Office Assistant: Paris Rachford
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Hometown:
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Grimsbytown, U.K.
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Education:
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Horizon Charter School; Mountain Pointe H.S.
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Interests:
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Swimming; Music; Drawing; friends.
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Goals:
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Swimming scholarship to Stanford University.
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Extra
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My family and my swim coach are special people for me
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Owner: Mike Walker
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Hometown:
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Danville, California
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Education:
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ASU '91 Intercultural Communications with emphasis in Chinese.
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Swimming History
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2000-2006 Head Coach for University of Texas Women's Swimming and Diving Team; 1996 & 2000 Olympic Team Coach; 1993-2000 Co-Head Coach for University of California at Berkeley Swimming and Diving Team.
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Short Term Goals:
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Run the best swim school in the valley!
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Long Term Goals:
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Run the best swim school in the United States!
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What I personally Value:
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Passion, loyalty and family.
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Extra:
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I have two awesome children: Powell and Tilden. My wife’s name is April. We have two dogs, four guinea pigs and ten fish.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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I have two children and I truly believe that swimming changes the lives of children.
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More Info:
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Owner: Michael F. Troy
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NickName:
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Mike
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Hometown:
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Indianapolis, Indiana
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Education:
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Secina Memorial HS and Indiana University; B.S. in Business
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Short Term Goals:
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To run the best swim school in Arizona
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Long Term Goals:
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To run the best swim school in the Universe
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Best characteristic:
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My personality
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Swimming History
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Double Olympic Gold Medalist-1960 Rome Olympics; Nine time World Record Holder, NCAA and AAU Champion; Naval Officer-Navy Underwater Demolition/Seals; Awarded for Distinguished and Heroic Service in Vietnam; Over 20 U.S. National Swimming Staff positions
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Goals:
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Teaching People of all ages and abilities a sport that can save their lives...Swimming.
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Extra Info:
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I have a great dog and I love to cook!
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More Info:
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Return to Instructor Listing
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Instructor: Merrydaile Punzalan
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Mary
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| Hometown: |
Born and raised in the Philippines
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| School History: |
Yerba Buena High school and ASU - Nursing Major
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| Best Characteristic : |
I’m very motivated and hard working.
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| Long Term Goals: |
Pursue a career as a nurse practitioner and get married!
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| What I personally value: |
Living a life full of love, caring, and respect.
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| Swimming History: |
I swam four years on the varsity high school swim team and I’ve swam competitively for five years
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| Why do you like teaching swimming at GMSS? |
Working at GMSS gives me a chance to share with others what I enjoy the most!
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Instructor/Competitive Edge Assistant: Matthew D. Olschner
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Nickname:
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Matt
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Hometown:
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New Orleans, LA
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Education:
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Brother Martian HS and ASU (3 years at LSU-2 years at ASU) - Bachelors of Science in Chemistry
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Interests:
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Swimming; Traveling; Reading; Snowboarding.
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Long Term Goals:
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Become a Graduate School Chemistry Professor and a Swim Coach. Complete and win an Ironman Race. Have and raise a large family
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Extra:
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Two time Floridian Ironman Competitor and finished in the top 30%; Katrina displacement
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Swimming History:
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8 years in swim club, 3 years on the LSU swim team, four years on my high school’s varsity swim team, and 2 years AZ masters swimming.
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Why do you Teach Swimming at GMSS?
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I have a strong desire and talent for teaching and coaching others. Swimming has been such a huge part of my life for so long . . . why not teach what you love? I want to be a part of this great company as it grows and expands.
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Programs Manager/Parent Tot Instructor: Jennifer Stephens
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Hometown:
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San Diego, California
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Education:
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Chula Vista High School and ASU
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Swim Experience:
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Southern California Country Club Summer Leagues, was on high school swim team, participated in water polo and diving teams. Also was a YMCA swim instructor, City of Imperial Beach swim instructor, and lifeguard.
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Why I like Teaching at GMSS:
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The impact I have on others is a powerful thing and I am rewarded for it each and everyday
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Long Term Goals:
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Own my own swim school someday!
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Employee since:
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April 2001
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Instructor: Hanna Augee
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Nickname:
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Belle
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Hometown:
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Salem, Oregon
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Education:
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Corona Del Sol High School
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Acadmeic Interests:
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Foreign Languages, Theater, Art, Sports
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Best Characteristic:
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I am friendly, easy to talk to, and very dedicated.
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Long Term Goals:
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Learn five different languages and major in International Studies
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Swimming History:
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I’ve spent many glorious days surfing at my dad’s surf camp
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Extra:
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I am a huge animal lover and I am always in the middle of a book.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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I don’t like to see anyone held back by fear. I want to help people work through barriers and overcome fears.
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Instructor/Site Supervisor/Pool Manager: Elizabeth Wilson
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Hometown:
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Bath, NY
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Education:
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Haverling High School, Corning Community College and Chandler-Gilbert Community College
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Long Term Goals:
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Either become a kindergarten teacher or run my own swim school.
