![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
The Aquatic Center of St Vrain Valley Schools is filled with loud splashing and screams of girls as they cheer on their teammates while the swimmers race to finish first in their race.
The SCHS Girls Swim Team has been a part of the school for 24 years. Many girls join winter sports each year, whether it be 90 girls or 30. But on the Girls Swim Team, despite the large size, all the swimmers maintain a close connection with each other. The swimmers are a group of closely connected girls within the larger Silver Creek community.
Of course, everyone makes friends in their classes, but within the community of a school is the special bond of the girls’ swim team. Unlike many other teams, the swim team does not separate into Varsity and JV levels; rather, it stays as a whole, and everyone practices together.
Senior Team Captain, Annika Sesselmann, has been on the team for four years. Sesselmann said: “All the girls from all different grades, they get together,” the swimmers create what Sesselmann calls “a really close family bond” with everyone on the team.
Junior Anna Trochman who has been on the team since Freshman year, mentioned a team tradition: Secret Sister. This is a form of Secret Santa that the swim team participates in, in which, “you get a gift for someone that doesn’t know who you are,” Trochman said. “It’s something other teams don’t do and it’s really fun.” This special tradition is something that solidifies the bond between the girls on the team.
The environment plays a huge role in how the team performs. Head Coach Debbie Stewart, who has been coaching for 24 years, said that the team “works to develop a good bond among all of the girls.” The girls on the team do a lot of team bonding activities, like Secret Sister, or simply cheering each other on.
Anyone can join the team, all levels, all ages, and even if you can’t swim. There is no split within the team, allowing for a strong bond and community to be created within the swimmers. Along with the school community, there is a closer community, and that is the Silver Creek High School Swim Team. The swimmers are looking forward to their first meet of the season on 12/4 against St. Mary’s Academy at the St. Vrain Aquatic Center, at 3:30.
