STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA
Member Orville Wolters shares how faith and fitness sustain him. Read more on page 8.
NEWSLETTER
MAY 2026
P. 2 Annual Giving Campaign Updates P. 8 Member Highlight: Orville Wolters P. 12 RSB Welcomes Neurologist P. 18 Hanna Low-Adams Masters Swim Program P. 22 A Healthier Relationship with Dieting
May 6 & 7 9 AM - 6 PM
February 1 - May 16
Spring Plant Sale
There’s another group of kids in the community that love Jayme Justus. The students comprising the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge’s Youth Philanthropy Council voted to award a grant to Community Child Care, of which Justus has been program director for the past three years. The Youth Philanthropy Council is a cohort of students from Stuart Hall, Staunton High School, Waynesboro High School, and the five Augusta County public high schools: Stuarts Draft, Wilson Memorial, Fort Defiance, Riverheads, and Buffalo Gap. The students meet monthly over the course of the school year to learn all the steps involved in creating and administering a grant. In 2026, the students distributed $35,000. “I think it means a lot that the high school kids see the value in a preschool program like us,” Justus said. “They are putting their time and effort into reading something about our center, and wanting to help them.” One of over 20 mission programs at the STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA, Community Child Care offers affordable, high quality childcare for families. In addition to receiving the grant, the YMCA is currently running a fundraising campaign supporting all of their mission programs, which are all designed to create a stronger, healthier community. “Every little bit helps,” Justus said. “Every donation goes to making our program better.” If the Youth Philanthropy Council students were impressed by reading about Community Child Care, they would be blown away by seeing the program in action. Justus pours her heart and soul into this work, and there’s always some sort of activity that reflects her passion for the kids. The activities include an Easter Extravaganza, Doughnuts with Grown-Ups, Fall Festival, and, most recently, a pre-K prom which was themed "sock-hop." During the annual Summer Luau, students get to vote to pie a staff person in the face. Justus has received that pie three years in a row. “I just love my kids,” she said. “I love the mission. I love the program.” As the program director for a preschool program, Justus helpes prepare the kids for their first school experience. She considers it a privilege. “It helps the next generation,” Justus said. “It makes me happy knowing that some of my preschool kids could be a part of this (Youth Philanthropy Council) some day.”
Youth Leaders Support Child Care By Chris Lassiter
Annual Giving Campaign 2026
** While supplies last **
NO JOINING FEE All month!
We at The STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA believe everyone should have access to healthy living and family resources in a safe environment. Your purchase or donation goes directly to helping us build a healthier community.
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Annual Giving Campaign
You can be a part of the transformation of people's lives. Every year we set a goal of raising $160,000 so that we can continue the tradition of creating positive impact. As of today we are at $55,564. Will you join our mission today? By donating, volunteering your time, or simply sharing your story with someone who needs it - every act of support helps ensure more people have access to the guidance, community, and care that can truly change a life. "I give because it helps me feel like I am helping other people to achieve better things in their lives" -Brian Ringgold, Staff
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It doesn't take long to figure out that a story about Joe McCue is a story about the Staunton-Augusta YMCA. It’s a story about relationships. A story about a small group of handball players and the big picture of community. And it’s a story about giving more than you take. As the previous owner of the Staunton Athletic Club and Staunton Racquet Club - while maintaining an active SAYMCA membership, primarily to play handball several times a week - McCue was a vital part of the team in the early 1990s that recognized that the organizations would be stronger together. “I had always had this dream of a ‘cradle to grave’ recreation center,” said McCue. At that time, the Y was operating well-established, sought-after children’s programs in various locations around the city, but it lacked a brick-and-mortar home. McCue literally held the keys to the Y’s future in his hands - the building on North Coalter Street that members continue to call home today. “I knew that I’d never be able to do what the Y was doing with children and youth,” said McCue, who was a member