The BIG Splash
Every couple weeks, our instructors nominate one of their swimmers to receive the BIG Splash award! The BIG Splash may be someone who has been making great improvements in the pool, working exceptionally hard each week to get better, or coming to lessons with a great attitude and good listening ears. Check out our featured BIG Splash swimmers below!
Collins Hesselink
Age: 4
Favorite Stroke: Freestyle
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2021
Loves: Swimming, gymnastics, playing with her big brother, going to 4K
Mr. Rafał says: “Collins is our newest addition to the swim team! She brings a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of skills she has learned from swimming with me at such a young age. She loves swimming and it is hard to pick her best stroke because she does so wonderfully at all of them!. ”
Maxine Parrish
Age: 3 years old
Favorite Stroke: All of them!
Swimming at Little Strokes since: May 2023
Loves: Paw Patrol, swimming, gymnastics, dancing
Mr. Bill says: “Maxine is a joy to work with. She always brings a positive attitude with her to every swim. Maxine is friendly and encouraging with her classmates and has recently learned how to swim across the pool! Her smile brightens the whole pool each week. Congrats Maxine, way to go!”
Adalyn Przbylski
Age: 7
Favorite Stroke: Dolphin
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: June 2023
Loves: Swimming, dancing, and anything with art!
Ms. Grace says: “SUPERSTAR! Adalyn is a budding swimming superstar! She comes to lessons with a big grin and an eagerness to attempt new challenges. She’s incredibly courageous and committed to giving her absolute best, which has resulted in her remarkable progress. Right now, Adalyn’s working to master her side breaths, breaststroke, and flip turns! Her bubbly attitude, willingness to learn, and continual improvement makes her a joy to have in practice. ”
Yihan Kenyon
Age: 7 years old
Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke
Swimming at Little Strokes since: 2021
Loves: Outdoor activities such as swimming, biking and hiking
Mr. Jesse says: ROCKSTAR! Yihan is an active swimmer with Little Strokes, participating in regular lessons as well as swim team each week. She is a joy to have in classes - there is always a smile on her face! She is polite to those around her and leads by example. Always encouraging her younger sibling to do her best. Keep up the positive lead Yihan!
Sammy Foshay
SAMMY FOSHAY
Age: 7
Favorite Stroke: Dolphin
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2021
Loves: His family, playing baseball, and video games!
Ms. Lindsay says: “Sammy is an energetic and enthusiastic swimmer here at Little Strokes. He loves to do dolphin kicks and his favorite stroke is the butterfly. Sammy is always ready to learn new things when he comes to class. His favorite celebration is Shark Tank. Sammy is also very creative and often makes up his own new celebrations during class. Sammy is working on perfecting his breaststroke and his butterfly. Sammy is a wonderful student with an excellent attitude for learning new things!”
Alina Gracia
Age: 7
Favorite Stroke: Dolphin
Swimming at Little Strokes since: 2022
Loves: reading, playing with friends, school, gymnastics and swimming
Ms. Melissa says: "Alina is a hard worker and never gives up. She is focused and always ready to accept the challenges I give her. It took some time for Alina to gain her confidence in the water, but it never stopped her. I admire her determination and ability to face challenges without hesitation. I am proud to say that Alina can swim across the pool by herself now! Keep up the good work Alina and always believe in yourself!"
Kayla Cleaveland
Age: 10
Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: Summer 2017
Loves: Hanging out with friends, building Lego kits, swimming
Mr. Jesse says: “Kayla is a hard-working machine! This lady is as focused of a swimmer as can be on swim team. She is a wonderful example to others. She is always listening and improving her swimming skills. It has been a joy watching Kayla grow into the amazing person and swimmer she is today!”
Cam and Emerald Haskell
CAM
Age: 8
Favorite Stroke: Front Crawl
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: June 2018
Loves: Football (he hopes to be in the NFL when he grows up). He also enjoys basketball, and anything that allows him to challenge his Dad to a competition.
EMERALD
Age: 5
Favorite Stroke: Front Crawl
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: May 2019
Loves: Mermaids, unicorns, tumbling, dancing and singing.
Mr. Rafał says: “I have nominated Cam and Emerald for the BIG SPLASH because of their hard work and positive attitude! I am beyond happy to have them in class and to have witnessed their progress over the past few years. They always show up with a smile on their face and ready to learn. They are constantly trying to improve what they have learned and give it their absolute best. I am so excited to see how much they continue to grow as swimmers. Keep up the great work Cam and Emerald!”
Grant Dufresne
Age: 9
Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2019
Loves: Playing with his younger sister and dogs, riding his bicycle, being in the water, playing Super Mario Bros. and eating Mac & Cheese
Mr. Bill says: “I don't think anyone is more excited to come through the door at swim lessons than Grant! With his endless positive attitude and good work ethic, Grant improves every time he is in the pool. He can now swim front crawl and backstroke unassisted and is working on his breaststroke and butterfly. Keep up the great work Grant!!
