Summer 2019Newsletter

Jack JablonskiHitting back!

Recipient Updates

Campaignhighlights

Satellitereport

Loookingforward toour 40th

Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund University of Southern California • Heritage Hall 203B • Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602

Please check out our website at www.swimwithmike.org to learn more about our fundraising activities, or to join our team as a Campaign Director!

More than $23million raised in scholarship support since 1981

Total Swim With Mike scholarship recipients: 254

Total sports represented: 60

Total schools represented: 134

Scholarship dollars awarded for 2019-20: $ 1,065,096

2019-20 Scholarships: 64 (49 universities nationwide)

COMING UP

By the NUMBERS

We could not have accomplished this without your help. Thank you!

April 4, 2020 • USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center

Hawaii - September 2, 2019(In conjunction with Waikiki Roughwater Swim)

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center March 30 - April 3, 2020

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Presented by UBSApril 3 & 4, 2020

San Diego - TBA

USC Homecoming October 19, 2019.

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. .

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Design: Mike Navarro

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Thank you to all our volunteers, CampaignDirectors and contributors for yourgracious efforts to make our 39th AnnualSwim With Mike campaign a success, andaffording us all the opportunity to further ourmission to provide educational scholarshipsfor more outstanding, deserving physicallychallenged student recipients.

On behalf of all our recipients and their families,we would like to emphasize our appreciationfor all your support and participation overour 39th year. Our combined efforts havehelped 15 of our scholarship recipients tograduate this year, and I am pleased to sharetheir letters of gratitude on the followingpages.

Our 39th Annual Swim With Mike is theculmination of months of planning andvolunteer activity. At 5am on event day, youwill find USC Helenes, Friends of Helenesand dedicated volunteers gathered aroundthe pool creating the Balloon Arch, postingLane Donor signs, hanging banners, unloadinghundreds of boxes to set up the GeneralStore, Treasure Chest, Registration, SilentAuction, Hospitality, Special Guests, MassageCenter, Masters Swim and Swim Clinic, settingup Pancake Breakfast and BBQ on the footballpractice field, preparing for the WheelchairBasketball Tournament and getting ready towelcome our many guests and participants.

It’s rewarding and gratifying to see the annualcommitment from our loyal volunteers year

after year who gladly do their part in helpingthese young people create a new future forthemselves. USC Helenes, USC Hospitality,USC Credit Union, USC Transportation,USC Athletics, USC Trojan Marching Band,and of course Traveler. Gifts (truly) In Kindfrom our generous friends Bob McKnight(Quiksilver), Joe Wirht (Topson Downs), JeffMoore (Global Protein Group) Bob Steuber(Alta Water), Mike Navarro (Graphic Design),Brian Kennedy (billboards), volunteers, cam-paign directors and contributors all investingtime and resources to do their part. Many of these volunteers are long-time, belovedteam members who have done their jobs forso long that it has become their family tradi-tion, and we love it.

All this is why we are able to continue tospread the SWM ripple effect – and we simplycould not experience our notable successwithout this legion of friends who sharetheir heartfelt passion to accomplish ourSWM mission. I hope you will join us onApril 4, 2020 to celebrate our 40 years ofsupporting physically challenged athletes toenhance their future with a life changingeducational experience.

With gratitude,

Swim With MikeFounder and Executive Director

The essence ofachievement isgratitude.

Photos by Dan Avila

With your help, the 39th AnnualSwim With Mike Campaign raisedover $1,600,039, including $400,000in new endowment and brings our totalEndowment to over $4 million. Our totalraised going into our 40th year is over $23million. We are most grateful for your loyalsupport and participation inmaking this a reality for ourPhysically Challenged Ath-letes Scholarship Fund.

The 2018-19 campaignproduced the re-sources for ourBoard of Directorsto evaluate, interview and nom-inate Physically Challenged Ath-letes Scholarship Fund studentscholarship applicants. Applicants are inter-viewed to determine their merit, dedicationand determination to successfully completetheir educational and personal aspirations.

