Druid Hills High School

Dekalb County Schools

Druid Hills High School Swimmer selected to join elite Junior Advisory Board

Swim Across America, a national non-profit dedicated to raising money for cancer research through nationwide swimming events, has selected Druid Hills sophomore Lauren Ford on behalf of Dynamo Swim Club to join other elite swimmers for the inaugural Swim Across America Junior Advisory Board.

Twenty students from ten private and public high schools were nominated by their swim coaches and will represent their high schools as ambassadors of Swim Across America which has raised over $60 million dollars for Cancer Research through swim-related events from Coast to Coast. In Atlanta, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is the beneficiary, and the Atlanta Open Water Swim is held at Lake Lanier Islands on September 17th.

Miss Ford will dive into a 6-month term and spearhead team-building, awareness and fundraising within the Druid Hills community and surrounding areas all while working amongst Atlanta’s current and former Olympians who help host the Swim. Her team has chosen the name Team Dynamo Alpharetta/Team Julie Granger and plans to swim in honor of Dr. Julie Granger who is battling cancer and serving as a volunteer advisor to the Junior Advisory Board.

Assistant Dynamo Swim Club Coach C. Brian Wrighton selected Lauren based on the qualifications of being a spirited leader and influencer, and both a goal oriented and enthusiastic volunteer with a drive to make the difference. “Lauren is a natural leader with a tremendous work ethic. She has a way with her teammates that inspires and motivates through her contagious enthusiasm and will make a great asset to the Swim Across America board.” 2016 Olympic Hopeful Amanda Jo Weir, two-time Olympian as a member of the 2004 and 2012 Games, will advise and mentor the board while simultaneously training for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials in late June.

“Our junior board represents a diverse group of students who have swam and competed a lifetime together through their school swim teams, swim clubs, summer swim leagues,” said Amanda Jo Weir. “Swim Across America allows them to unite for a common cause, develop leadership skills and broaden their circles, all while serving under a dynamic group of Atlanta’s swim elite.” Just weeks after the close of Rio 2016, Lauren will lead Team Dynamo Alpharetta/Team Julie Granger alongside 20 current and former Olympians, 500 recreational and competitive swimmers, and volunteers in either a 1 mile, 5K or½-mile relay course option.

To join or help support Team Dynamo Alpharetta/Team Julie Granger, visit Team Dynamo Alpharetta/Team Julie Granger.

Druid Hills swimmer and Swim Across America’s newest junior board member Lauren Ford is flanked by Junior Board Advisors (l to r) Dr. Julie Granger and 3X Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Weir at the Swim Across America junior board kickoff at the Concourse Athletic Club on April 24.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ashton Kenny