Although Joseph Candela is a self-proclaimed "Math and Science guy," the fourth-year Summit Family Aquatic Center lifeguard is also a "pool rat" who spent many summer days at the community pool before becoming a lifeguard in 2007. "I came here every day in the summer," Candela said. "When I was old enough, I thought that lifeguarding would be a fun way to make some money. I spent most of my time here anyway, so it just made sense. Lifeguarding is great because you get to be outside all day and enjoy the fresh air." Candela grew up in Summit and was a 2009 graduate from Saint Peter's Prep in …
Garrett Lerner is enjoying a memorable and busy few months. In April and May, he helped the Summit High School varsity baseball team earn its most successful season since 1998. On June 23, the 18-year-old moved his graduation cap tassel from the right side to the left and received his high school diploma. For the remainder of the summer, you can find Lerner lifeguarding at the Summit Family Aquatic Center. While in school at Summit High, Lerner was a member of both the baseball and swimming teams. He was starting catcher on the varsity baseball team this past spring, and was instrumental in …
When Matt Hicks leads, others follow. Having honed his leadership skills as both a lifeguard at the Summit Family Aquatic Center and in college as a Resident Assistant, he knows what it takes to be in charge. Hicks grew up in Summit and graduated from Summit High School in 2009, where he played ice hockey and golf for the Hilltoppers. The 19-year-old enjoyed growing up in Summit and cites Randazzo Pizzeria as his favorite restaurant in the Hill City. Following high school, Hicks enrolled in Niagara University in upstate New York, where he received an academic scholarship. The rising sophomore…
John Dougherty has a knack for helping people. The sixth-year Summit Family Aquatic Center lifeguard not only spends his time ensuring the safety of the hundreds of kids who frequent the SFAC, but also hopes to become a police officer after graduating from college. "I wanted to become a lifeguard because I like helping out the kids at the pool, and I thought it'd be a fun way to make some money," Dougherty said. "After I graduate from college, I want to be a cop." Dougherty is a rising sophomore at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a Criminal Justice major and an outside…
Sophie Mannaerts loves to travel. The 21-year-old aspires to become a travel nurse, and has visited a number of U.S. cities and a few countries abroad. She even enjoys reading about traveling: her favorite author is well-known travel writer, Bill Bryson. Before flying to Belgium in August, Mannaerts will work her seventh summer at the Summit Family Aquatic Center. "Traveling is a great way to learn new things and meet new people," Mannaerts said. "When my sister and I were little, my parents would load the tent onto the car every summer and we would spend a week or two on different road trips…
Dana Kwitnicki enjoys helping people and making a difference. The 21-year-old is entering her sixth year as a lifeguard at the Summit Family Aquatic Center and aspires to become a Physician Assistant after graduating from college. A native of Summit, Kwitnicki was a member of the Summit Sharks swim team before becoming a lifeguard for the community pool six years ago. Kwitnicki graduated from Summit High School in 2007, where she played varsity basketball and softball for the Hilltoppers. Following high school graduation, Kwitnicki studied in sunny Australia before putting down more permanent…
If you look up "All-Around" in the dictionary, chances are you'll see a picture of Brencis Navia. The fourth-year lifeguard at the Summit Family Aquatic Center knows how to juggle numerous responsibilities: lifeguard, volunteer, coach, student, college athlete, and more. Navia graduated from Summit High School in 2009, where he played baseball his freshman year, ran track his sophomore and junior years, and was a four-year varsity letterman on the swim team. He was the captain and MVP of the swim team his senior year and helped the Hilltoppers win the State Sectional Championship. The 19-year…
Lifeguarding seems to run in the Carbone family. Dana Carbone, a fourth-year lifeguard at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, is joined on most days by her older sister and sixth-year guard, Carlee, each summer at the outdoor community pool. Dana graduated from Summit High School in 2009, where she played softball, field hockey, and ice hockey for the Hilltoppers. The 18-year-old is a rising sophomore and Spanish major at Loyola University in Maryland. Carbone plans to study abroad next fall in order to continue to develop her second language and perhaps pursue a future career in international …
Summit Family Aquatic Center lifeguard, Carlee Carbone, knows what it's like to perform under pressure. The 20-year-old recently helped save a young girl while on duty at a fifth grade pool party. "My first save was actually this year," Carbone recounted. "I was at a fifth grade pool party, and a girl at the party panicked. We had to go in with a backboard to help her. It was scary but she was fine in the end." Carbone, a Summit native and 2007 graduate of Summit High School, is a rising senior and journalism major at the University of Rhode Island. She hopes to relay the life skills she's …
