Eighth grader Luciana Vanini has been a swimmer since she was 9-years-old. She swims at the Orchard Hills Athletic Club during the summer and the Whitmore Lake Community Pool during winter time. 

“My favorite part about swimming is the competitions,” Vanini said. “Everyone is friends so it’s fun to cheer each other on at competitions.”

COVID has changed how things work, though. 

“Because of the pandemic,” Vanini said, “it is scary sometimes to have to go into a pool without a mask on. The fear that comes with COVID has been tough.”

The pandemic isn’t the only challenge. 

“It’s hard to maintain my speed,” Vanini said. “If I take a little break for swimming for whatever reason, I have to work a lot harder to get back to where I was before.”
Even if some things are difficult, there are many positives. 

“I love the people in swim,” Vanini said. “It’s a great community.”