Leticia Jimenez
Period 4
In the beginning of the year, Ms.Longi introduced us to the pool and told us we'd be getting in soon. She told us the rules, what to wear, and when we would get in. Of course I was nervous because I didn't want to put on a bathing suit in front of any guys. But eventually the day came that we got in the pool for the first time.
I remember on the first day, we were all waiting for her to take attendance and tell us to get in. Once she did, we waited in the pool for further instructions. Then she told the rest of the students and I to swim to the other end of the 4ft side. She would do this to see how well we could swim so she could divide us into groups based on how well we swam. There was group 1 for begginers, group 2 for moderate swimmers, and group 3 for people who already knew how to swim and were allowed to go to the deep side of the pool.
Initially I was put in group one because I was uncomfortable getting in the pool with a bunch of people I didn't know . Soon enough though, I became more comfortable and I moved up to group 2. There I would do paddling and breathing exercises. Most of the practicing was done against the wall and with our head above the water unless Ms.Longi or Ms.Ruby said otherwise.
Once Ms.Longi thought I was ready, she had us start stream lining to practice our paddling. Then she had us start swimming using every technique she had taught us. Even though we were getting pretty good at swimming, we wouldn't go to the deep end because we weren't ready. I remember getting water in my mouth, panicking, and coming up for air. But I also remember her pushing me to limits and making me perserverent.
On my last days of swimming I could feel the improvement I'd made since the first day I got in the pool. I could swim longer distances and hold my breath for longer. On my last day I remember being the first to have to freestyle across the 4ft side of the pool. To my surprise, I was also the first to be able to do it without coming up for air. It was that day that I realized I had learned how to swim again and it thanks to Ms.Longi.
I remember on the first day, we were all waiting for her to take attendance and tell us to get in. Once she did, we waited in the pool for further instructions. Then she told the rest of the students and I to swim to the other end of the 4ft side. She would do this to see how well we could swim so she could divide us into groups based on how well we swam. There was group 1 for begginers, group 2 for moderate swimmers, and group 3 for people who already knew how to swim and were allowed to go to the deep side of the pool.
Initially I was put in group one because I was uncomfortable getting in the pool with a bunch of people I didn't know . Soon enough though, I became more comfortable and I moved up to group 2. There I would do paddling and breathing exercises. Most of the practicing was done against the wall and with our head above the water unless Ms.Longi or Ms.Ruby said otherwise.
Once Ms.Longi thought I was ready, she had us start stream lining to practice our paddling. Then she had us start swimming using every technique she had taught us. Even though we were getting pretty good at swimming, we wouldn't go to the deep end because we weren't ready. I remember getting water in my mouth, panicking, and coming up for air. But I also remember her pushing me to limits and making me perserverent.
On my last days of swimming I could feel the improvement I'd made since the first day I got in the pool. I could swim longer distances and hold my breath for longer. On my last day I remember being the first to have to freestyle across the 4ft side of the pool. To my surprise, I was also the first to be able to do it without coming up for air. It was that day that I realized I had learned how to swim again and it thanks to Ms.Longi.