The USC Physically Challenged AthletesScholarship Fund received an incrediblenumber of extremely qualified, talented,outstanding applicants again this year. As eachBoard member contacted his or her assignedscholarship applicant, they evaluated themaccording to the strict guidelines set forthby the stated requirements in our Bylaws.Each applicant is nominated and discussedat our Annual Board of Directors meeting,followed by the questions and votes for

approval. Of the 30 new applicants, 23 wereeligible and approved for funding.

In addition to the criteria listed above,returning recipients also must complete agrade and participation report. Renewalsare accepted if they have over a 2.5 GPA

and actively participatedin pre-determinedactivities to supportour SWM mission.The assigned Boardmember acts as amentor through-out the academicyear to encouragethese pursuits.

On behalf of the Board,we are happy to announce that

we have accepted our largest class of 64Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients forthe 2019-20 academic year. Twenty-three ofthis total are new and we have 41 returningrecipients.

We are quite proud of these outstandingindividuals, and it is rewarding for us ALL tosee the breadth of reach our program hasachieved – we will now have Swim WithMike scholarship recipients at 49 universitiesnationwide this year. And, the totals sinceour 1981 inception are 254 scholarshiprecipients at 134 universities nationwide ––thanks to all of you.

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The Ripple Effect. Charting how and when our influence

creates waves to change lives

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Swim With Mike

2019Swim With Mike

2019What a great day for Swim With Mike! Ourcurrent and alum scholarship recipients,their families and friends, donors, volunteersand community friends joined us at the UytengsuAquatics Center for a terrific day of celebrationand acknowledgement.

The day’s activities included our Masters Swim Workout,Swim Clinic, Raffles and Silent Auction, DivingExhibition, The Biggest Splash Contest, BBQ,Football Player/Song Girl Relay, WheelchairBasketball Championship Game, and of course

Traveler, the Trojan Marching Band, Song Girlsand Spirit Squad. How could all that NOT be fun?

A very special highlight of the day was our annualrecognition ceremony where we heard from two ofour graduating SWM scholarship recipients and our13th Annual Claire Snow Volunteer of the Year Awardrecipient, Yvonne Bogdanovich. Upon receiving heraward, she told us of her gratitude for her rewardingexperiences as a SWM volunteer, and how much eachand every scholarship recipient means to her. Yvonne’sloyal dedication to SWM is legendary and we are sovery appreciative of her devotion to our mission.

Jack Jablonski shared how his amazing time at USCimpacted his personal, education and professionallife. See more about Jack on page 7.

Molly Fausone (University of Michigan Medicine, 2019;Stanford University BS Human Biology, 2012) wasthrilled to share her inaugural USC SWM event expe-rience. She expressed her profound appreciation toSwim With Mike for the 11 years of scholarship support.Her experiences in both undergrad and post gradstudies have allowed her to pursue her dreams ofmedical school and achieve her goals as one of ourscholarship recipients.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be at the famous USCSwim With Mike event for the first time this year –what an amazing event! It was especially fun to meetmy fellow SWM scholarship recipients and learn howmuch we all have in common. Also fun to introducemy family to everyone and share our hard foughtaccomplishments. The future before me is full of thepromise of rewards and success, and simply put, SwimWith Mike made it all possible. I am forever grateful.”

Our recognition ceremony brings it home to all of usand truly renews our faith in the goals of our mission.Thank you again to all our friends who make this day– and the incredible outcomes – a possibility.

Kevin Schallert (USC Marshall School of Business MBA,2018) joined us on April 6 for his first event as a

Swim With Mike alumnus.

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Many of our Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipients – both current and alums – joined in the fun-filled day of activities at the USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center for our 39th Annual event. $1,065,096 in scholarships have been awarded for 2019-2020.

Swim With Mike Scholarship Alum Daryl Holmlund greetsSwim Clinic participants from Bethune Middle School.

Tyler Hoog (USC MFA Screenwriting, Spring 2019) and his family at the USC SWM event. Pictured l-r Thomas Hoog,

mom Kim and dad Michael, Cassie Palmisano, Sandy Hoog,Carly Palmisano, Michele Hoog, and Tom Hoog.

Volunteers Elyssa Romo, Kathleen DeCristo, Mara HunterRedden, Patrick Stanton, James Hawk and Avi Bernard

getting ready to set up for our 39th Annual Swim With Mike event at the USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center.