of the YMCA Board of Directors from 1988 to 1984. “It felt like the right decision to have them take adult fitness and run with it and bring everything under one umbrella.” On June 1, 1995, the partnership was made official, and the modern era of the SAYMCA began to take shape. Over the past 30-plus years, McCue has enjoyed watching the programs, the people, and the outreach grow in ways he envisioned, and those he couldn’t imagine at the time of the transaction. “That’s a big part of why I donate to the Y every year without question,” he explained. The other big reason he continues to contribute is a deeply personal and more somber story. For decades, McCue has been part of a large, but tight-knit group of hiking and fitness enthusiasts - many of whom still belong to the Y. That group included Bobby Fitzgerald, whose unsolved disappearance in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains attracted national attention in 2012. Fitzgerald’s connection to the Y was such that, in addition to not being at work, his absence from the center was one of the first clues that something was awry. It prompted friends and search groups to comb Shenandoah Mountain in western Augusta County. Since 2021, Fitzgerald’s family and friends have helped make his name synonymous with the Annual Giving Campaign. For several years, Bobby Day kicked off the fundraising effort. This year, McCue is excited to wrap up the fundraiser with the Y’s first 8K race in memory of his spirited friend on May 16. “Bobby was always supportive of the kids’ programming at the Y, so I think he’d like that his name is helping raise money for those programs. Although, he probably wouldn’t say much about it himself,” said McCue, hinting at Fitzgerald’s low-key personality. “I know that he’d be grateful that we haven’t forgotten him, and that part of his legacy is sustaining the YMCA,” he added. Already, the race spotlights another successful community partnership; race coordinator Heidi Austin-Cook at Sole Focus Running in Staunton has been planning with the YMCA team from the start. Of course, McCue's story wouldn't be complete without a nod to the Y's future evolution. For this initial year, McCue raised money to cover some expenses and entry fees will help the event break even, but he is optimistic that future races will attract hundreds of participants and generate substantial funds for the ACG on their own. "I've been following the progress on New Hope Road since the beginning, and I know that's going to be a huge asset to the community," he said. "I'm eager to see the Y really continuing to grow as a leader in children's programming."
COPING CORNER
Relationships, Resilience Guide Giving By Dawn Medley
SCAN FOR DETAILS AND TO REGISTER
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7:30 AM
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Friends of Bobby
ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN: Why I Give
$12 Members $20 Non-members
$15 Members $25 Non-members
$70 Members $85 Non-members
Tuesdays 10 - 11 AM May 26 - June16
Homeschool
SAYMCA SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS
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Youth ages 9 - 12 can enjoy a fun Star Wars themed yoga journey.
Youth ages 6 - 11 who are beginners or intermediate level players will develop skills and make friends.
Tweens
Are you outgoing, looking for experience working in the field of youth development, enjoy working with kids AND want to have fun this summer? Then our Summer Day Camp is for you! We provide training. Flexible scheduling with weekends and summer holidays OFF! We have three sites: McSwain Elementary, Wilson Elementary, and the Teen Center at the main Y building. Contact: Andrea Ryder at andrea@saymca.org or Kristi Hatcher at Kristi@saymca.org about opportunities with Elementary Summer Camp Contact: Eddie Santiago at esantiago@saymca.org about opportunties with Teen Camp.
May 14 4 - 4:45 PM
Siblings get 10% off after the first child enrolls.
Registration Opens May 12!
Registration Open Now!
Scan for details
Youth Tennis
We're hiring!
Youth Yoga
May 7 4 - 5 PM
Caregivers and their preschoolers can enjoy an "Around the World" themed yoga journey.
Pre-K
Register online at saymca.com or in person.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
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MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: Orville Wolters
For Orville Wolters, attitude is not something abstract. It is a daily choice, one that determines whether hardship becomes a stopping point or a path forward.
Movement became an important part of Wolters' healing process after the loss of his wife and lifetime partner, Sarah. A decade after her passing, at age 88, he is committed to visiting the Y for a workout at least twice a week. Returning to being a regular at weekly Bible Study meetings has also shaped his journey.
