Calista Cottingham remembers warning her daughter about potential dangers near water.

“Don’t walk on slippery rocks,” the mother said at the time.  

Yet Calista Cottingham did slip, falling into Lake Erie. She was rescued by her older brothers.

She did not know how to swim.

Two months later, the 13-year-old admitted at a swim camp she was fearful of water. And despite the weeklong event, her fear persisted. 

These two moments convinced Calista’s mother to register her in the Swim 1922 Community Water Safety Clinic.

The event, held recently at the Kohl Family YMCA on East Market Street, was part of a nationwide effort. Swim 1922 is the signature water safety and swim education initiative of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. It’s designed to address disproportionately high drowning rates in Black and brown communities.

Since 2012, the national program, which includes in-water instruction, has reached more than 100,000 people. Proponents say the program equips families with life-saving skills while building generational confidence around the water.

This year marked the first time the Swim 1922 program took place in Akron. Since 2012, the national program has reached more than 100,000 people, according to local organizers.
This year marked the first time the Swim 1922 program took place in Akron. Since 2012, the national program has reached more than 100,000 people, according to local organizers. (Submitted photo)

In Akron, a recent campaign focused on drowning prevention ahead of the summer swim season as well as on water conservation/quality. 

One of several lessons Calista learned at the inaugural event at the Kohl Family YMCA: “When drowning, don’t panic.”

Exercises began with the basics: How to get into a pool; how to remain calm in the water; dog paddling while holding on to the side of a pool; floating with flotation devices. 

Asked about sharing information she learned with friends, Calista answered, “All my friends know how to swim, but I could encourage them to practice more.”

Children participating in the Swim 1922 program at the Kohl Family YMCA listen to instructions on how to safety enter a pool.
Children participating in the Swim 1922 program at the Kohl Family YMCA listen to instructions on how to safety enter a pool. (Submitted photo)

Also in the pool, the Rogers brothers — Dakota (11), Nathan (8) and Jerimiah (4) — were among the first group of youngsters to attend the safe swimming sessions. Prior to getting wet, the older brothers expressed some nervousness, but the youngest jumped right in.

Their grandmother, Linda Lanier, felt strongly about her grandsons learning to swim. She knew they liked to play in water, but she wanted them to understand they do not know how to swim, and therefore they have to learn to be safe in water and around water.

“The water is a lot stronger than they are,” Lanier said, “and the three of them need to be aware of the many factors of safety when enjoying water play and actually swimming.”

THE exquisite Eta Delta Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. poses for a photo during the Swim 1922 program at the Kohl Family YMCA in Akron.
THE exquisite Eta Delta Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. poses for a photo during the Swim 1922 program at the Kohl Family YMCA in Akron. (Gary Estwick / Signal Akron)

Patricia Sheahan is a professor, student teacher supervisor, installation artist, educational consultant for the integration of the arts across all disciplines and a freelance writer. Sheahan enjoys more than four decades of education experience at K-12 schools in New York and Pennsylvania and higher education at Seton Hill University, the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Penn State and most recently the University of Akron. Her favorite courses to teach are Social Justice Through the Arts, Ethics, Introduction to Critical Education, Classroom Management and Integrating the Arts K-12. Interests include visiting the Akron Art Museum, Akron Library, Civic Theatre, walking downtown to view murals and window light installations plus the stunning flower and plant arrangements, antiquing, especially from her own vendor space at The Brothers North Antiques in Medina. She also frequents Akron restaurants and local boutiques, travels and spends time with her family; a daughter and her newly blended family in North Canton, a son and his family in San Diego and a son in Dallas.