Masters Swim workout participants with UCLA Head SwimCoach Cyndi Gallagher and members of her Bruin swim team.

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Oscarca Oscar Mendoza (1939 - 2019)waseveryone’s friend, and an espe-cially generous and loyal friendto Swim With Mike. He was withus from the start in 1981, andinitiated our famous BBQ offeringthat is a highlight of each annualcelebration. His efforts over theyears have been legendary.

Each and every year, Oscar wouldrecruit volunteers to help out atthe BBQ, and the majority ofthem were his family members –his wife, Rebecca, his childrenand grandchildren, uncles andcousins – who also deserve ourappreciation.

Oscar worked all year ’round toget food and beverages donatedto cook and serve at the BBQ. Justthink of all the chicken, beef,baked beans, salads and drinksthat were consumed over his manyyears of volunteering for SwimWith Mike! All this while he wasa full-time USC employee run-ning the iconic Faculty Center. Infact, the Faculty Center staffadopted SWM as a communityservice to give back to students.

Oscar was our inaugural SWMClaire Snow Volunteer of theYear Awardee in 2007, settingthe high bar for those to follow.In 2009, the new USC UniversityClub honored Oscar with the“Oscar Mendoza Fountain andCourtyard”, and he received theUSC Staff Club Member of theYear Award in 2008.

In Oscar’s memory, SWM hosteda Memorial Reception at theUSC Uytengsu Aquatics Center.His family and friends gatheredto remember our wonderful,gracious friend. He will alwaysremain in our hearts.

Remembering

Mike Nyeholt with Oscar Mendoza on the pool deck at a Swim With Mike event. Oscar supervised the barbeque at each year‘s event for many

years, setting a high bar for all who would follow.

“I would say that our success is because of volunteers likeOscar and Rebecca Mendoza. Since the very beginning, wehave never had to ask Oscar if he would be willing to cook forthe 1,500-2,000 participants, donors and volunteers. In addition,he gets all the food donated from his various friends in the foodand beverage business. He recruits the volunteer cooks and serversand we do not have to worry about anything. Everyone looksforward to the “Oscar BBQ” including the entire football teamfollowing their Spring Practice and Swim With Mike.”

– Ron OrrSeptember 2008, USC Emeriti Center Newsletter

He was on track to reach his goal of playingin the NHL as a high school sophomoreplaying varsity ice hockey at the legendaryBenilde-St. Margaret High School. His coachesprojected him to be a Division I college prospect.Ice hockey is a big deal in Minnesota, and Jackand his school were the biggest of deals in 2011.

Then, it happened. December 30, 2011. In arivalry game, Jack was hit by two op-ponents with a dirty hit of elbows tothe neck. He crashed down ontothe ice and lay motionless. Hisparents and teammatesrushed to his side andJack said, “Dad, I can’tfeel my legs. I can’tfeel anything.”He hadsevered his spinalcord and fracturedtwo vertebrae. Physi-cians at the emer-gency room told hisparents, Leslie and Mike, thatJack could be a paraplegic, butmost likely a quadriplegicfor the rest of hislife.

His conditionsoon lit a fireand stirred

his sheer determination and competitive nature.He began an intensive rehab program 10 hoursa week and pushed himself, his family andcolleagues to move forward, thinking that “letthe bad days come as they will and enjoy thegood moments – you are going to have both.”

Jack left Minnesota and started at USC AnnenbergSchool of Communications in 2015. Life in

California was completely different fromhis Minnesota upbringing. In additionto the geographic changes, he didn’tknow anyone at USC when hestarted. So he joined TKE fraternityand attended all the Swim WithMike activities, where he quicklymade friends and started enduringrelationships.

Jack has held on to his passion for icehockey; it continues to motivate him.He has been an intern at the LosAngeles Kings for four years, where heworks in public relations and on the

KIngs podcast. This internship hasled to a full-time opportunity

when Jack finishes up and receives hisCommunicationsdegree fromUSC later thisyear.

t happened. December 30, 2011. In agame, Jack was hit by two op-ts with a dirty hit of elbows tock. He crashed down ontoand lay motionless. Hists and teammatesto his side andd, “Dad, I can’ty legs. I can’tthing.”He hadd his spinalnd fracturedrtebrae. Physi-at the emer-room told hiss, Leslie and Mike, thatuld be a paraplegic, butikely a quadriplegice rest of his

nditiona firerred

School of Communications in 201California was completely diffehis Minnesota upbringing. Into the geographic changes,know anyone at USC wstarted. So he joined TKEand attended all the SwMike activities, where hmade friends and startedrelationships.

