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Making Waves, Highlands Hurricanes Volunteers
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2018/05 - May
The success of the Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team has been splashed across the news, practically since its inception.
Volunteer Debbie Kenter says a large part of that is due to the support of the community.
Kenter, who is the Communications Manager for Summit Charter School, has been involved with the team for four years and is only one of many who have given their time and expertise to help the Hurricanes flourish.
While Kenter and her husband Jordan have two children on the team, she admits she feels like every swimmer is her child.
“You can’t spend that many hours a week and not get to know everything they’re involved in,” she says. “Our team has grown from just a handful of members a few years ago, to around 60 swimmers. I’ve seen them all develop, not just in speed, but in self-confidence and sportsmanship and I feel they will carry those lessons with them forever.”
Debbie and Jordan are on the pool deck at least 10 hours a week each winter and at least 15 hours a week in the summer. But she’s not alone. As the team grows so does the need for additional coaching staff; they try to have about 40 volunteers available for home swim meets. Several people within the community help out, even if they don’t have children on the team. One of those is Head Swim Coach Steve Hott.
“I’m convinced Steve never leaves,” she says.
The team’s dedication has certainly paid off. Their biggest accomplishment so far was competing in the AAU Junior Olympics last summer in Detroit, Michigan, with four swimmers.
“We never dreamed we’d be coming home with 13 medals,” Debbie says. “We couldn’t have made this trip possible without so many individuals and local businesses sponsoring the team. We plan to do it all over again this summer in Des Moines, Iowa.”
They currently have five swimmers that have already qualified and hope for more.
The Highlands Hurricanes is a 501(c)3 organization and receive funds through private donations as well as grants. Kenter would like to thank their sponsors and the Town of Highlands for making it all possible and invites you to join them. Visit the team page at HHST.teampages.com and on Facebook at HHswimteam for more information.
