By Nora Neville, Vandegrift High School
Andi Anthony doesn’t just love to swim. She dives into the sport. You might say she lives in the water.
“Swim has given me a home away from home,” said, Andi, a 17-year-old who attends Putnam City High School. A member of the school’s swim team at Putnam City, she spends a lot of time with her swim family.
“I have met new friends and have built a strong connection with them.” She said. My teammates and I all have similar interests making it easier to communicate and be friends with one another. Personally, swimming gives me the ability to be with my friends and compete in a sport that I love.”
She loves all things friends, family and swim. As a member of her high school swim team she participates in multiple events and competitions from November through March. Andi made it to state last year and swam in the 400-freestyle relay. Andi calls it a “surreal feeling,” and diving launches it all.
“The dive in a race is the start to everything. So, you’ve really got to give it your all. When I dive it’s an adrenaline rush and the cold water sends a tingle through my whole body. I love trying to perfect my dive because it can determine how my race can go!”
Her accomplishments make it hard to believe she has only been swimming for a year. When she isn’t swimming with her teammates, she is hanging out with them whenever she can.
“We love to bake, go to amusement parks and believe it or not, swim! “Andi said.
Before swimming she spent majority of her life as a gymnast, practicing multiple hours a week. As a high school student, she is involved in multiple campus organizations. “I am a member of the swim team, yearbook, newspaper and leadership council,” Andi said.
On top of all of her extra-curriculars Andi works at Acorn Child Care in Oklahoma City. She watches kids ages 3 to 13 and loves her job.
“I have been working at Acorn Child care for about six months. I really enjoy my time there and the kids are such a joy to be around.” Andi says. “The energy the kids radiate brightens my day. It is so hard to have a bad day because they are so silly and they always make me smile! I also feel like I’ve gained so many life skills there. Whether I like it or not, I have learned to change diapers, how to sanitize areas properly and how to redirect bad behavior. If a child is having a rough time, I work with them to listen and respond quickly in all different situations. “
“After high school, as far as college goes, I plan on getting my basics done while trying to figure out my path in life and what major I want to pursue. I am currently leaning towards a journalism path but I want to keep my options open and see what is really out there for me. I have been trying to go on a college search and find the right school for me, and while at the OIDJ camp at OU, I have really found a love for the campus. “Anthony says
Andi is a huge fan of community. She loves sharing her knowledge with the younger generation, whether it involves working at Acorn Children Center or motivating her underclassmen teammates at swim meets, she finds a way to pour into others. She loves to make others smile and her energy is without a doubt contagious. Diving into the life of Andi means to embrace every moment, and create joyful ones for others.
“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.”
