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Soggy weather can’t dampen PECS swim Olympics

by Beverly Bidney -

BRIGHTON — Late summer showers didn’t stop the action at the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School swim Olympics Sept. 20.

Students came to the Brighton pool prepared to get wet and compete, so water falling from above was no problem for these young athletes.

The PECS K-5 swim program aims to get students familiar with the water and learn strokes. The three-week program allows the students to progress at their own pace and culminates with the Olympics in the fall.

PECS students race across the pool during the schoool’s swim Olympics Sept. 20 as family members cheer them on. (Beverly Bidney)

The program will resume in the spring, but without the Olympics.
Families gathered poolside to cheer their swimmers on.

When the rain came down, they huddled under colorful pool umbrellas or took shelter in cars. There was no thunder or lightening, so the event continued uninterrupted. Even the award ceremony was held in the rain.

By the end of the day, students earned medals and ribbons for their efforts in gold, silver and bronze categories.

Augustice Jumper participates in the third grade freestyle race. (Beverly Bidney)
These first graders aren’t dismayed by a brief downpour during the competition. (Photo Beverly Bidney)

Kindergarten freestyle gold winners
Bradley Villanueva
Chayton Robinson
Ryker Miller
Maddox Newkirk
Lily Banda
Isabella Virto
Aries Serrano

Kindergarten backstroke gold winners
Bradley Villanueva
Chayton Robinson
Ryker Miller
Charlie Julian
Lily Banda
Isabella Virto
Aries Serrano

Kindergarten buddy race gold winners
Kalliope Puente and Kahniyah Hill-Billie
Elakiah Collins and Chayton Robinson

1st grade freestyle gold winners
Cody Tommie
Kohloni Rodriguez
Embree Woodward
Miguel Estrada
Aiyana Robinson
Matthew Peaden
Kaliyanita Hodge
Micah Jimmie

1st grade backstroke gold winners
Embree Woodward
Malarie Alvarez
Tyse Osceola
Miguel Estrada
Aiyana Robinson
Matthew Peaden
Kaliyanita Hodge
Micah Jimmie

2nd grade freestyle gold winners
Travis Mitchell
Kayden Peaden
Cadayden Sardina
Levi Peacock
Damahni Bonilla
Silas Snow
Margaria Fudge
Jaiden Fludd
Raylee Turtle

2nd grade backstroke gold winners
Jeremiah Johns
Hayden Nunez
Damahni Bonilla
Silas Snow
Jakiyah Johns
Margaria Fudge
Okalani Collins

2nd grade buddy race gold winners
Jeremiah Johns and Josiah Gopher
Hayden Nunez and Jaelle Weimann

3rd grade freestyle gold winners
Elainna Fonseca
Kowi Osceola
Stellar King
Uriah Bowers

3rd grade backstroke gold winners
Caysie Platt
Kowi Osceola
Kulipa Julian
Uriah Bowers

3rd grade buddy race gold winners
Ciani Smith and Azariah Washington
Elainna Fonseca and Kulipa Julian

4th grade freestyle gold winners
Dali Nunez
Jayshawn Henderson
Case Prescott
Marley Jimmie

4th grade backstroke gold winners
Melaine Bonilla
Jesse Gabbard
Marley Jimmie
Case Prescott

4th grade buddy race gold winners
Meleah Billie and Dyani Kayda
Walt Fortner and Case Prescott

5th grade freestyle gold winners
Serene King
Etanis Torres
Rylee Bowers
Devon Mitchell

5th grade backstroke gold winners
Hannah Platt
Adarius Ford Josiah Robinson
Rylee Bowers

5th grade buddy race gold winners
Waniya Fortner and Hannah Platt
Rylee Bowers and Serene King

Beverly Bidney
Beverly Bidney has been a reporter and photographer for The Seminole Tribune since 2012. During her career, she has worked at various newspapers around the country including the Muskogee Phoenix in Oklahoma, Miami Herald, Associated Press, USA Today and other publications nationwide. A NAJA award winning journalist, she has covered just about everything over the years and is an advocate for a strong press. Contact her at beverlybidney@semtribe.com.
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