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Short Term Goals:
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Complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at ASU
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Extra:
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During free time I enjoy swimming laps, doing activities with friends and serving in my church.
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Swimming History:
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I took swimming lessons myself for five years, swam competitively for seven years and I have been teaching swimming lessons for four years.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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Working here is like working with a family; it is such a great environment and everyone cares for one another.
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Site Supervisor & Instructor: Ed Goldstein
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Hometown:
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Riverside, California
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Education:
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Graduated from ASU; Majored in Political Science and Italian; Post BA in Elementary Education, MA in Curriculum and Instruction
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Interests:
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Maintaining our salt water aquarium, huge race fan; car, truck, bike, or anything that completes an oval circuit.
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Goals:
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Finish my masters degree and become a principal
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Swimming History:
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Collegiate swimmer at ASU for two years; played water polo with ASU club team for two years; Coach of AZ Sun Devils for 8 years; Coach of ASU Sun Devils Masters for 5 years; swam internationally and was 1999 Maters National Championship in the 50 and 100
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Extra:
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Fluent in Italian. Married with 3 children.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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I enjoy creating good memories. Swimming has always given me good memories.
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Site Supervisor/Instructor/Parent Tot Instructor: Nancy Joyce
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Hometown:
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I’m a Midwest girl who grew up in NYC.
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Education:
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North Carolina School of the Arts - Classical Ballet
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Interests:
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Spending time with the Family; Reading; Watching movies.
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Goals:
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My goals (and me!) are ever evolving.
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Swimming History:
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Swam Competitively growing up; certified Heart Savers-adult, child/infant; Almost 20 years of experience interacting/working with children(from early childhood up to middle school); primarily volunteer basis (children's groups and activities thru church).
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Extra:
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Husband (married 14 years) is from Ireland and our daughter was born in China.
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Instructor: Chloe Hodson
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Hometown:
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Phoenix, AZ
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Education:
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Mountain Pointe High School
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Academic Interest :
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Writing
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Short Term Goals:
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Getting good grades to buy a car.
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Best Characteristic :
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I am nice, unique and fun to be around.
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Swimming History:
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I have been swimming on swim teams my entire life.
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Extra:
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I like writing and music.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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Because I like working with kids and I love swimming.
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Swim Team Coach/Parent Tot Instructor: Becky Ross
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Hometown:
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Tucson, AZ
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Education:
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Graduated Mountain View High School, attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College
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Interests:
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My Husband and Son; Swimming; Event planning (weddings/parties); shopping; traveling/ scrapbooking; travel to Europe
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Swimming History:
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Recreational Swim Team and H.S. Swim Team
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Goals:
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Become a Wedding Planner
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Extra:
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Friendly and happy
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Instructor: Alexa Ann Pichora
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Nickname:
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Lex
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Hometown:
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Tempe, AZ
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Education:
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Mountain Pointe High School
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Academic Interest :
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I want to study something in the medical field.
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Best Characteristic :
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I have an outgoing personality and a nice smile!
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Swimming History:
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I swam for three years on the Chandler Aquatic Center Swim Team and for one year on the YMCA swim team.
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Extra:
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I am very organized and I like to baby-sit a lot!
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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I like helping people achieve goals and I also like being a part of their happiness.
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Instructor/Parent Tots Instructor: Alexandra Larson
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Nickname:
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Alix
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Hometown:
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Corpus Christi, TX
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Education:
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Texas A&M University with a degree in Accounting.
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Interests:
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Swimming; Bowling; Movie nights with family.
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Long Term Goals:
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Preparing my children for college.
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Swimming History:
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Was on swim team through High School; Summer Swim Team Coach; Scuba Rescue Diver.
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Extra:
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Married 6 years; Mom of two GMSS swimmers; 1 Shar Pei="Newman"
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Why do you Teach Swimming at GMSS?
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The rewards I get from watching a child progress with his/her swimming skills are immeasurable and because I’m able to make a small contribution in a great organization with the nicest co-workers.
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Instructor: Sarah Scofield
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Nickname:
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Rerah or Billy
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Hometown:
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Maricopa, AZ
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Education:
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Maricopa High School and Central Arizona College - Veterinary Medicine and/or Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
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Interests:
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Horses!! I also enjoy swimming, playing softball, soccer, and volleyball. I also wrestle and play football and hunt with my brother.
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Long Term Goals:
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To have a family and own a ranch where I can raise horses.
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Extra:
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I have one brother named Boyd. I have two horses, three cats, one dog, and about 30 chickens. I love to play sports; softball is my favorite.
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Why do you Teach Swimming?
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I was raised around a lot of children and have just grown to love them...I joined the local swim team when I was 6. I have always helped out the younger swimmers and I enjoy helping them become successful.
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