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“I'm not a very brilliant person, but I just want to use what God has given me to the best of my ability." Humble, soft-spoken, and easygoing, 88-year-old SAYMCA member Orville Wolters takes everything in stride. The former vocational agriculture instructor and sales rep for animal health pharmaceuticals recently reflected on how he maintains a positive outlook through challenging times and how his upbringing shaped him physically, mentally and spiritually. Wolters was born in 1937 and grew up in a rural community in Illinois. Farming is in his blood. "From very young on, you learn how to do chores and do hard things,” he said. “That was part of staying in shape.” Imagine being in a rural community recovering from the effects of The Great Depression. Wolters’ family showed him how to overcome hardship and to make do with what you have. “We just had a beautiful family. They were all loving people, and all got along well together. Nothing seemed to be too difficult for them to do.” He stayed close to home working as a teacher of agriculture until circumstances prompted him to take a new job in Ohio. He resided there with his family for four years until he transitioned to a new career with a big move to Staunton in 1974. Wolters understands how vital it is to be adaptable in the shifting landscape of agriculture. “I’ve been challenged with things that would scare a lot of people,” he said. When it was time to move hundreds of miles from home and start new, Wolters didn’t hesitate. For him, it’s simple; “I just tend to say 'yes,' and 'I’ll do it.' And that’s my attitude.” In addition to homegrown sensibilities, Christian faith is central to his life. “God is with you, and He will protect you and guard you and take care of you,” Wolters said. He lets this faith guide him through all challenges. Wolters regularly attends the Monday morning Bible Study group at the SAYMCA. He joined the Y with his wife, Sarah, 30 years ago. He admits she was the one who was into fitness. Never one to shy away from new experiences, he went along with it. “We did things together, and I loved her, and I loved doing things that she wanted to do," he said. Sarah was the one who suggested attending the weekly Bible Study that was then led by former SAYMCA Director, Morris Peltz. Wolters estimates that they joined the group sometime in 1995. In that era, Wolters worked as a sales rep for ??? and often traveled for business. Each time he returned home,he would resume the routine he had with Sarah. Until she got sick in 2008. That was when the couple changed their routine. Sarah became his travel partner. “For three years she was with me day and night while I was out on the road. And that was part of us growing together," he shared. He watched her slowly wane physically and mentally, which played a role in his decision to retire in 2016. “I just said, ‘Lord, I'm gonna take care of this woman the best I can until you take her home.’ And that's what I did.” In the new reality of Sarah’s absence, he never lost his faith. Much like in his younger years, he leaned on quiet resilience to find a way forward. He remembers thinking, “For the rest of my life, I just want to serve the Lord and do what I can for His kingdom.” That commitment opened the door to rediscover parts of himself that had long been dormant. In high school, Wolters learned to play the trombone, but after graduating, he set it aside for decades. It wasn’t until his pastor learned about his hidden talent that he picked it up again. Now, he practices regularly, learning new worship music each week. As he puts it, “My number one thing at church is the music.” He also found his way back to another place filled with shared memories— the SAYMCA, where he and Sarah had spent quality time together. Returning wasn’t just about routine; it was about healing. He understood that staying active and connected was essential. “I was determined I needed to go at least twice a week to use those exercise machines,” he said. Wolters is acutely aware of how easily isolation can take hold, especially after loss. "There’s quite a group of people that are my age, and almost all of them are either gone or have a major illness … and I don’t have any of that. So I am very blessed.” As he started to exercise again, the contrast between the strong farm boy of his youth and his current condition was clear. “I probably sat at home for a month or month and a half [after Sarah's passing]. Once I got up, I began to realize how much my body had deteriorated.” Movement became a way to rebuild. Like the chores he was tasked with when he was young, he knew fitness was once again something that wasn't optional. Just as important was the sense of belonging he rediscovered in Bible Study and the larger SAYMCA community. "We are consistent with prayers and we pray for each and every person that walks through the doors of the Y," said group leader Carol Byrd. She appreciates Wolter's contribution to the group and his unshakable faith. "It's his lifestyle and he loves sharing about God's goodness," Byrd added.
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Member Shares About Faith, Family, Fitness By Eleanor Rixey
Coach Chris will be out the week of November 17. There will be no classes during the week of Thanksgiving.
TENNIS LESSONS
Adult Pickleball & Tennis
Contact Chris at cstambaugh@swattennis.org with any questions.
