During National Volunteer Month we’re celebrating the awesome individuals who dedicate their time to help our Y succeed. Today, meet Teddy (pictured with her daughters Sophia and Gabriela), one of our Swim Team Parent Organization (STPO) volunteers.

Teddy and her family joined our Y in 2019, when her older daughter Sophia (now almost 10) joined our Swim Team. At the time, Sophia was 6 years old and had been taking swim lessons since she was 18 months old. With Sophia excelling in her swim lessons, it was suggested that she join a team to swim competitively. Younger sister Gabriela (now 8) followed a similar path and also joined our Swim Team when she turned 6.

“It’s a really great environment,” Teddy says. “We love the community side of it and the kids are happy and enjoy it.”

The Swim Team relies on parent volunteers to help during meets and practices in a variety of ways. Teddy first started volunteering on the pool deck in “smaller roles” and then progressed to become a USA Swimming official. Officials are volunteers trained to implement the rules of competitive swimming and ensure swim events are fair for all competing swimmers. This past fall, Teddy took another training and is now certified for two positions as an official.

In addition, this year Teddy took on the responsibility of planning the Swim Team banquet held later this month. The banquet is an annual celebration of the team’s accomplishments and recognition of the graduating seniors. As banquet chair, Teddy now sits on the STPO board as well.

Teddy admits she may not have known what she was getting into when she first became a volunteer – but she and her family wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s great and it really is its own community,” she says of the team. “And swimming is obviously amazing. They are not only getting better at the sport, but also learning life skills outside the pool like discipline, confidence, teamwork, time management and how to win or lose.”