• Names: Michaela Bailie, Sam Bedrosian, Jessica Cameron, Teddy Galgano, Megan Hoins, Dan LePere, Larkin O’Connor, Colin Quinn, Amy Rivera and Jessica Trombacco
• School/Camp: Brewster High School (BHS)/Town Beach
• Accomplishment: Getting up early five mornings each week to volunteer three hours daily as swim aides (for six weeks!)
• Key to Awesomeness: Generosity, enthusiasm for getting involved

At the beginning of the summer, 14-year-old Michaela Bailie visited the Town of Southeast Recreation Department in the hopes of finding a seasonal job. She wanted to apply for a swimming aide position at Tonetta Lake park, a camp she's attended since the first grade.

“Unfortunately, I had to tell her that we did not have room in our budget for swimming aides this year,” Recreation Department Leader Patricia Bohrman said.

Bailie did not leave the office discouraged, however. A few days later she came back with a proposal for an internship program that would allow community kids — many of whom are long-time camp-goers — to volunteer their time at the day camp.

“I felt bad that they didn’t have helpers this summer,” Bailie said. “It’s the main component as to why this camp is so fun.”

As part of her mission to receive the Silver Award from Girl Scouts Troop 2827, Bailie organized a group of nine other BHS students to lend their services to Bohrman and her staff of lifeguards.

“It’s a difficult thing to get young people to volunteer, especially during the summer,” Bohrman said. “I am so blessed to have these young ladies and gentlemen here with me.”

Instead of catching up on sleep or lying by the pool each morning, Bailie, along with Bedrosian, Cameron, Galgano, Hoins, LePere, O’Connor, Quinn, Rivera and Trombacco, are responsible for six groups of campers. The volunteers assist them with activities from swimming lessons to building sand castles.  

“I see myself as role model to [the campers],” Cameron said. “It’s nice knowing that someone appreciates your help because it makes you feel so good that you did this.”

Rivera, who also participates as a Girl Scout for Troop 2827, said the best part of volunteering is working with the campers.

“When you see the smiles on their faces, you know you have worked hard,” Rivera said.

Bohrman said her swimming aides should be recognized for their dedication and willingness to help their community — for free. 

“On behalf of the Town of Southeast and Tonetta Lake, I greatly appreciate their work,” Bohrman said. “I could not do it without them.”