Jack has held on to his passhockey; it continues to motHe has been an intern atAngeles Kings for four years,works in public relations an

KIngs podcast. This interled to a full-time op

when Jack fiand recCommdegUSye

Jack Jablonski NHL was always the goal

“All this is because Swim With Mike has afforded me the opportunity toattend USC and intern with the Kings for the past four years. With justone more semester left of classes to finish up my degree I am now in theprocess of working with the Kings to finalize a full-time job. Hockeyhas always been my goal, and will always be in my life. The opportunitywith the Kings is part of that long-term goal.”

– Jack Jablonski

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The Campaign DirectorsRaising Funds and Awareness for Swim With Mike

Katie Pasichuke (USC Interna-tional Relations, Global Business,Spring 2020) gathered her friends,classmates, fellow Kappa AlphaThetas and USC Panhellenic mem-bers to celebrate Swim With Mikeat Rock & Reilly’s in USC UniversityVillage. A crowd of about 150joined in the fun and raised ahealthy amount of newfoundawareness and support for SWM.

“Lots of USC athletes and Greekmembers were in attendance tosupport my 5-10pm fundraiser! I advertised to lots of sororitiesand fraternities through socialmedia leading up to the day, andso many came to meet me forboth after-class dinner and drinkslater.”

Thanks to Katie, her friends andthe good will of Rock & Reilly’smanagement for sponsoring thisevent and for their generous 20%donation of the evening’s proceeds.

Swim With Mike alum and new Board member NatalieBuchoz (USC Public Relations 2015)organized her Fourth AnnualSpin With Mike Karma Ride atCosta Mesa’s Gritcycle. The highlyanticipated event was again soldout within an hour after theevent details were announced.

Natalie’s fellow Swim With Mikealum Marty O’Connor (ChapmanMBA 2017) came along for theride, and gave an inspirationalmessage to the group abouthow much Swim With Mike hasimpacted his life and allowed

him to pursue his graduatedegree. He tells us:

“All of our lives are character-ized by challenges, choices andoutcomes. I firmly believe thatthe challenges or adversities thatwe face can be used to propel usforward in ways we could nothave imagined. In 2012, I suffereda spinal cord injury that left meparalyzed from the shouldersdown. From that point on, I havebeen on a relentless pursuit ofprofessional development andSwim With Mike has helped meto achieve my goals.”

Recipient Natalie Buchoz, who organized the fourth Annual Spin With Mike Karma Ride, with fellow SWM scholarship alum Marty O'Connor, who delivered an inspirational message

about how Swim With Mike has helped him to achieve his goals.

Katie Pasichuke gathered friends and classmates to celebrate Swim With Mike's39th Annual event during USC SWM Week.

Karma rides again!

Katie’s 2019 Campaign

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This year's SWM Wheelchair BasketballTournament boasted six teams of fiveplayers each. Competition started Friday ofUSC SWM Week with elimination games.Participating teams included USC Rec Sports,Phi Kappa Tau, Women’s Club Basketball,USC Helenes, Team SWM and Team Rohan.

After a delicious Jersey Mike’s lunch, theTournament tipped off at noon in the LyonRec Center. A wildly spirited afternoon ofcompetition whittled the contest down totwo teams to meet for the championship.

Team SWM and Team Rohan beat out theirrivals to play in the Championship Game onSaturday at the 39th Annual Swim WithMike Event. Zack Wentz, Team SWM Captain,is our WCBB Founder and SWM alum recip-ient (USC Economics 2018.) Zach Pickett,Team Rohan Captain, is also a SWM alumrecipient (USC Business 2018.)

Joining Team Rohan was scholarship recipientTommy Venos (University of Alabama,K i ne siology 2022), who flew in to playin our tournament after playing with hisAlabama team to win the 2019 NationalWheelchair Basketball Championship.

