Oakley has been a member of The Down East Family YMCA since she was born in 2010. For most of her young life, she has been a Y kid following in sister Fiona’s footsteps. Both sisters participate in swim team and the outside dryland training the team did last spring and summer. Fiona has been a Y kid her whole life starting in day care and preschool with Miss Jess and now is a lifeguard and swim instructor.
When reflecting on The Y shutdown last spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Oakley says she loves swimming and training because it helps her sleep better which makes a big difference in her life. She also missed her friends and teammates when they couldn’t practice. She appreciates that swim and exercise in general is a great way to spend time with them. She values the exercise she gets, the friends she’s made and getting to know staff and other members. When they are out in town and people say Hi to Oakley it’s always, “Friends from The Y.”
Both of Oakley’s Moms love that their girls have a safe and supportive place in the community.