Swensson nominees: Amy Whitton (Aldergrove)

Award is given to a Langley student in recognition of their athletic, scholastic and community efforts

Aldergrove Grade 12 student Amy Whitton was one of eight nominees for the 2014 Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award.

Aldergrove Grade 12 student Amy Whitton was one of eight nominees for the 2014 Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award.

Chances are if you were to look for Amy Whitton, you would find her in a pool.

A Grade 12 student at Aldergrove Community Secondary, Whitton has been involved in synchronized swimming for seven years, doing team, duet, and solo routines.

This year she is on two teams and trains six days — a total of 27 hours — each week.

The work has paid off as Whitton is recognized as one of the top athletes in the province and last year her team was second at the Canadian Open.

She still manages to find the time to study, maintaining a high grade point average and honour roll status each year, and to contribute to her community.

A member of Aldergrove’s grad committee, she also tutors students at Betty Gilbert Elementary, has helped feed the homeless on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and run “Try It” programs to get others interested in synchronized swimming.

Langley Times