In an epic game, Team Rohan and TeamSWM battled back and forth for the victory.Ultimately, Team Rohan prevailed in thegame’s final seconds, 40-39!

A grateful thank you to our presentingsponsor – UBS – for three years of helpingus expand this exciting event. Clearly, UBS’sinvestment is providing rewarding returnsto us all.

We would also like to thank student volunteerMiles Kay, his dedicated committee membersand USC Rec Sports for their tremendouslysuccessful efforts to arrange for donatedadaptive wheelchairs and for the transportto/from USC for the tournament.

The annual Swim With MikeWheelchair Basketball

championship game provedto be a fierce battle to thefinish – the final basket proclaimed the winner of the 40-39 contest! What a set-up for next year's Tournament.

Final Game Brings on the HEAT!Wheelchair Basketball presented by UBS

Swim With Mike across the United StatesColleges and universities attended by Swim With Mike recipients

Arizona State UniversityAuburn UniversityAzusa Pacific Barry UniversityBethel CollegeBoise State UniversityBucknell UniversityBrigham Young UniversityBYU Hawaii Cal Poly San Luis ObispoCal West School of LawCalvin CollegeCapella UniversityCedarville University

Chaminade UniversityChapman UniversityClaremont Graduate UniversityCollege of William and MaryColorado State UniversityColumbia UniversityConcordia University, ChicagoCSU Dominguez HillsCSU Fullerton CSU Long Beach CSU Los AngelesCSU NorthridgeCSU SacramentoCSU San Marcos

Davidson CollegeDominican UniversityDrexel SacramentoDrexel UniversityFairfield UniversityFlorida International UniversityFordham UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGonzaga UniversityGrand Canyon UniversityHarvard Extension SchoolHawaii Pacific UniversityIliff School of Theology

John Paul the Great UniversityJohns Hopkins University Loyola Marymount UniversityMaryland Institute College Mayville State UniversityMetropolitan State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State Univ.Massachusets Instituteof TechnologyMontclair UniversityNebraska Wesleyan UniversityNew York UniversityNorth Central UniversityOhio State University

Oregon State UniversityPacific UniversityPenn State WilliamsportPepperdine UniversityPortland State UniversityQuinnipiac UniversityRamapo CollegeRandolph Macon CollegeRegis UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySavannah CollegeSeattle UniversitySo. Connecticut State UniversitySo. New Hampshire University

Southwestern School of Law Stanford UniversitySyracuse UniversityUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of California BerkeleyUniversity of California DavisUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of DenverUniversity of California Irvine University of CaliforniaLos AngelesUniv. of California San DiegoUniv. of California Santa Barbara

University of Central FloridaUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of DenverUniversity of HawaiiUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of IowaUniversity of LaVerneUniversity of MarylandUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Minnesota DuluthUniversity of Missouri ColumbiaUniversity of Nevada RenoUniversity of New Hampshire

University of New HavenUniversity of North CarolinaUniversity of North DakotaUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of OklahomaUniversity of OregonUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Puget SoundUniversity of RichmondUniversity of San DiegoUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of TexasUniversity of Texas Arlington

University of VirginiaUniversity of WisconsinUtah State UniversityUtah Valley UniversityVanderbilt UniversityVanguard UniversityVirginia Tech Washington State Univ.Western New England UniversityWestern State LawWestern Universityof Health SciencesWhitman College

Schools attended by SWM Recipients:

OurGraduates

Abigail BennettBrigham Young UniversityB.S. Physiology and Developmental Biology(Spring 2019)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support that allowed me to attend Brigham Young University. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology and Developmental Biology last week! I know without a doubt that this achievement would not have been possible without the support I received from Swim With Mike.”

Spencer FoxUniversity of Southern CaliforniaViterbi School of EngineeringM.S. Materials Engineering (Spring 2019)

“I have been a recipient of the Swim With Mike scholarship for thepast five years. In that time, I have learned so much, grown as aperson in countless ways, and achieved two degrees. I was supportedand propelled forward by the SWM family at every turn. I wouldnever have been able to achieve the level of success that I havewithout the help of each member of the Swim With Mike family.”

