Daniel Gonzales

Lewis Swim and Dive Seniors pose in celebratory attire. (From left to right): Hoang Do, Blanca Maldonado, Jael Soto Siles, Gerardo Hernandez, Allison Orozco de Paz, Alex Isenberg, Stephanie Rodriguez, (not pictured: Mohammed Qamar)

With the swim season coming to an end, heightened emotions arise in the seniors who are swimming with the team for the last time. 

To honor the seniors, Coach Jeremy Goldstein and junior captains Daniel Gonzales, Madison McLaughlin, and Mae Lazear initially prepared senior night during a swim meet against Hayfield on January 20. 

Senior night is when seniors of a sports team are embraced with love, honor, and gifts from their teammates, coaches, and loved ones for their hard work and dedication to the team while also celebrating their last year of high school. 

The junior captains worked diligently preparing baskets filled with gifts, handwritten cards, and posters. However, plans were put on pause when the inclement weather in Fairfax County forced the cancellation of the meet and senior night. 

After news of the cancellation, “Coach Jeremy and the junior captains’ were very upset since we wanted to give the seniors a really good senior night,” Gonzales said. 

Coach Jeremy and the junior captains’ immediately came together to think of an alternative. Junior captain Mae Lazear devised a plan for senior night that blended with a Lewis swim team tradition – pasta night dinner, where the team carb-load themselves with food, snacks, and drinks the night before a swim meet. 

The plan came to fruition on Jan 24 at the Lewis cafeteria after swim practice. 

Much to the surprise of the seniors, the entire swim and dive team worked together to decorate the cafeteria with balloons, streamers, and posters, and assemble the gift baskets. The team and their parents prepared and brought a variety of pasta dishes, desserts, and drinks for everyone to enjoy. 

The junior captains presented each senior with their own sash and tiara, which brought much joy and laughter to the team – especially since the junior captains were adamant that the seniors wear their gifts during their commemoration. 

The seniors were lined up and called up individually to be presented with a gift basket while being introduced with their favorite swim event, plans for after high school, and favorite team memory. 

During the commemoration, it was evident that the team had such an impact on the seniors and vice versa.

As their time on the team draws to a close, the seniors start to reminisce about the memories and growth made from joining Lewis’ swim team. 

Senior captain Gerardo Hernandez reflected on how the swim team has changed him. 

“Swim not only motivated me to become active and healthy, but it also changed me for the better as it made me more open to myself. Coming onto the team, I was a little shy, but in the end, I became so connected with the entire swim team that I felt more confident and comfortable showing my true self around others,” Hernandez said. 

Senior captain Alex Isenberg spoke fondly of Lewis’ swim team’s growth during his four-year tenure. 

“I’ve been swimming for this team for four years, and I’ve seen it grow and change a lot over time. It’s just surreal, and I feel like this team really makes people feel important.”

Some seniors started to get emotional not only because they are starting a new chapter of their lives soon; they are also leaving behind the close relationships made while swimming for the team. Even some underclassmen swimmers started to get emotional. 

Senior captain Blanca Maldonado mentioned how the close bond the swim team shares. 

“Everyone shares such a close bond, no matter the age gap. Every person on the team is very cohesive, and their personalities blend perfectly well together,” Maldonado said. 

With the team being small, it hinders their chance of a team win. However, the team could care less about a collective win or lose; instead, the team focused on self-improvement, camaraderie, and perseverance every day of its season – something that is very striking to the seniors. 

“Even though swim is a sport about [obtaining points], the team mostly cares about perseverance and encouraging others to perform their best and improve at every meet. That’s something I’ll definitely miss about the swim team,” Hernandez said. 

To end Senior Night, Coach Jeremy shared his immense gratitude in his send-off message to the seniors that made the team what it is now. 

“Our seniors have been a very vital part during their tenure with this team, and it wouldn’t be the same without them. Each of them has a very unique personality and a lot of enthusiasm at every meet cheering on their teammates and friends. While they’re leaving, they’ll never be forgotten, and they’ll be a part of this team forever. I will miss them a lot, and I wish them all the best!” Coach Jeremy said.

Though this Senior Night was different than in previous years, this edition allowed the team to spend time with each other and display the importance and impact of camaraderie built into a team that will serve the swimmers as a core high school memory.

Tam Ha is the manager of the Lewis Swim and Dive Team.