The Colony Aquatic Park wishes to recognize Austin Galvan as its 2019 Employee of the Year, and Samantha Aguirre as its 2019 Volunteen of the Year.
Galvan is homegrown at many levels. Not only did he learn to swim at The Colony Aquatic Park, as a child he spent almost every Tuesday and Thursday summer afternoons at Public Swim. For a future lifeguard, it was an excellent start to learning rules, and facility operations.
He has always been a sports fanatic and was on both The Colony High School’s football and basketball teams. Currently a junior in Business Marketing at the University of North Texas, he hopes someday to work for professional teams such as the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers or Stars.
A lifeguard for five years, he considers the job fun and is never bored scanning from the stand or working with the kids. He has a special connection with young lifeguards and loves training new staff members. His co-workers selected him for this honor because he puts a lot of effort into work and still maintains a pleasant personality. He is reliable and thorough. His staff training workouts are fun and challenging. He is the son of Chris and David Galvan. He is following a proud tradition in his family, as both his brother, Danny and sister, Brittany have been lifeguards.
Aguirre did not take the summer off! Instead, she buckled down to a steady schedule of swim classes and tennis practice. Volunteering with The Colony Aqua
tic Park, she helped Red Cross Instructors teach 139 classes. Her contribution gains her the title of TCAP Outstanding Volunteen of the Year.
“Of course, we think all of our Volunteens are amazing because they give our swim program a bridge between the adult instructors and students,” said Wanda Brown, program coordinator. “They also help the children stay in tune with the lesson and allow each instructor to put in extra time on the details.
“Samantha tops our list because she helped over 100 kids for many weeks this summer. Her selfless donation of time makes her a great example of a teen connected to the community."
Her parents, Ana and Brian Grant, attest to the fact that Samantha is a girl on a mission. Her second summer focus was tennis practice, hoping to make an impression during fall team try-outs. She recently scored big, claiming a spot on the The Colony High School Varsity Team as a freshman.
Her siblings, Angela, Denver, Sam, Christine and Orlando, are proud of her accomplishments and not surprised by her drive. The family works together to support each member’s goals and vigorous schedule.
In Middle School, Samantha excelled and was selected as a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She loves singing and is currently a lead (Soprano 2) with the Sweet Adeline’s in vocal competition.
Her future will probably be science related she admits that she has plenty of time to decide and many choices to explore.
Her next few years will prove challenging. Selected from a pool of 500 applicants for Collin County’s Collegiate Academy, she hopes to graduate from high school with both a TCHS diploma and an Associate’s degree.