Austin ChartersArizona State University

W. P. Carey School of BusinessB.S. Business Administration (Fall 2018)

“Without your financial – and emotional – support, I would nothave been able to make it through my sophomore year. Although Imissed a lot of school, I was still able to finish off the semester witha 4.0 GPA. Though my health issues have been lingering ever since,I’m thankful that I was able to attend the recent swimming eventat USC. It was an amazing event and I can’t wait to do my part in

raising even more funds for next year’s event.”

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In theirOwn Words

Tyler HoogUniversity of Southern California

Cinematic Arts - John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television

M.F.A. Screenwriting (Spring 2019)

“I want to thank you for the support you’ve given me over thelast six years from my journey to UNC and all the way out here atUSC. It has truly been the greatest experience of my life getting

to be a part of Swim With Mike and attending USC!”

Joseph HunsakerOregon State UniversityB.S. Business Management and Supply Chair & Logistics Management(Spring 2019)

“This June I will be graduating with two bachelors degrees. I wanted to take the time to thank you all for the amazing gift you provided me in allowing me to be part of the Swim With Mike family.”

Gregory GardnerUniversity of Southern CaliforniaViterbi School of EngineeringM.S. Computer Science (Spring 2019)

“I am happy to inform you that I will be graduating this Spring 2019semester from USC. My family and I are so grateful for the support of this amazing organization over the past year. Your support hashelped me graduate on time and allowed me to pursue a great career opportunity at the company I’ve been working at part time,and will start next month as a Data and Information Systems Specialist.Again, thank you for all your support. Fight On!”

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OurGraduates

Thomas KiddSeattle University

Albers School of Business and EconomicsB.A. Business Analytics

(Spring 2019)

“I would like to thank you all once again for supporting my education. I hope that I can give back to Swim With Mike in thefuture and help provide opportunities to people with disabilitiesand access to an education they might not otherwise have had.”

Kendra Muller-TaylorBrigham Young UniversityB.S. Neuropsychology(Spring 2019)

“I so appreciate the Swim With Mike Scholarship that has providedfor my academic success and career path options. I have enjoyedsponsoring an annual bike-a-thon, collecting for Swim With Mikeand discussing how I was able to attend BYU with the help of myscholarship. I am truly grateful for the Swim With Mike scholarshipsupport I am receiving for my education.”

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Jack JablonskiUniversity of Southern CaliforniaAnnenberg School for Communications and JournalismB.A. Communications(Fall 2019)

“As a quadriplegic in college, though different from the norm, I havethoroughly enjoyed my time at USC. Attending such a prestigious college halfway across the country from my home in Minneapolis has been made possible because of Swim With Mike. I’m beyondgrateful for my scholarship and how it’s allowed me to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

In theirOwn Words

Jake OlsonUniversity of Southern California

Marshall School of BusinessB.S. Business Administration (Spring 2019)

“Swim With Mike is one of the biggest support systems that I have had. They have helped me to be graduating from the

best university in the world. They have given me the hope andencouragement to go attack life and its challenges. They have

allowed me to play my passion in life, football. Every step of theway, Swim With Mike has been there with never ending support.

People like you make this all possible and I cannot thank youenough. Thank you for changing our lives on a daily basis.”

Ronan NelsonUniversity of California Los AngelesB.A. Political Science(Fall 2018)

“I want to sincerely thank all of your for allowing me to be a part of theSwim With Mike scholarship family and for providing almost 4 years ofsupport during my time in Westwood. Although my time at UCLA hascome to a close with my graduation, I can honestly say that I would not be in the desirable position I am without your dedication and support.”

Joshua PollardUniversity of Southern CaliforniaViterbi School of EngineeringB.S. Mechanical Engineering(Spring 2019)

“Thank you very much for your generous donations to Swim With Mike. Your support has helped me pursue my dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. I greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity.”

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OurGraduates

Kristina RipattiUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSuzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social WorkM.S.W. Social Work(Spring 2019)

“I would like to sincerely thank you for providing me with the incredible opportunity to attain my Master’s Degree in SocialWork at USC. I am proud to be a recipient of the Swim WithMike scholarship and part of the Swim With Mike family.”

Tyler VitielloMontclair State University M.A. Industrial/Organizational Psychology(Spring 2019)

“I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you who has helped contribute to my academic goals and dreams. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone in life is an education, and you have all done that for me. Had it not been for you all believing in me and choosing to help me keep my academic dreams alive, I would not be where I am today.”

