Students from the Glendale Community College Adaptive Aquatics class participated in a swim-a-thon last month to support the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC) and its annual “Be a Champion for the RBAC” campaign.

            The college has been renting pool space from the RBAC for the past three years for use by the Adaptive Aquatics class, part of the Disabled Students Program and Services.  The class has students of 18 to 70 years old and meets for an hour, two days per week.  The students have disabilities that range from vision and hearing difficulties to Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.  The buoyancy of the water makes it possible for the students to exercise safely and without fear of falling.

Twenty-two students swam laps as part of the swim-a-thon while being cheered on by their instructors.  “Our students and our instructors have learned so much and enjoyed our time at the RBAC that we felt it was important to contribute back to the funding that was supporting us,” explained Dr. Lee Parks, GCC Adaptive Physical Education Specialist.  “We encouraged our students to challenge themselves with the swim-a-thon and obtain sponsors who pledged payments for every lap we were able to swim.  We have raised a little over $2,000 and have been inspired by the community support for our program as well as the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center where we have been privileged to study.”

            On Friday, Dec. 7 in the GCC Auditorium, the class presented the check to representatives of the RBAC.  “The RBAC is a non-profit organization and we are proud to work with organizations including GCC who enrich the lives of students and help them acquire skills for a lifetime of healthy recreation,” commented Leilani Scholtz, co-director of the RBAC Therapy Pool Program.  “We are inspired by the generosity of our community and by the appreciation of the students and faculty.”