As the summer comes to an end, the series of lifeguard profiles ends with that of Maya Williams. Williams finished up her summer with a quick vacation and, in fact, just moved into her dorm at The College of New Jersey on Thursday. "It feels okay," said Williams after just a few hours in the dorms. "I had a good summer but it had to come to an end. It's a good feeling to be back at home and moving into the dorm." Williams has worked at the Summit Family Aquatic Center for three summers now, where she works with her brother Issa Williams. "My brother worked there before me," she said. "I …
The next time you're at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, keep an eye out for fourth year lifeguard Lauren Slamon. Slamon got certified four years ago when a group of her friends decided to as well. She started working at the SFAC that summer and has worked there ever since. The decision to work at the pool was an easy one for Slamon; it's where her best friend and fellow lifeguard Cynthia Steele works. "(Cynthia) was the main reason why I went to work there," said Slamon. "She made me get certified. It's really nice to work with my best friend. It makes it a lot of fun. When I was younger…
The next time you're at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, be on the look out for fifth-year lifeguard Christopher Petersen. He was certified at the local Red Cross chapter and followed in his older brother's footsteps by applying to work at the SFAC. "I like the people and I've gotten used to it," said Petersen. "I like swimming and I like the outdoors." Petersen has made one save during his time at the SFAC. It happened about two years ago, in the diving well. "There was a little kid who went down the slide and got trapped under the water," said Petersen. "He got flustered and confused. …
The next time you are at the Summit Family Aquatic Center be sure to look out for sixth-year lifeguard Issa Williams. Williams was the third member of his family to become a lifeguard, but the first to work at the SFAC. "I like that there is always something to do," said Williams. "Whether it's helping someone with a Band-Aid or cleaning out the gutters. You get a lot of freedom, too. Keith, Mr. C., or whoever the manager is at the time guide you along the way." During his time at the SFAC, Williams has made two saves. "The first was in the Leisure Pool and it was memorable because it was …
The next time you're at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, look out for lifeguard Laurel Repsha. The Berkeley Heights resident was certified at The Connection in Summit and then looked to her sister, Bre Repsha. "I basically just followed my sister because she really liked the job here," said Repsha. "They need lifeguards here every year, so I just went where she did. I definitely think it's the prime place to be because I'm able to be outside and still be able to work with the sport that I love and grew up with." Repsha is not only a lifeguard, she's also the assistant swim team coach for …
Next time you're at the Summit Family Aquatic Center be on the lookout for lifeguard Cynthia Steele. This 2010 graduate from Summit High School has worked at the SFAC for four summers now. She was even originally certified at the SFAC. "I got certified her with Lauren (Slamon) and Maya (Williams)," said Steele. "We got certified by a lifeguard here who had become and instructor. That was my first year here and then back in May I got recertified with Lauren at The Connection." Working at the SFAC was a no-brainer for Steele. She's been going to the pool "forever and ever and ever" and …
The next time you're at the Summit Family Aquatic Center, look out for lifeguard Tomas Salazar. Salazar just finished his freshman year at Vanderbilt University where he is double majoring in chemical engineering and pre-med. "I went to MOSAIC weekend, which is multicultural weekend at Vanderbilt," said Salazar. "I really liked the campus, the south is really nice, the people are really friendly. I got a really good feel for it. I liked it enough to go. Originally, I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but I wanted to have something to fall back on so I'm staying in between engineering and …
SUMMIT—The next time you drop in at the Summit Family Aquatic Center look for lifeguard Bre Repsha. The guard captain has been a lifeguard for seven years. She was made captain two years ago, and is sharing the responsibilities with Joe Candela. "Mrs. Josephs started it a few years ago," said Repsha. "She picks two head guards to mentor the younger guards and make sure everything is running smoothly when the managers aren't there. I was it last year and this year and now Joe (Candela) is the other." Repsha has been around the water all of her life. She swam with the Seals throughout grade …