Homeschool Tennis Ages 6 - 11 For beginner and intermediate players. Days and Times: Tuesdays | 10 - 11 AM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member
PRIVATE TENNIS LESSONS All ages Individuals, of all ages, seeking to improve at tennis can arrange to meet individually with our instructor to improve tennis fundamentals. Private lessons can be tailored to improve a weakness or gain a new skill. Fees: Member $60 for one hour, $35 for 1/2 hour Non-Member $75 for one hour, $60 for 1/2 hour GROUP TENNIS LESSONS All ages Fees: Member $38 for one hour Non-Member $55 for one hour
ADULT INTERMEDIATE TENNIS For adults 18 + wanting drills and competition in singles and doubles. Dates and Times: Fridays | 9 - 10:30 AM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member
REGISTRATION FOR ALL LEVELS CLOSES ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SESSION.
Early Hitters Ages 5 - 8 Beginner level where the fundamentals are introduced. Days and Times: Tuesdays | 5:30 - 6:30 PM OR Thursdays | 5:30 - 6:30 PM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member Mid Hitters Ages 9 - 11 This will teach your pre-teen intermediate tennis skills. Dates and Times: Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 PM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member Upper Mid Hitters Ages 12 -14 This will get your student prepared for high school tennis. Dates and Times: Wednesdays | 5:30 - 6:30 PM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member Highschool Tennis Ages 15 - 18 Advanced techniques and skills to prepare for competition. Dates and Times: Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8:00 PM Fees: $75 Member $90 Non-Member
FALL 2025 DATES:
General re-string and re-grip starts at $25 per racket.
Session 3 Tuesdays: NOVEMBER 4, 11, DECEMBER 2, 9 Wednesdays: NOVEMBER 5, 12, DECEMBER 3, 10 Thursdays: NOVEMBER 6, 13, DECEMBER 4, 11 Fridays: NOVEMBER 7, 14, DECEMBER 5, 12 Member Registration: October 28 Non-Member Registration: October 29
BEGINNERS ADULT PICKLEBALL Learn to play or brush up on the basics. Dates and Times: Fridays | 10:30 - 12 PM Fees: $65 Member $80 Non-Member Meets on the tennis court.
Siblings get 10% off after the first child enrolls! Register in person or online at saymca.org
RACKET AND STRINGING REPAIR:
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The Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) gym gives Parkinson’s patients a fighting chance, literally. Parkinson’s is an invisible opponent - no face, no voice, but very real. The steadily growing community of "Parkies" meets in the RSB gym three days a week. On those mornings participants aren’t just throwing punches: they’re working on coordination, stability, reaction time, and focus. Every movement is intentional, reinforcing connections that Parkinson’s threatens to weaken. This group understands that fighting back is not done alone. They keep finding ways to expand on how they support one another. Judy Briggs, a beloved Parkie and the unofficial “mother” of the Rock Steady Boxing program, is the reason The STAUNTON-AUGUSTA YMCA started RSB. She is an advocate for the people who come and understands that managing this neurological condition requires more than medication and exercise. It requires community and collaboration with specialists who care, specialists like Dr. Dalrymple. Dr. Dalrymple is Briggs’ neurologist and he visits the RSB group once a year to work out with them and to sit down for conversation where participants get to share their concerns and inquire about medication and the latest methods of treatment. “I know a lot of folks complain because they go to their neurologist, and they spend about 20 minutes with them. Dr. Delrymple always spends at least an hour with me,” Briggs said. She knew that this doctor was different and that he could help more than just his patients. In a typical clinic visit with a neurologist, the battle plan can feel rushed - adjust a medication here, note a symptom there. But in this setting, Dr. Dalrymple has time to lay out the playbook. The boxers begin to see how each piece fits together: medication, movement, balance, cognition. As he explained during his session with the group, “Exercise in general is the one thing that we know of that slows down the progression of the disease. It’s the only thing we have that fights the disease itself and doesn’t just put a Band-Aid on the symptoms.” That distinction matters. While medications can help manage tremors, stiffness, and other symptoms, they often fall short in addressing some of the most frustrating challenges - like