Kelby Henderson
Age: 8
Favorite Stroke: Front Crawl
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2015
Loves: His cats, basketball, swimming, biking, and Sonic the Hedgehog
Mr. Jesse says: “Extra Extra read all about it, Kelby is the next Big Splash! Kelby has swam with me for many years, week after week and he always comes to swimming
with the mindset of getting better. Kelby has navigated his way through every bracelet. He has the personality to please Mr. Jesse with his great work ethic and listening ears. He wants to get better and improve in all areas, and Kelby loves to do EXTRA! Mr. Jesse has cherished his years he has been able to teach Kelby proper swim techniques, and even throw in a few other learning opportunities.”
Zach B.
Age: 8 1/2
Favorite Stroke: Front crawl
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2021
Loves: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and animals -especially dinosaurs, sharks and his dogs
Ms. Lindsay says: “Zach is an engaging and energetic swimmer in my class. Zach loves swimming front crawl but is always willing to work hard to get better on any stroke. Every time we swim together, he always asks which stroke he should work on to get better.
Zach listens to advice and makes corrections to get his strokes to be perfect. His positive attitude and his driven work ethic make Zach an amazing student at Little Strokes!”
Rylie Odden
Age: 3.5
Favorite Stroke: Backstroke (but she also enjoys getting the rings out of the water!)
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2021
Loves: Coloring, art projects, baking, and swimming with Ms. Melissa each week!
Ms. Melissa says: “Rylie is making a splash in a BIG way! She hasn’t been with Little Strokes long, but her bravery and trust are taking her places she’s never been before. While Rylie is nervous and hesitant about the water, she has overcome some big fears. When she started with me, we only blew bubbles and did back floats on my shoulder. In just a few short weeks, Rylie can independently do a back float, put her face in the water, and do amazing rolls to her front crawl position! She is even working on her three big arms when she rolls!
The trust and respect we have for each other has helped Rylie do hard things and never give up! I admire her tenacity, bravery, and persistence. She amazes me, her grandparents, and her parents’ class! Keep at it Rylie! You are just another BIG splash away from swimming independently! I am proud of you!”
Elodie Ro
Age: 3
Favorite Stroke: Dolphin Kicks (because then she’s like a mermaid!)
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2018
Loves: Princesses!
Mr. Bill says: “Elodie has been swimming with me since she was in Parent-Tot, and she has come so far in her young swimming life. Elodie deserves this recognition because she has truly made a “BIG Splash” here at Little Strokes! Her amazing attitude and eagerness to learn has driven her to new heights in the water.
Just this fall Elodie mastered her rollovers and is now swimming across the pool unassisted!! Congrats Elodie, all of your hard work has really paid off. I am so proud of you kiddo!!”
Audrey Ji
Age: 7
Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2019
Loves: Animals
Mr. Rafał says: “I would like to honor Audrey Ji as the Big Splash for her hard work and enthusiasm when participating in swim lessons! Audrey has swum with me for multiple sessions and recently she added on an extra class because she has such a passion for swimming and such a will to become better.
I enjoy swimming with her and watching her strive to get better every class. It is a real pleasure to see her reaching the point where she is ready to join the Little Strokes Swim Team. She has a very positive attitude and a bright smile! It has been a pleasure working with Audrey!”
Will Dennis
Age: 8
Favorite Stroke: Backstroke
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2019
Loves: Reading, drawing, listening to music, ice cream and his dog Maggie
Ms. Emily says: “Will and I have been swimming together for a little over a year now, and he has been a delight every day! He listens very well and always does his best to work on what he’s been taught. Will always comes in with a positive attitude and loves to laugh (sometimes even during his swims!). Every day Will races in to start his class, and told us that swim lessons are the best part of his day.”
Elodie Meagher
Age: 6
Favorite Stroke: Butterfly…but I really like all of them!
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2016
Loves: Swimming, Minecraft, my family, playing in the park, animals, art and math
Mr. Jesse says: “Elodie has an amazingly wonderful personality. Her energy is contagious and she always makes Mr. Jesse smile! Elodie has navigated her way through every level of swimming at Little Strokes. She has turned into a very skilled, safe swimmer. Elodie is currently focusing on joining the Little Strokes Swim Team. Mr. Jesse is extremely impressed with her work either, her drive to improve and her love for swimming!”
Bronsyn Cushman
Age: 4
Favorite Stroke: Dolphin Kicks
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2016
Loves: Paw Patrol, Trucks and Coloring
Ms. Chelsea says: “I have been swimming with Bronsyn for a number of sessions. When Bronsyn first came to class, he wasn’t a big fan of swimming. Through the years, with patience and persistence, Bronsyn has turned into quite the little fish! He always comes to swim lessons with a huge smiles on his face.
He is eager to be the first swimmer of the class and always pays attention when I have feedback for him. Bronsyn is a fun-loving little man and an absolute treasure to have in my class. Bronsyn has worked extremely hard to become the swimmer he is today. I am so proud of him!”
Ruthie Eckard
Age: 4
Favorite Stroke: Butterfly
Swimming at Little Strokes Since: 2018
Loves: her little brother, swimming, ballet, tap dance, skiing and going to Sunday school
Mr. Bill says: “Ruthie is a great joy to work with. She is always smiling, giving her all, and boosting the mood of her classmates with her positive attitude. Ruthie never gets frustrated when learning new skill and practices hard between swims.
She is enthusiastic about learning new strokes and loves celebrating after awesome swims. Ruthie enjoys swimming so much she even decided to take lessons twice a week!”
