Welcome New Swimmer Families!

If you joined the West Howard Swim Team this season and your family photograph is not shown, please let me know so that I can take a photo of your family for the blog and the end-of-the-swim season slideshow! My e-mail is JillAnneBerry@msn.com

Rain Did Not Ruin the West Howard Parade

Is that not a rainstorm there? Yes, that is a rainstorm there.
Is that not a muddy mess? Yes, that is a muddy mess.
Is that not a rain-soaked swimmer? Yes, that is a rain-soaked swimmer.
Are we not the winning team? Yes, we are the winning team!

Rainstorm, muddy mess, rain-soaked swimmer, and winning team!

Go Wahoos!

Adapted from West Howard Wahoos cheer.

In heavy rain and chilly weather, West Howard swimmers and parents trooped in to the pool carrying towels, coolers, tents, umbrellas, and other swim team gear. I'm sure some thought that the Jun 20 meet versus South Carroll Serpents would be cancelled -- mostly parents who were already soaked to the bone! The swimmers were raring to go. Last night's pep rally flags were a hit. In short, no amount of rain could dampen the enthusiasm of West Howard Wahoos!

Families set up tents. Moms and dads shepherded younger kids to the spectator area. Teenagers gathered around tables to play cards. Little kids shivered in sweatshirts. Preteens wandered around attached to ipods, cell phones, and electronic games all while having conversations with their friends!

Coach Jill put the finishing touches on the swimming roster. Glenn Byrd and Jody Aud set up the meet management, scoring, and ribbon table. Debbie O'Byrne and her crew set up a mini restaurant. Where else could you buy an egg sandwich, a bagel, Twizzlers, a fruit bowl, a snowball, and a veggie tray all in the same place!

Kay Browning made sure that there were enough timers and relief timers. In fact, if you see one of the people who run the swim team, stop them and let them know what a good job they are doing!

It was a close race at times, but West Howard Wahoos won the meet! Next week: Andover!

Concessions Explained

Concession Responsibilities for each Swim Team family:

Each family is responsible for donating the following:

1. 1 case (24 cans) of soda or 1 case (24 bottles) of spring water or an 8-pack of sports drinks due before first meet (June 20) -- see donation list on Swim Team bulletin board.

All drink donations are collected prior to the first meet (June 20) for the entire swim season and kept in the storage room. These drinks are sold at the meet and used for swim team parties during and at the conclusion of the season.

2. Families must donate one food item per home meet due the night before the meet or the morning of the meet if perishable. There are three home meets -- June 20, July 3, and July 18. See food item donation list on Swim Team bulletin board.

If your child is not swimming in the meet, it is recommended that you sign up to bring non-perishable items that may be left with the concessions manager prior to the meet.

Since the snack bar requires much assistance in order to run smoothly, any help is appreciated. A helping hand (even from adults who are not signed up for concessions) is extremely helpful while the snack bar is being set up (prior to the meet) and during clean-up (at the conclusion of the meet).