Published in the October 12, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Each October, members of the Melrose High swim team take part in a cause that is dear to their heart: the Annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. This year it was held on Sunday, October 7 and once again drew thousands, including the Lady Raider swim squad.
Now in its 22nd year, the Buddy Walk & Family Festival is hosted by the Massachusetts Down syndrome Congress to promote acceptance and inclusion, during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The event includes a three-mile walk, family festival and post-walk entertainment.
Melrose head coach Deb Deacon has a special place in her heart for this event. She and her Melrose swimmers have participated for ten years while volunteering in registration work. Her niece, Lily Grace O’Malley has Down syndrome and have inspired Deacon and her crew to participate since she was a toddler. Lily is now thirteen years old and alway at the event.
MEMBERS of the MHS swim team gather at last weekend’s Buddy Walk in Wakefield. From top left MHS alums Katie Meade and Lauren Reilly, Allison Stoelzel, captain Natasha Brown, Milania Saggese, Stefanie Overlan, Camila Werner, Maggie Doyle, Kerri Stoelzel, Katie Tully, Lucy Tyson and Grace Haseltine. Front Row l-r: Helen Burtnett, Alessia Pari di Monrovia, Anna Burtnett, Fiona Doyle and Lily Grace O’Malley. (courtesy photo)
“It has always been a heartwarming experience for the girls to give their time to something bigger than them,” says Deacon. “They are always friendly and share their smiles with the families here. Being able to support Lily, show her how special she is on this day (and every day) has been something I’ve loved to bring to the swim team.”
This year is more significant for the team as they boast on their roster a new swimmer, Anna Burtnett, who also has Down syndrome and is not letting it restrict her athletic abilities. Burnett is achieving big and small milestones in and out of the pool. Says her coach, “Anna has brought smiles and joy to the members on the team. It’s also great for her to be an active and participating member of this team. Anna is a great little swimmer and she loves to swim.”
Anna has been paired with a personal coach, of sorts. Melrose junior Fiona Doyle suffered a shoulder injury this year that limits what she can do in the water. Anna has been paired with her ‘best friend Fiona’ by her side while kicking in the water. “Fiona also pushes Anna to do more and swim longer,” says Deacon.
This team’s volunteerism goes beyond required community hours in high school. “I always tell them I will happily sign their community service hours, but I have yet to see a sheet, so it just means they want to be there,” says the coach.
Outside the water, more bonds are forming. Melrose junior Katie Tully has volunteered her time at a program called Dr. Fogel’s Sunday Swim at the Reading YMCA, where children and young adults with disabilities swim, including both Anna Burtnett and Lily Grace O’Malley, who have boded with Tully. For these “Buddy Walkers” it’s been a small and heartwarming world.
Anna also feels the support from her sister Helen Burnett, who swam for Deacon for four years. She’s been on the sidelines, along with she and Anna’s parents, Scott and Karen, rooting with MHS alums Lauren Reilly and Katie Meade. Says Deacon, “It’s so great to see graduates come back. Having the girls there to support Anna and the team was just perfect.”
As for Anna, Deacon believes strongly that the sky is the limit for the young simmer. “Anna is an amazing little swimmer and our goal, even if it takes until her senior year, is to have her swim in a meet. We believe she can do it.”