balance and cognitive decline. Rock Steady Boxing, with its blend of physical intensity and mental engagement, steps into that gap. Dalrymple continued, “This class in particular does a lot - not just with boxing, but with balance and with cognition,” he said. “Those are two symptoms that we don’t have medications for.” Steve Henderson, a Parkinson’s patient for 16 years, can attest to the effectiveness of the program. “I was having some issues with my balance,” he said. “The exercises we do pinpoint exactly that.” Henderson also appreciates the opportunity to spend time with Dr. Dalrymple. He is eager to discuss the latest treatment options and share his own experience. “I was number seven in the world for having the MRI-focused ultrasound over at UVA with Dr. Elias.” He feels like his three brain surgeries have been beneficial in managing his symptoms. Hearing other participants share their experiences creates shared learning. When one person asks about tremor versus dyskinesia, swallowing, or medication timing, everyone benefits. Patients often don’t know what questions to ask, or may feel hesitant asking them alone. In a group, they hear concerns they didn’t realize they had. That collective exchange raises the overall level of understanding in the room. “This kind of environment helps flush out the knowledge,’’ Henderson said. “It's such an individual disease. Everyone is on the same course, yet we are experiencing different things.” There is something deeply human about a specialist stepping out of the clinic and into this space. It signals: "I see how hard you’re fighting." That kind of presence builds trust and sharpens confidence. People are more willing to speak up, to ask questions, to report what’s really happening, because they feel like they’ve got someone in their corner. Briggs added, “Sometimes there's such a distance between the patient and the doctor, and this brings you closer together.” The Power of the Program The punches, the footwork, the balance drills - they’re not just workouts. They’re counterattacks. Programs like Rock Steady Boxing become more than fitness classes, They’re training camps for resilience, targeting symptoms that medicine alone can’t fully control. The room becomes a team preparing together, learning together, pushing each other forward. “Dr. Dalrymple cares a lot about everybody. It gives him an opportunity to connect with people who are not his patients as well as those who are.” Briggs said. Parkinson’s may be an invisible enemy, but in moments like this, the response is visible and undeniable: people showing up, gloves on, informed and determined, ready to keep fighting.
The Doctor Is In How do you tell the difference between tremor and dyskinesia? Tremors Rhythmic, back-and-forth movement Usually means not enough medication Dyskinesia Irregular, squirming, unpredictable movement Usually means too much medication Is usually not noticed by the patient Only treated if it becomes bothersome or limiting The difference is important because: They are treated in opposite ways. Even specialists sometimes struggle to distinguish them. Does Parkinson’s affect eyesight? Yes, commonly through: Dry eyes (less blinking, reduced tear production) Convergence insufficiency - difficulty focusing on close objects Is Parkinson’s hereditary? Only about 5–15% of cases are genetic Most patients are the only one in their family with Parkinson’s Why is exercise (like boxing) recommended? Exercise is the only proven way to slow progression. Benefits Include: Improves balance Helps cognition Enhances overall function Programs like boxing combine physical + mental training Often more effective than medication for certain symptoms.
Steve Henderson joined RSB in January 2026. He has already experienced the benefits of this program. He appreciates sharing the treatment he has undergone in the hopes it will help other Parkinson's patients.
Community of Parkinson's Patients Welcome Neurologist, Advocate for Each Other By Eleanor Rixey
Corner
MISSION SPOTLIGHT: Doctor Prescribes Exercise
Dr. Dalrymple visits the RSB program at the SAYMCA every year. This was his fourth visit since first being asked by patient and RSB leader, Judy Briggs.
MISSION STORY: Todd Eisgruber
CPR and First Aid Training Does your job require you to be CPR/FA certified? Do you need to keep your certification current? Interested in learning how to save a life? We offer a four-hour class that will give you the tools you need. June 13 | 8AM - 1PM $85 Members/ $100 Non-members
PICKLEBALL See Basketball Court Schedule Free for members. $10 Drop in rate for non-members.
