Our Board answers the following question:

1) WHY I think that swimming is important…

Joan O’Keefe: “Swimming is a lifetime sport that is fuN. It is a wonderful place to make friends and to get exercise.”

Ansie Marquette: “Swimming more than any other sport builds self-reliance in that one’s success or failure depends entirely on one’s own efforts.”

David Newcomer: “Swimming is important because it teaches discipline and improves physical fitness.”

Gene Ann Newcomer: “Swimming is important because I see how it touches lives like my own. At 8 when I started competitive swimming I went from a very frail, insecure little girl to over the years developing into a champion in my event. I met my husband through coaching and my two daughters have found joy in this sport through their performances and willingness to share their skills with other swimmers.”

2) As a Board Member what do you hope that our swimmers will remember the most about their experience on our team?

Joan: “More than ever I hope that it will be a POSITIVE experience. I hope that our swimmers will have fun and feel like an integral part of the team. I hope they will feel challenged.”

Ansie: “I hope that each swimmer will recognize that regardless of medals won or not won, that success will depend upon the extent that each gives his or her best.”

David: “I hope that our swimmers will enjoy their swimming experience and move in the direction of their goals, hopefully even achieving some. I hope that they will care for and want to stay with our team.”

Gene Ann: “I want our students to know that we loved having them on our team. I want them to know that we cared more about them as individuals than any of their performances and that swimming is their friend for life!”

3) What is your swim experience?

Joan: “I participated in synchronized swimming for 8 years.”

Ansie: “Growing up I never had the opportunity to participate in organized swim competitions. I can tread water and do dog paddle. When I go on a canoe trip, I find a good swimmer to be my partner and I wear a good life jacket. I enjoy sipping lemonade at the pool watching the kids swim.”

David: “I swam country club, AAU, and freshman year at KU.

Gene Ann: “I swam country club, AAU, college, Master’s and still work out!

In college I coached the local USA beginning racing at the YMCA in Urbana, Illinois. I also coached the first pre-competitive class in KC at the YMCA. We had a future Olympian in our class! I have coached for Swim Academy,

Spirit and now the Spirit of Swim Academy.”

4) My profession is:

Joan: “I am a nutritionist-RD”.

Ansie: “I love my job teaching because it gives me the opportunity to be with the kids. I have taught K-2nd grade for 23 years. Being on the Board of Spirit of Kansas City Swim Academy, with my years of teaching experience, will help keep the organization focused on the KIDS!”

David: “I am a licensed Funeral Director. Recently my company was sold and I have a small business in St. Louis.”

Gene Ann: “I am a substitute teach in SMSD. I volunteer at Children’s Mercy and for Spirit of KCSA.”