Cecilia VillarruelWestern University of Health Sciences

M.S. Physician Assistant (Summer 2019)

“I am grateful and proud to be a part of an organization that uplifts and empowers people with disabilities to pursue their full potential. It is uplifting to have a group of people, many of whom

you have never met, rooting for your success. In the very near future, I hope to be in a position to return the generosity I have

experienced and pay it forward to future students. I look forwardto becoming a mentor. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you

for joining me on this wild journey of mine.”

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The Centofante Anniversary Club - $4,000Started by Al Centofante at the 10th Anniversary of Swim With Mike to honor each anniversary yearwith a $100 gift since the Fund has been in existence. As we enter our 40th year, the donation level is$4,000, and is in keeping with Al’s tradition. The Centofante Family Foundation matches all newincreases and Club member gifts.

Sponsor a Lane at All Swim With Mike Events - $1,500Sponsor a Lane at our USC Swim With Mike event and all SWM Satellite events.

Lane Sponsor - $1,000Sponsor a Lane at the upcoming 40th Swim With Mike event. Donations are recognized at the pool on the day of the event and in our Annual Yearbook.

Swim With Mike Wheelchair Basketball 6th Annual Team Sponsor - $1,000Be a Team Sponsor at our quickly expanding Swim With Mike event.

The Miller Challenge - $400The G. Willard Miller Foundation has contributed over $500,000 to Swim With Mike. Through thegenerosity of Stephen Miller and Board member Michael Thomas, the Foundation matches all $400contributions; $10 for each year since our inception.

The Tod Spieker and Masters ChallengeInternational Masters Swimming Hall of Fame member Tod Spieker will match all monies raised fromswimmers participating in the Swim With Mike Masters Challenge.

ENDOWMENTSAn Endowment Fund may be created with a minimum $100,000 gift for either scholarship or operatingfunds and is payable over a five-year period.The principal of the gift remains intact while the interestfunds generated are distributed to the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund.The Swim WithMike Endowment Fund currently has more than $4 million; our goal is to reach $10 million to supportour mission in perpetuity. We encourage endowment gifts to current accounts, or if you are interestedin establishing your own account, please let us know!

Join the wave of support. There are many ways to support Swim With Mike, and we welcome your participation as we helpchange the lives of our outstanding scholarship recipients and their future prospects of success. Westart counting for the 40th Annual Campaign on July 1, 2019, please join the Wave of Support!

Become a Campaign Director!Your support activities make us stronger and allow us to share our SWM mission with moreoutstanding scholarship recipients each academic year. Campaign Directors can create anysort of activity they choose to raise support for their campaign. Your campaign does not

need to be a large, complicated event…how about getting sponsors to support you for a fewlaps in the pool, walks around the block, walking your dog? How about skipping the fancycoffee and put that amount in a SWM CD piggy bank? Each and every dollar counts.

Your campaign can all be done online and promoted through social media.Join us today at www.swimwithmike.org to register – see you there!

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Swim With Mike

Satellite events

Our San Diego friends and volunteers led byBetsy and Mike Thomas and Nancy Phillips al-ways offer a jam-packed day of fun and fundraising.And, they did it again at their ninth Annual SwimWith Mike event at the UCSD Aquatics Center.

The day’s activities were kicked off with the UCSDMasters Swim Team workout, followed by theirFamous Pancake Breakfast, always a crowd favorite!Pool activities included a Diving Demonstration byDive San Diego, an appearance by Surf Dogs Coriand Richochet, a Wacky Relay Race, the BiggestSplash Contest and Kayak jousting.

We were happy to see our local Swim With MikeScholarship Recipients, Blake Steinecke (USC San Marcos,Business 2021), Spencer Fox (USC Materials Engi-neering MS 2019), Beatrice Lasnier deLavalette(USD Entrepreneurial Business 2022), JonathanJimenez (San Diego State, Marketing 2020), KieFujii (Seton Hall, MD 2025), Jennifer McCallson(USC MSW 2017), Tyler Warnock (USC Entertainment

Management 2009 and 2011, B.A., M.A.) andJessica Duhon Rodriguez (Concordia University,Health and Human Performance PhD, 2020). Aseach was introduced, they shared a little bit aboutwhat they are currently doing and their plansgoing forward – which was very inspirational andinformative for the crowd.

