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In Harlem, a swim
team grows from the hearts of ordinary people; the average Joes and
Janes, like you and me. At the Hansborough Community center, dreams
are forged on the Dolphin swim team - a group of young adults brought
together by Ms. Dorise Black. It all started when Ms. Black asked Mr. Luther Gales, a retired police officer, to coach the team. He refused. With continuos urging he changed his mind. Mr.Gale's refusal to coach the team was because he had never coached before. However, it was for the children and that changed his mind. He has coached the members, ranging from ages 7 to 16, into better swimmers. The Dolphin swim team is an after-school program, which operates three out of five days per week. They operate out of the Hansborough Community Center on 135th street and 5th Avenue. Besides teaching students to swim, the team functions as a source of academic and moral support for these students. There are academic requirements that have to be met in order for students to remain on the team. Each member has to keep a grade point average above C. To avoid dropping to lower grades there are tutors, who help the students in their studies. Conduct is also an important part of staying on the team. Students are expected to behave in a way that ensures the safety of teammates, and themselves. On the Dolphin swim team, safety is a value the students learn and carry for the rest of their lives. There was one instance, though, where the coach reprimanded a member for misconduct. He or she had to complete one hundred word essay explaining his/her motives for misconduct. The oldest athlete,
16-year-old Kirin, has been swimming with the team for about 2 years
and she is also the swim team's captain. She credits the swim team
for keeping her in good health. But, the star on the team is 7 year
old Kevin, who is by far one of the best swimmers on the team. Like
many of his teammates, he's been on the team since the beginning.
In addition, he has grown to beat the coach, an athletic retired police
officer, at the backstroke. But, still the team needs financial help. According to the coach," we only use the pool 3 out 5 days, for only two hours each day." So they need extra time to practice. And they also need new clock and backstroke flags. This may sound like wining, but if a team helps children to be "dedicated", "committed" or to "persevere", they should be given as much positive support as possible.
For further information on swimming check out these links: |
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