Standout Students: Baton Rouge teens help boy overcome fear of swimming
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A 6-year-old boy has mastered the skills to earn his self-proclaimed title as king of the swimming pool.
A near-drowning experience left Anthony Jackson, who is known as AJ, terrified of water. His mother, Jelessia Alderman, said the incident happened at an annual summer event in the community at their apartment complex.
“He just wanted to stay where his feet got wet, didn’t want to touch the pool anymore,” said Alderman.
These days AJ is overcoming his fears of the deep end, even swimming without the comfort of a life jacket.
All thanks to brother and sister duo Sydney and Tucker Latour. They dedicated their summer to teaching AJ and his brother Jonathan how to be confident swimmers. And no, this was no summer job, just an act of kindness.
Alderman said, “Now you can’t get them out of the pool.”
Sydney said it’s been rewarding to see them get better.
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“It doesn’t take that much, just help out where you can,” said Tucker.
The two make it look easy, both being skilled swimmers since the age of 6, they also make quite the team focusing on the needs of their students.
“Well, with AJ and people who are little like him, you have to mix in playing and swimming,” said Sydney.
Their dedication to community service is paying off, the two said they’re seeing the fruits of their labor by watching the two improve in the last year.
“As far as Jonathon, he’s gone from someone who could swim to now, he’s gotten to a competitive level,” said Tucker.
Sydney and Tucker’s selfless act of kindness also earned them the “Servant Leaders of Today” award from the America My Oyster Association. Meanwhile, the two hope to have a lasting impression on AJ and Jonathan.
“I’m hoping they join some kind of real swim team, and they can just grow in their love of swimming,” said Sydney.
The two were honored with a medallion and a copy of Charlotte’s Web, courtesy of the Capital City Rotary Club in addition to a free professional development training session.
Click here to nominate a Standout Student like Sydney and Tucker Latour doing great things in the community or school.
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