We met two future SWM scholarship recipients inSam Hussin and Alex Ruiz. The two high schoolfootball players each experienced a debilitatingleg injury this year while playing in a footballgame with their respective high school teams. Theyeach found SWM and discovered the strength ofthe relationships between recipients. Sam and Alexmet each of our scholarship recipients in atten-dance, and discovered the boundless support ofSWM, the support you just cannot put a price on.

A bountiful silent auction and raffle attractedquite a bit of activity as guests generously partici-pated in support of the Swim With Mike program.

Swim With Mike at the University of California San Diego. Front row L-R: Jonathan Jimenez, Jennifer McCallson, JessicaDuhon Rodriguez, Mike Thomas, Kie Fujii, Spencer Fox, Tyler Warnock. Back row L-R: Laurielynn Barnett,

Nancy Phillips, Alex Ruiz, Betsy Thomas, Jeff Wood, Blake Steinecke, Ron Orr, David Kobrinetz.

SAN DIEGO

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The Ninth Annual Swim-A-Thon at the Rose BowlAquatics Center kicked offtheir “Swim With MikeWeek” of fundraising lead-ing up to the 39th AnnualUSC SWM event at theUytengsu Aquatics Center.

Head Masters Swim Team Coach ChadDurieux leads the way and encouragesswimmers of all ages to “swim in themorning, at lunch or in the evening –whenever it is convenient. Bring yourschool group, club or even swim with theMasters Swim Team! Reduce stress, get inshape and help a worthy cause at thesame time!”

Participants were encouraged to obtainsponsors who may pledge a flat rate or anamount per lap with no minimum re-quired. Those who raise a minimum of$50 received a BBQ ticket for the USCSWM event, and those who raised $100 ormore received a Nike goodie bag filledwith special items, including gift certifi-cates and commemorative items.

The Rose Bowl Aquatics eventraised $10,000 for our 39thAnnual Swim With Mike andKurt Knop, President/ExecutiveDirector of the RBAC, tells us“Mike’s story and commit-ment to helping others is re-markable. It’s an honor tosupport his worthy cause, es-

pecially as he is a longtime RBAC lapswimmer. I know that all members of theRBAC community look forward to partic-ipating every year to help this greateffort.”

Culminating the RBAC SWM Week is anannual Friday morning event, whereswimmers glide through a full 10,000meter workout in which all swimmers arewelcome. Then, Saturday morning is USCSwim With Mike day and Coach Durieuxbrings his team to our Masters Workoutand Famous Pancake Breakfast.

We are incredibly grateful to our manyfriends at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Centerand their dedicated support of SWM overthe years.

Swim With Mike is an amazing charity that we at the Rose

Bowl have been privileged to be part of for the past nine

years. I have met personally with many of the recipients and

have been impressed and inspired to help these youths in

their pursuit of excellence. I hope that through our diligent

service we can build up a continuing foundation of hope and

fraternity for these students.

ROSE BOWL AQUATICS

– Head Masters Coach Chad Durieux””

Summer 2019Newsletter

Jack JablonskiHitting back!

Recipient Updates

Campaignhighlights

Satellitereport

Loookingforward toour 40th

Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund University of Southern California • Heritage Hall 203B • Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602

Please check out our website at www.swimwithmike.org to learn more about our fundraising activities, or to join our team as a Campaign Director!

More than $23million raised in scholarship support since 1981

Total Swim With Mike scholarship recipients: 254

Total sports represented: 60

Total schools represented: 134

Scholarship dollars awarded for 2019-20: $ 1,065,096

2019-20 Scholarships: 64 (49 universities nationwide)

COMING UP

By the NUMBERS

We could not have accomplished this without your help. Thank you!

April 4, 2020 • USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center

Hawaii - September 2, 2019(In conjunction with Waikiki Roughwater Swim)

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center March 30 - April 3, 2020

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Presented by UBSApril 3 & 4, 2020

San Diego - TBA

USC Homecoming October 19, 2019.

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