From staff reports
Youths from the Clarion Area School District are learning an important life skill, thanks to area donors who have contributed to the Michael A. Constantino Swim Lesson Scholarship Fund and the United Way of Clarion County.
“Everyone Swims” is a new program offered to students at local schools through the Clarion County YMCA.
The idea behind the program is that everyone, regardless of income or circumstance, can learn how to swim.
Each class participates in a nine-week session of swim lessons.
“I am grateful that we have such a wonderful community asset as the YMCA. The partnerships and opportunities for our students to access a state-of-the-art facility is something we want to continue to grow,” said Joe Carrico, superintendent of Clarion Area School District.
“The working relationship between the district and the YMCA administration and staff has been, and continues to be, student-focused, healthy, and very productive,” he said.
Carrico said seventh graders in the Clarion district get to spend a day at the YMCA and also get a free one-year membership.
“Many local students, not just Clarion Area, benefit tremendously from the youth programs offered by the YMCA. They are a tremendous asset for our district, families, and community,” Carrico said.
In 2019, the YMCA started a Swim Lesson Scholarship Fund in the name of Michael Constantino, a Clarion Area Elementary student who lost his life in a tragic drowning accident in 2004. Michael was a vibrant 7-year-old who loved helping others. With the support of his parents, Kim and Dave Constantino, the scholarship fund has grown enough to help impact students at local schools.
“All children should know how to swim, regardless of income or family circumstances. Learning to swim can boost a child’s confidence and be rewarding,” said Kelley.
The YMCA has offered the “Everyone Swims” school-based swim lesson program to other local schools. There are costs involved to the schools but the lessons are mostly funded through the Michael Constantino Swim Lesson Scholarship Fund and the United Way, Kelley said.
The program is funded in part by United Way of Clarion County through its annual community impact grant awarded to member agencies.
“We apply for it every year and we wanted to really ‘unite together’ with their mission — and what better way to do that than offer a life-saving program that would be available to every child regardless of income?” said Kelley.
More information about the “Everyone Swims” program can be obtained by contacting Katie Roth, YMCA Wellness & Aquatics Director, at programdirector@clarionymca.net.