Gallery • 5 Photos

Alex Tejada '28

Aiden Taggart(12) and Andrew Waltman(12) play in the pool during the Rex-a-Thon swimming fundraiser on November 22 in the Strath Haven pool. After the main activities were all finished, the student athletes who participated in the fundraiser were allowed to play in the pool and chat with friends until the pool closed for the day.

Two kids in colorful “Swim Across America” caps race down the pool, swimming in blue inner tubes as teammates cheer from the end. At the same time, parent volunteers chat as they stand behind the snack table that is loaded with goodies—from soft pretzels, to donuts, to bananas. 

On November 22 at the Haven pool, students on the swim and dive team, along with kids and families from the area, participated in a swim-a-thon to raise money for cancer patients.

All funds from the event went to Swim Across America, a non-profit organization that raises money for people fighting cancer through swimming events. The Rex Storch Swim-A-Thon was in honor of Rex Storch, a former swimmer at Haven that passed away from cancer while at West Point.

“We have a lot of philanthropies that we’ve done on the team, and we’d like to help our community. That’s a really important part of being on the Haven swim dive team,” boys swim team head coach Mr. Brian Ward said. “And I personally knew Rex Storch when I swam here many, many years ago, and I felt like the time was right to also bring this back.”

The event was filled with fun relays, giveaways, and rubber ducky prizes. Swimmers of all ages competitively raced throughout the variety of games. 

“I really think the kids had a hoot with the relays. So we had three different relays we did. We did one in an inner tube. We had one where they were pushing a duck down the pole, and then another kind of smaller one that we had where [there was a] wet t-shirt you had to take off one person, put it on the other, and swim with it,” the girls swim team head coach Mr. Zach Anderson said. 

The relays were organized by the high school swim team, who directed the eager younger swimmers. 

“It was definitely led by the swimmers. And I think it was just great to be with friends and doing it, which made it really fun,” sophomore Natalie Jensen said.

The food, camaraderie, and support for those fighting cancer, brought together a large group of participants including many kids who enjoy swimming, and live in the area. Sixth grader Claire Keefe, among many other kids, expressed enjoyment about the fundraiser.

“I just like hanging out with my friends,” Keefe said.

As more people came out this year to participate, Ward acknowledges the fun he noticed from the swimmers to volunteers, all as they raised money for Swim Across America. 

“I feel like it’s been fun since we started it, but I feel like fewer people knew about it [the Rex Storch Swim-A-Thon], and more people know about it now,” 

Ward said. “I think all the kids had a great time, all ages, adults had a great time watching.”

In addition to the high spirited attitudes from participants, Ms. Tina Zamulinsky, one of the event organizers, explained a valuable point—as the community comes together to have fun and to fundraise, people can bring attention to an important cause. “I think it’s important to raise awareness for cancer research…raising the awareness to the community, and just getting everybody involved as a way to just help fight cancer,” Zamulinsky said.

The annual event will take place next year, and Zamulinsky is excited to see the event grow, so that the fun and fundraising will increase to another level. 

“I hope everybody has fun, and I hope next year is even greater and better,” Zamulinsky said.