ONCOLOGY YOGA This ongoing one-of-a-kind program is designed for cancer survivors and those still undergoing treatment for any form of cancer. This gentle program is taught by Melissa Anderson Morgan, a certified yoga4cancer teacher. Stop by the front desk to pick up a brochure or register. Tuesdays at 4:20 PM in the Mind/Body Studio Each session begins the first week of the month Fees: $30 Members per month $45 Non-members per month **Remember to bring a yoga mat**
TEXT COMMUNICATIONS COMING SOON!
Here's how you can sign up: 1. Text SAYMCA to 545-39. Then confirm that you would like to receive updates by replying YES. 2. Stop by the front desk. They can update your information the next time you come in. We will not send messages until March but it is a good idea to update your contact preferences now.
ADULT PROGRAMS
EQUIPMENT ORIENTATION Free for ages 15+ Sign up at the front desk today!
BIBLE STUDY 11 AM Mondays Multipurpose Room
MAHJONG 10:30 AM Fridays Multipurpose Room
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ADULT POWERLIFTING CLUB 500 LB, 750 LB, 1000 LB, 1250 LB Adult members can apply to join by signing up at the Wellness Center kiosk. Find your cumulative combined weight of 1 rep max Bench Press, 1 rep max Back Squat and 1 rep max Deadlift while following the rules and regulations. Applicants MUST be 18 or older. Upon completion of the challenge you will receive a shirt and your name will be displayed in our Wellness Center. Contact Healthy Living Coordinator Krystal Clark at krystal@saymca.org with any questions. Fees: $25 Members Only
ROCK STEADY BOXING RSB enables people with Parkinson's disease to delay the onset of the symptoms through a non-contact boxing style of fitness. This method has been proven to improve participants' quality of life and sense of efficacy and self-worth. RSB provides encouragement through a "tough love" approach, inspiring maximum effort, speed, strength, balance and flexibility. Registration is ongoing and available at the front desk. Pick up a brochure today! Fees: $60 Members per month $70 Non-members per month
Gentle Flow Yoga with Dawn
LAND and WATER GROUP FITNESS
Arms & Core Bums &Tums (BB Court) Barre Fit 4 Life (BB Court) Lift & Pump Muscle Max Senior Fitness Step Strength Tabata Zumba
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Adaptive Yoga Tai Chi Chu'an Chair Yoga Vinyasa Yoga Gentle Flow Yoga Pilates Men's Yoga PACE Wall Yoga (Racquetball Court)
NOW HIRING!!
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GROUP FITNESS CLASSES IN THE CARDIO/STRENGTH STUDIO
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES IN THE MIND-BODY STUDIO
CERTIFIED AQUATIC G.F. INSTRUCTORS!!
Cycling classes available in the Cycling Studio Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 PM
Group Fitness
Find schedules and class descriptions online at saymca.org on the homepage. Print outs available at the front desk.
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Group fitness classes are included with your membership! Non-members can purchase a pass of 10 classes for $90.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
AQUAFIT 9-9:55 AM Peggy No class 25
AQUA YOGA 9 - 9:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 9-9:55 AM Peggy
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Peggy No class 25
SPLASHBURNER 10 - 10:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Peggy
AQUA YOGA 11 - 11:55 AM Karen
GENTLE AQUAFIT 11:15AM - 12PM Joyce
SPLASHBURNER 6:05 - 7 PM Karen No class 25
SPLASHBURNER 6:05 - 7 PM Karen
FRIDAY
SPLAHBURNER 9-9:55 AM Karen
AQUAFIT 10-10:55 AM Karen
SPLASHBURNER 6:05 - 7 PM Jenn
AQUATIC STAFF FEATURE: Meet Andi Mays
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DEEP DIVE: Congratulations Hanna Low-Adams
What started as a simple return to swim lessons turned into something much bigger for 11-year-old Hanna Low-Adams. Her mom, Katie Low, signed her up thinking she was picking up where things left off after COVID. Hanna had missed formal lessons for years, and while she’d stayed active in summer camps, Katie assumed a Level 3 class would be the right fit. It didn’t take long to realize she had under- estimated her daughter's ability. Hanna moved through the water with ease. Within a single class, instructors saw her potential and moved her up. Then she moved again. What looked like a cautious restart became a quick ascent. For Hanna, the jump to Level 6 wasn’t just about swimming - it was about proving something to herself. “Being a part of level 6 swim lessons was a great experience,” she said. “I learned so much … not just swimming techniques but learning how to push through things and never give up.” Level 6 is known for its difficulty. It demands endurance, precision, and mastery of multiple strokes, including the notoriously challenging butterfly. It’s the level where