Now that Memorial Day has passed, kids everywhere will be flooding to the numerous swimming pools in the Tri-Cities area to keep cool and have fun. Thanks to the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash program, a few more of Hopewell’s youth will take joy in water.

With the help of some former members Virginia Association of Competitive Swimmers swim team and a grant from the Cameron Foundation, Hopewell Recreation and Parks hosted the eight-session program, which wrapped up Thursday afternoon. A group of third grade student s from Harry E. James Elementary who had little to no experience in the water was given the opportunity to get their sea legs. It appears to have been an overwhelming success.

“Day one there was excitement but there was also a lot of fear,” said Brad Flynn, aquatics superintendent at the Hopewell Community Center. “Now we have most of them going off the diving board by themselves. Some are still intimidated a little bit, but they are at least willing to give it a try with help.”

The purpose of the Make a Splash program is to give minority and underprivileged kids the ability to learn to swim. Studies show that these groups are more likely to be weak or non-swimmers. With the help of VACS swim coach Jamie Greenwood and a host of former VACS swimmers who served as coaches, many students went from being scared to doing daring stunts.

“The first day I didn’t know what to expect, and after the first day I really didn’t know what to expect,” Greenwood said. “But these kids have gone from being afraid of the water to doing flips off the diving board and it’s only been eight sessions.”

Greenwood added that the process has been difficult, but truly rewarding.

“It’s been utterly exhausting for us, but it’s been 100 percent worth it.”

Make A Splash was brought to Hopewell by Angela White, a teacher at Harry E. James. In turn, her students, among others, were able to participate. As a parent of VACS swimmers, she felt it a priority to bring the program to the area.

“I know what swimming has done for my children as far as physical fitness and a disciplined sport and time management in school and I thought it would be a wonderful activity to bring the Hopewell children,” White said.

White noted that the fun in the pool has made a significant impact on the students’ performance in the classroom as well.

“They are really excited about swimming and in turn that really does relate to school,” she said. “I see something children that were reluctant to do homework want to participate fully in classes ... it really has helped them.”

Best of all for the students, because of the success and popularity of this year's programs, it appears that it could make an appearance again next year and in the years to come. According to Flynn, if the first clinic is successful, future Make a Splash programs receive funding from the USA Swimming Foundation to put on the events. The popularity of this year’s has sparked interest throughout the Hopewell Community and almost ensuring a return for next year.

To learn more about the USA Swimming Foundation and Make a Splash, please visit www.swimfoundation.org. For more information on VACS, please visit www.swimvacs.org.