Thanks for Bill Jones

[Stephen Blackwelder]

Mary Frances and I would like to thank the Cary Swim Club for the
invitation to this year's annual banquet.

Not every swimmer can touch the wall first, win the blue ribbons or the
gold medals, but if that swimmer does his or her very best at practice
and in meets then that swimmer is a winner. The club showed that by
awarding medallions to each of those swimmers. That was an honor that
promotes confidence and creates pride.

Swim team parents deserved the recognition they were given. They have had
a hard season. They have seen that their swimmer received proper
nutrition and rest, have gotten them to and from practice, have worked
hard at swim meets and have been available to help when called upon.
They, too, are winners.

The coaching staff has been a good one. Funny thing about coaches, a lot
a people think they just have the kids swim laps at practice then attend
the meets. The 'behind the scenes work' is the difficult part. Working
together to figure out how to improve strokes for each swimmer, then
working with that swimmer. The paper work is amazing - who to swim in
what event and who to use in relays? Then putting that together in time
for each meet. It is very time consuming. The coaches did a great job at
that and are also winners.

It was wonderful to be at the banquet surrounded by winners.

Thank you, very much, for continuing to give the award named in my honor.

A note for the swimmers. You will be going back to school very soon. I
want to ask you a question. "What kind of swimming team would you have if
they never practiced? The answer is simple, "Not very good". I want to
remind you that home work, or home assignments are practice. Keep that
utmost in mind, don't rush through your assignments, do them slowly and
properly. You won't be getting blue ribbons or gold medals but you could
very well get A's or B's and be on your way to a good college, and you
will be a 'WINNER'.


Blessings to each of you,

Bill Jones