Andrew Baker

Hey! My name is Andrew Baker. I graduated from Nature Coast Technical High School in 2009, then served 6 years in the Army as an 11c indirect fire infantryman starting in 2010. I married my wife, Sarah, after basic training, and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas and deployed to Iraq in 2011. My beautiful daughter Lilith was born in 2012. In 2014 I deployed to Afghanistan and in 2015 to South Korea. In 2016 I separated from the Army and started attending college. I graduated from PHSC with my AA in 2018 and transferred to USF where I earned my BS in Secondary Science Education in 2020. I have an awesome son, Liam, who was born in 2021. Currently I’m a high school teacher teaching Forensic Science and Zoology. I love being outdoors and hiking, but also really enjoy the water. I was introduced to SCUBA and immediately loved it. My goals are to complete at least the advanced diver certification and start diving regularly. I’d like to do volunteer clean up dives as well as spear fishing/gigging.

Honoring Our Hero: Andrew Baker

We're proud to introduce another hero in our program: Andrew Baker. Andrew is a veteran who has faced the challenges of military service with strength and courage. Now, he’s turning to scuba diving as a path to peace, purpose, and recovery. Through the Hernando Beach Diving with Heroes program, Andrew will receive comprehensive dive training and essential gear — all provided at no cost to him, with your help.

Andrew's Diving Journey – Support a Specific Need

Your donation will directly support Andrew’s certification and equipment, bringing him closer to a new beginning underwater:

Open Water Certification – $550
Equipment - $500+
Park & Spring Entrance Fees – $70–$80

Whether you sponsor a full certification or a single piece of gear, every gift makes a real impact.