Holly Maitland McKenna

Holly brings 48 years of American Red Cross certifications to us, from Lifeguard-to-Lifeguard Instructor Trainer and Water Safety Instructor Trainer. Teaching swimming to all ages remains her primary passion in life and she considers the ability to swim to be a core life safety skill. Holly brings her enthusiasm and patience to the foreground and has a proven record of helping students of all ages to overcome their fears and progress in this most important discipline.

Craig Merkey

Craig has worked in a variety of settings supervising, training, and educating staff members. He has managed outdoor swimming pools and organized, coordinated and managed community recreational programs, camps, and community events. Craig has 36 years of aquatic experience (lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, water safety instructor, and certified pool operator), he has expanded, added, and built on outstanding aquatics programs offered to the local community. Craig has focused on training and building the experience of the staff to provide a safe and rescue ready facility. In addition to the supervision of staff, he manages facilities, budgets and evaluates daily operations using his 25 years of administrative experience. Craig has attended and presented at the Association of Aquatic Professionals Conferences and currently serves as a Board Member. He has also been a member of the Association of Aquatics Professionals since 2012 and is a Past President. Craig is also a Designated Aquatic Professional (AqP).

Patti Wrightstone

Patti is excited to have this opportunity to work with friends and the community. She grew up being nothing less than a “pool brat”. Patti grew up at the Hummelstown Swim Club and is still a member. She has been a lifeguard for 40 years and has been teaching a variety of classes for the American Red Cross over the past 36 years (Lifeguard Instructor and Water Safety Instructor). Over the years, she has been fortunate to coach swim teams both on the east and west shores. Patti has managed, supervised and trained staff members and managed aquatic facilities.

Instructors:

Anna Stephenson

Anna has been teaching swimming for 22 years. The best part of being a swimming instructor is seeing students become confident and enjoy the water. When a student jumps in and swim independently for the first time, an instructor knows that a lifetime of enjoyment is being born. Her philosophy of teaching swimming is that it is a life skill with benefits that last a lifetime. She looks forward to continuing to see students grow their skills and have fun swimming!

Safiya Thompson

Safiya grew up in Steelton, PA. During her youth she was diagnosed with Rhematic Fever. Her doctor prescribed six weeks of boring bed rest and the following 6 years of daily penicillin. In her recovery the doctor restricted her from sports other than swimming. Her mother immediately enrolled Safiya in swim class at the YWCA. Safiya loved swimming from the start and continued swim classes from 4th grade until 12th grade. She became a lifeguard and a swim instructor while pursuing her post education.

Immediately after high school she started her first lifeguard and swim instructor position for Harrisburg Parks and Recreation. She went on to lifeguard in Columbus, Ohio, where she pursued and completed her degree in Education at The Ohio State University.

Wherever she traveled and lived she took her love for swimming and her skills so when she moved to Berkeley,California,she lifeguarded and taught swimming part time while teaching full time.

Later she moved to Saudi Arabia. While living in Jeddah she was able to teach her four daughters to swim. Three daughters went on to be on swim teams in the Harrisburg area and one daughter, became a guard and a swim instructor which makes the love and pursuit of excellence in swimming generational in Safiya's family.

Safiya tried and sought the illusive WSI once again in recent years and she appreciates the opportunity to continue teaching swimming!

Louise Hyder-Darlington

Louise is an American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. She has taught beginning to advanced swimming for over 8 years. Louise is an adjunct faculty at Penn State Harrisburg teaching classes in basic swimming and swim conditioning. She is an accomplished open water and cold-water swimmer; having completed numerous international marathon swims as well as ice swimming. Louise is the founder and head coach of Penn Heron Open Water swimming at US Masters and is also a Level 3 US Masters swim coach. She also coaches' triathletes, although loves teaching all ages.

Mallorie Wrightstone

Picture and Bio coming soon!