. Godmothers of the previous
Edge® Series ships include Simone
Biles, 19-time World Champion and seven-time Olympic
Medalist who christened the most recent ship, Celebrity Beyond, in
2022; Reshma Saujani, founder and
CEO of international nonprofit Girls Who Code who named Celebrity
Apex in 2021; and Malala
Yousafzai, Nobel laureate and activist, who introduced the
revolutionary ship class when Edge launched in 2018.
"We are honored to have Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle
join the legacy of Celebrity's Godmothers, as they are both
inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to making a
positive impact in the world," says Laura
Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises' President. "Captain
Sandy's life story is one of resilience, leadership and strength,
as a pioneer in the maritime industry and as an inspirational role
model for young women. Her sister Michelle is a tireless advocate
for children with autism and shows us what is possible when you
follow your vision for a better world. Both women live by
Celebrity's values, and we have no doubt they are the perfect
choices for Ascent."
One of the most time-honored traditions at sea, the Godmother is
the spiritual embodiment of a vessel - she is the woman who
inspires, protects and positively impacts the lives of everyone who
sails onboard. During Ascent's official naming ceremony on
December 1, 2023, both sisters will
bless and christen the ship, bringing good luck and protection for
the crew and all passengers onboard.
About Captain Sandy
Yawn:
Captain Sandy is the embodiment of resilience, surviving a
life-threatening accident, cancer and struggles with addiction
before launching her career in the yacht industry. Her unwavering
integrity and courage have earned her an outstanding reputation,
and her remarkable leadership and bravery during a catastrophic
fire and pirate threat off the coast of Yemen, led to her receiving the prestigious
Distinguished Crew Award from the International Superyacht Society
in 2006.
As a best-selling author and motivational speaker, she is
passionate about sharing her life stories to inspire others in
overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dreams. Beyond her
successful yachting career, she actively contributes to
philanthropy, ocean advocacy, and children's education, showcasing
her commitment to creating a positive impact on society.
"As I embark on this remarkable journey as a co-godmother of the
Celebrity Ascent, I am deeply honored to represent not only the
spirit of leadership but also the strength of women empowerment,"
says Captain Sandy Yawn. "This role
serves as a reminder that women can steer their destinies with
grace and determination, commanding the seas of possibility and
inspiring others to follow their own paths with courage and
conviction. I am so honored that my sister and I can share this
distinction. She has always been my biggest inspiration in her
selfless pursuit to help my nephew and other families impacted by
autism."
About Michelle Dunham:
Michelle Dunham is the co-founder
of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), alongside her husband
Mark. Michelle developed the model for JSA to give her son,
Nicholas, the best opportunity to learn. Established in 2005, JSA
is a not-for-profit private school as a full-service K-12
educational center for students and young adults with autism
spectrum disorders, with a focus on whole child development and
individualized programs that encourage both family and community
involvement. JSA is as unique in its approach as the children they
serve. Interwoven into the very fabric of what their program
stands for is the necessity for each student to develop
independence while improving the quality of their lives.
Removing the layers of isolation, they are creating an inclusive
environment for each student to be themselves in order to educate,
engage and inspire. In March of 2020, JSA relocated to an expansive
campus that embraces the lush landscape and provides both the staff
and students with frequent opportunities for engagement with the
outdoors and the introduction of a vocational gardening
program.
"It fills my heart with immense pride to stand as co-godmother
of the Celebrity Ascent, alongside my sister, Captain Sandy Yawn. As we embark on this journey, much
like Celebrity Cruise's commitment to delivering exceptional
vacations and enriching lives, we embrace the same spirit of
compassion and positive change," says Michelle Dunham. "Together, we aspire to elevate
lives, create boundless possibilities, and set sail towards a
brighter, more inclusive future for all who grace our path through
the charities we founded, Jacksonville School for Autism and
Captain Sandy's Charities."
For more information on Celebrity Cruises, or to book a
Celebrity cruise, visit www.celebrity.com, call 1-800-CELEBRITY, or
contact your trusted travel advisor.
About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises, owned by
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), reimagines cruising by
pioneering resort travel at sea. Recognized for its iconic "X", the
Celebrity cruise experience is both refined and relaxed, merging
contemporary design, amenities, and entertainment, with
world-class, personalized service that makes travelers feel at home
anywhere in the world. The cruise line transports travelers to
nearly 300 destinations, across all seven continents, and up to
eight destinations in one voyage. Multi-award winning, Celebrity is
the first cruise line with ships to earn Forbes Travel Guide's
four-star rating and has also been voted "Best Premium Cruise Line"
for 15 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice
Awards. For more information, visit CelebrityCruises.com.
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SOURCE Celebrity Cruises