Meet the 2024 Summer Swim Scholarship Program Winners!
Cultivating the Bright Future of Swimming
Black Kids Swim (BKS) is thrilled to announce the two remarkable young athletes awarded our coveted Summer Swim Scholarship for the 2024 season: Makina Tiayon and Cole Morris. This achievement is not only a testament to their dedication to the sport of competitive swimming but also mirrors the essence of what we strive for with our Summer Swim Team Scholarship Program.
Our mission is to dismantle barriers and kindle a passion for swimming among Black children, affording them opportunities for growth, development, and achievement in the aquatic world and beyond.
The Summer Swim Team Scholarship Program, tailored to enhance proficiency, leadership, and confidence through competitive swimming, is a cornerstone in our effort to foster greater representation and success in aquatics. We’re committed to supporting the growth of talented swimmers like Makina and Cole, paving the way for a generation that is confident, skilled, and leading the charge in competitive swimming.
8 Year Old Makina Tiayon
At just 8 years old, Makina Tiayon has already started making waves, embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence. Swimming for the Robinhood Swim Team, Makina has shown exceptional skill and an admirable passion for the sport. Makina’s coach, Malea Burroughs, is an alumna of BKS programming and a testament to BKS’ ability to build a community as well as dynamic leaders dedicated to community service and developing the next generation of Black swimmers.
But it’s not just her prowess in the water; her perspective on how proficient swim skills benefit the Black community is enlightening. Makina views swimming competitively as a way to inspire others, a tool for encouragement, and a means to teach others, highlighting the transformative power of swimming in fostering community engagement and empowerment.
10 Year Old Cole Morris
Cole Morris, a 10-year-old swimming dynamo for the Fountain Club Swim Club, carries the torch of ambition and resilience. With eyes on reducing drowning rates and enhancing representation in competitive swimming, Cole believes in the ripple effect of proficient swim skills within the Black community. Cole’s dedication extends beyond personal achievements; and reflects a desire to use swimming as a platform to uplift and inspire, hoping to translate proficiency into opportunities to foster water safety and wellness across communities.
Cole’s coach, Malea Burroughs, is an alumna of BKS programming and a testament to BKS’ ability to build a community as well as dynamic leaders dedicated to community service and developing the next generation of Black swimmers.
Marching Towards Summer 2025
As we celebrate Makina and Cole’s achievements and anticipate their future contributions to the world of aquatics, we remain committed to broaden the horizon for young Black swimmers. The success of the 2024 Summer Swim Team Scholarship Program is BKS’ contribution to an even more vibrant and inclusive future.
We look forward to Summer 2025 with optimism, ready to develop new talents and continue our journey towards cultivating a generation of proficient, confident, and leading Black swimmers.
Congratulations to Makina and Cole! Your journey is just beginning, and the entire BKS community is cheering you on. Here’s to making waves, breaking barriers, and swimming towards a brighter future.
Interested in supporting or applying for the Summer 2025 Scholarship Program? Stay tuned for more updates and don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative journey. Together, we’re not just teaching swimming; we’re building leaders, one stroke at a time.
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