Athlete Of The Week: Edith Spiegel

 The Cape is surrounded by water, so it makes sense that kids who grow up here are comfortable in an aquatic environment. But that’s not always the case; some families can’t afford swimming lessons or don’t have the time and resources to ensure that their children are strong swimmers.

 Enter Edith Speigel, a rising senior at Nauset High School and a member of the school’s swim team. After teaching a classmate to swim, she realized that not everyone on the Cape had the opportunity. Working with school athletic officials, she put together a program, obtained a grant from the United Way Micro Grant Program, and got Milisa Galazzi of The Family School in Brewster on board. “Nauset Swim to Start,” utilizing The Family School and Brewster Day Camp pool, was born.

 The program provides free swimming lessons to kids ages 5 to 17 in a safe environment. 

“I just love showing kids that the water's not scary. Like we literally live around it,” Spiegel said.

 Her entrepreneurial spirit and the cooperation of the Nauset Athletic Department, Brewster Day Camp and The Family School show that something positive can grow from a simple idea and a sense of community.