many swimmers repeat sessions, refining skills over time. But Hanna, a Shelburne Middle School student, didn’t back down. “When I was doing laps around the pool, I felt very tired and didn’t feel that I could keep going,” she said. “But I did.” That determination stood out immediately to her instructor, Amirah Johnson. “My first impression of Hanna was that she was very quiet,” Johnson said. “But she’s confident and she knows what she’s doing.” From the moment she saw Hanna swim, Johnson knew she was capable of more. When the class began learning butterfly - a stroke that challenges even experienced swimmers - Hanna rose to the occasion. “She grasped the concepts quickly and executed the stroke with grace and precision,” Johnson explained. Johnson's teaching style focuses on encouragement paired with challenge, pushing swimmers beyond what feels comfortable so they can discover what they’re truly capable of. Hanna embraced that challenge fully. “I’m extremely proud of her,” Johnson said. “She pushed herself, attempted something difficult, and succeeded the first time.” Behind the scenes, SAYMCA staff were just as impressed. They had watched Hanna’s journey from Level 3 to Level 6 in a matter of weeks - something almost unheard of. The highest level often requires repetition. Progress can be slow. But Hanna kept moving forward. There was no stopping her. By the end of the session, she became the program’s first official graduate - a milestone worth celebrating. It confirmed what Katie had always seen in her daughter. “Hanna is a natural born athlete,” she said. “She glides in the water.” For Hanna, it’s just the beginning. “My advice to future Level 6 swimmers would be: Believe what you can do and keep going.” With her sights now set on joining a swim team, one thing is clear - Hanna isn’t just swimming anymore. She’s surging forward, stronger with every stroke.
Youth Swimmer Quickly Masters Challenging Program
Swim Instructor Amirah Johnson beams with pride over her student Hanna Low-Adams' accomplishment. Hanna is the first official graduate of the current SAYMCA swim lesson program.
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At 70, Kathy Martin was managing the competing demands of diabetes and life after ostomy surgery. The foods that helped one condition often made the other worse. Like many, she assumed feeling unwell was just part of aging. “I thought 'I’m just getting older… it’s just life,'” Martin said. A Christmas gift from her daughter - nutrition counseling at the SAYMCA - changed that. Before finding support, everyday life had become a balancing act that never quite worked. Meals became confusing, inconsistent, and sometimes skipped altogether, leading to fatigue, discomfort, and frustration. Over time, it was easy to assume these struggles were just part of getting older, rather than signs that something needed to change. "I think one of the biggest hurdles is the expectation of a quick fix," said Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer Jess Wiley. "A lot of people are looking for the one thing to add or take away that will make everything click." Martin sat down with Wiley to rebuild her relationship with food piece by piece, learning how to balance protein, fiber, and fats in a way that worked for her body. "[ Working with Jess ] just made me aware of what my body needs,” Martin shared. "I didn’t realize how much protein the body needed.” "It starts with getting to know the person - not just what they eat, but how they live. Instead of handing someone a one-size-fits-all plan, I work with them to understand what’s realistic for their life right now," said Wiley. They set up a simple tracking app on Martin's phone, turning confusing choices into clear, visual cues: green when she was on track, red when something needed adjusting. “She [Wiley] taught me how to use it. She’s been so patient with me,” Martin said. Grocery trips became guided decisions instead of guesswork, sometimes even calling for advice in the aisle. In the kitchen, small shifts took shape. Measuring instead of guessing, choosing foods with intention, spacing meals throughout the day. Martin was empowered to change her mindset towards food, “I’ve learned to check what I’m eating, decide before I eat it whether I want to eat it.” Martin was also encouraged back into movement, finding her way into the warm water of the Y’s pool, where exercise felt possible again. What once felt overwhelming became structured. She had the support she needed to be successful. Martin's story is another example of how the SAYMCA meets people where they are and walks beside them toward lasting change. Access to personalized nutrition guidance, supportive relationships, and wellness programs doesn’t just improve one person’s daily life. It strengthens families, restores independence, and builds healthier communities. When someone like Martin regains the confidence to care for her body, stay active, and even show up for others again, that impact ripples outward. "When people feel supported, understand their habits, and have a plan that actually fits their life, that’s when real, lasting change starts to happen," Wiley said.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A Healthier Relationship with Food
