Making a Splash: Whittier Elementary Students Celebrate Swim & Water Safety Graduation

The Newport-Mesa Family YMCA, alongside Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) and several community partners, celebrated a milestone achievement for 45 Whittier Elementary students. These young swimmers completed a 10-week after-school swim and water safety program, a significant step toward greater water confidence and safety skills.

The graduation ceremony at the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA brought together students, families, and program supporters to recognize the participants’ hard work and dedication. Many of the students had never received formal swim instruction before, and throughout the program, they gained essential skills that could one day save lives.

At the end of the event – just when parents thought the ceremony was over – the students surprised their families by taking to the pool! In a heartwarming display, the young swimmers eagerly demonstrated everything they had learned over the past 10 weeks. From floating techniques to proper stroke form, families had the chance to witness firsthand the progress their children had made.

This initial pilot program was made possible due to the collaboration of many community partners working alongside NMUSD, YMCA of Orange County, and the Ben Carlson Foundation, and has provided essential swim instruction and lifesaving skills to young students who previously had little to no exposure to swimming. Thanks to The Ben Carlson Foundation’s generous support, students received transportation to and from swim lessons and scholarships for necessary swimwear; this helped to remove barriers to participation.

Congratulations to all the young graduates on their incredible achievement! The YMCA of Orange County remains committed to fostering water safety education, building confidence, and empowering future generations to stay safe in and around the water.

To learn more, check out the Daily Pilot’s recap of the event here!