Courtesy: YMCA of the USA Competitive Swimming & Diving
Each year, as part of the Y’s commitment to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, YMCA of the USA and the Adolph Kiefer family selects two individuals from submitted candidates to receive the Adolph Kiefer YMCA Youth Character Award.
The scholarship resulted from the establishment of the Adolph Kiefer Memorial Fund, made possible by the generosity of the Kiefer Family. Adolph Kiefer is legend in the history of the swimming. He first fell in love with the water at Chicago’s Wilson YMCA, where he learned to swim. The 1936 Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter backstroke lost only one time in over 2,000 races, making him one of the most successful swimmers of all time. Some of his most enduring gifts to swimming came in the form of technological advancements. He is the owner of 14 U.S. patents, including the first kickboard, non-turbulent racing lane lines and the nylon swimsuit!
Each year, the award recognizes one male and one female for their excellence in academic achievement, demonstration of the YMCA core values and commitment to strengthening their community through participation in the YMCA competitive swimming program. The selected individuals will each be granted $2,500 to be issued directly to their respective institutions for higher learning for the 2020-2021 academic year.
YMCA and the Adolph Kiefer Family are honored to announce that Anna Claire Fleenor and Jack Foley have been selected as this year’s recipients of the 2020 award.
Anna Claire Fleenor, Salem Family YMCA – Anna Claire is a 2020 graduate of Salem High School (Salem, VA), and graduated with a GPA of 4.3. She has an impressive community service record including volunteering at her YMCA, leading two Christian ministry clubs and summer camps, volunteering through the National Honors Society and establishing and leading a regional chapter of the Appalachian Youth Climate Coalition. She has also served as President of a high school club focused on mentoring and supporting students who have intellectual or physical disabilities and that encourages unity among all students. Anna Claire has been involved in YMCA competitive swimming for ten years, has competed in the YMCA Short Course National meet for four years, and has been a YMCA employee for three years. She will be attending Kenyon College in the fall.
Jack Foley, Somerset Valley YMCA – Jack is a 2020 graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School (Bridgewater, NJ) where he maintained a 3.75 GPA. In the fall of 2020, Jack will attend Providence College. When he isn’t swimming, Jack volunteers with Special Olympics and with his YMCA. He has also served as an athlete representative for his USA Swimming LSC and on his high school’s student council and Newcomers Club. Most notably, Jack (together with his sister) started a foundation called #WeGotThis, focused on helping children in the pediatric neurology floor at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, NJ. Jack has been involved in YMCA competitive swimming for eleven years and has participated in the YMCA Short Course National meet for two years.