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a great time to reflect on your overall well-being. One area we don’t always consider with our mental health? The way we approach food, eating, and nutrition. The Hidden Weight of Diet Culture Diet culture is a set of beliefs that tells us our worth is tied to our weight, and that there’s a “right” way to eat and a wrong one. It’s everywhere. From conversations about the latest fad diet to social media posts telling us what to avoid, we’re constantly inundated by the idea that we should be trying to control, restrict, or shrink our bodies. It’s so common that we often don’t even notice it. It shows up in subtle ways: ● Labeling foods as “good” or “bad” ● Feeling guilty after eating certain foods ● Thinking we’ve “blown it” after overindulging ● Believing we need to “earn” food through exercise ● Promising to “start fresh” every Monday Over time, this creates stress and a constant pressure to chase perfection. Thoughts about what to eat, what to avoid, whether you’re doing it “right,” and how your body compares can become exhausting. For many people, food stops being something that fuels and supports health and wellness and starts becoming a source of stress or even shame. That’s not just a nutrition issue. That’s a mental health issue. Why Diets Often Miss the Mark Most diets offer structure and clear rules, which is why they feel effective at first. But many aren’t built for real life and tend to focus almost entirely on weight loss. They don’t account for the ups and downs of being human. Instead, they rely on restriction and perfection - two things that are nearly impossible to sustain over the long term. So when the plan starts to fall apart, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed, which can be mentally draining and very discouraging. In reality, it’s the approach that’s failing you. If something only works under ideal conditions, it’s not a long-term solution to healthy nutrition. A More Sustainable Way So what if we shifted the question? Instead of asking, “What diet should I follow?” What if we asked, “What habits can I realistically maintain?” Healthy nutrition shouldn’t be about extremes. Rather, it should focus on being consistent with the basics: ● Building balanced meals ● Including fruits and vegetables regularly ● Getting enough protein ● Staying hydrated ● Moving your body Not perfectly. Not all at once. But consistently over time. Meaningful, lasting change doesn’t come from doing everything right for a few weeks just to see the number on the scale drop. It comes from doing the right things most of the time so that you actually become healthier, both physically and mentally. Rethinking the Scale One of the biggest ways diet culture keeps us stuck is by tying success to a number on the scale. The scale doesn’t tell the full story. In fact, it’s often a very misleading measure of progress. Your weight can fluctuate day to day based on sleep, hormones, stress, hydration, inflammation, and carbohydrate intake (which affects water retention). So that jump on the scale after a higher-carb meal or a stressful week? That’s not failure - it’s your body doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. The problem is, when we rely on the scale as our main measure of success, it can become a mental and emotional rollercoaster, fueling discouragement and all-or-nothing thinking. Instead, what if we looked at different markers of progress: ● More consistent energy throughout the day ● Improved sleep ● Better focus and mental clarity ● Feeling stronger in your workouts ● Less stress around food and eating These are the changes that actually reflect improved health, and they’re the ones that support both your physical and mental well-being. Finding True Health Nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it never has been. The best approach isn’t the one that looks perfect on paper. It’s the one that builds from the basics that you can maintain in your real life without stress, guilt, pressure, or restriction. That’s where true health lives: in habits you can sustain and a relationship with food that supports not just your body, but your mental well-being too.
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Kathy's Story
"I didn't know what to eat. I was just lost." - Kathy Martin
Diet Culture and Its Impact on Mental Health By Jess Wiley
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