I grew up in the Philippines and Japan.
I started swimming competitively at the age of six in the Philippines.
I swam in Manila, Philippines and in Yokohama, Japan.
My most memorable highlight was an international meet in Manila,
where, as a 9 year old, I placed first in the 50-meter fly.
When I started High school in in the States,
The town of Redmond did not have a community pool,
much less a high school pool. I helped the people of
Redmond Oregon to vote in a city community pool.
It took many door-to-door flyers and a lot of fast-talking.
When the vote was in and construction was underway,
I again pushed, this time to start a swim team for the high school.
It was accomplished, and I swam, lettered and went to State.
As a lifeguard and a Water Safety Instructor, I started teaching
toddler and Mother-infant classes in 1980. I moved on to teach
High school and Middle school students swimming in Phys Ed class.
My husband, son, and I moved here in 1988.
My son grew up here in N. Fort Myers and now resides in Cape Coral.
I made a choice, to leave the work force and become a stay at home mom.
It has been a good decision.
My daughter Nicole joined Swim Florida in 2007.
I volunteer at Nicole’s elementary school and now I am a
volunteer assistant coach for the North Fort Myers Swim Florida Team
Head Coach Julie Van Der Plaats
