Spotlight: Stephy Lao

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Achievements:
• Four-year member of the varsity swim team
•Captain of varsity swim team in senior year
•‘Most Dedicated’ in 2009-2010
•‘Most Valuable Swimmer (MVP)’ in 2010-2011, 2011-2012
•Qualified to California Interscholastic Federation in sophomore and junior year

1. How has swimming impacted your life?
You get to meet a lot of new friends from being in the swim team and [are] able to earn scholarships from it. I believe that to be truly successful in swimming, it is not always the case of trying to achieve a goal, but being able to break through your own resistance to it.

2. What are your plans for the future?
My future plan is to attend Pasadena City College for two years and then transfer to a four-year university. I will continue swimming in college and hope to get a scholarship for swimming.

3. What skills have you learned from being on the team?
I have learned how to deal with winning and losing, working in a team and working with officials, teammates and coaches. I believe encouraging other swimmers is really important because the better your teammates perform, the more it will lift you and your own performance. Also, thinking of each lap as an opportunity motivates me. For example, during a swim meet, I know I cannot win first place, but I will still try my best to beat my own best time.

4. What will be your favorite memory of swim?
My favorite memory in swim was being able to swim with the relay team and how the coaches always support us [whether we won or lost].

NATE GARCIA
Sports Editor