For a youngster, swimming can sometimes by a difficult activity. The fear of the water is something that is not uncommon among kids. However, there are those who seem to be a natural fit for the water and those who may have a fear, but overcome it with patience and dedication.

Last week, the staff of the Mineola Swimming Pool as well as Mayor John P. Colbert and Village Trustee Elizabeth Conlon honored the members of the 2001 Mineola Stingrays, the community's swim team with an awards ceremony at village hall.

Pool director Dan Kopetic commented on the improvement showed by the swimmers, the sportsmanship and dedication in making the team a success. The coaches of the team noted the improvement made by the swimmers.

Awards were presented to all of the team members for their participation and special awards were given for "Most Valuable," "Most Improved" and "Most Dedicated."

The staff was thanked for their leadership. Mayor Colbert was presented with an honorary team shirt and Trustee Conlon was recognized and thanked for assisting in obtaining trophies and medals for the kids.

As the summer pool season comes to an end, the members of the 2001 Mineola Stingrays can look back on their time in the pool fondly as they take with them the lessons of hard work, sportsmanship and dedication.

Most Valuable Swimmers (8 and under)

Ashley Tomei and Nicky Franzini

Most Valuable Swimmers (9 and over)

Alyssa Palma and Kyle Seibt

Most Dedicated Swimmers (8 and under)

Erin Carr-Fragiacomo, Nicky Palma

Most Dedicated Swimmers (9 and over)

Dennis Watras and Tatiane DeCaldes

Most Improved Swimmers (8 and under)

Anthony Franzini and Christine Barry

Most Improved Swimmers (9 and over)

Bryan Rezende and Nicole Sparacino

Members of the 2001 Mineola Stingrays

Aine O'Rourke

Anna Maria Palumbo

Christine Barry

Erin Carr-Fragiacomo

Francesca Caccavale

Gabriella Maher

Heather Gessner

Jackie Stagnari

Jen Leonardi

Jessica Monaco

Katie DeMarzo

Katie Dul

Katie Senk

Katie Stagnari

Kayla Vesely

Kimmy Donato

Maureen Purcell

Megan Murphy

Natalie Leitman

Nicole Forte

Patricia Holliday

Rachel Montanez

Samantha Vasquez

Sarah Pritchard

Brittney Abreu

Olivia Rodriguez

Emma Senk

Samantha Volpato

Kristi Devine

Angelica Leto

Ashley Tomei

Antonio Leto

Anthony Franzini

Blaze Kelly

Danny Stagnari

Kory Seibt

Nicky Franzini

Nicky Palma

Olivier Kachtiane

Richie Forte

Lauren Granath

Ryann Pitcavage

Nicole Garcia

Erin Gaughran

Ashley Tomei

Kristen Flynn

Gabriella Dziorny

Stephanie Cutrona

Melanie Volpato

Stepanie Vasquez

Kristin Cole

Alyssa Palma

Tatiane DeCaldes

Jamie Monaco

Stephanie Ribeiro

Kate Smith

Nicole Sparacino

Julie Frey

Stephanie Monroe

Kristine Sushko

Regina Sushko

Stephanie Palumbo

Lauren Callahan

Nicole Pitcavage

Maggie O'Shea

Meghan Padovano

Kathleen Flynn

Emily Lahey

Victoria Carbone

Michelle Marasca

Suzanne McCarthy

Christine Tapias

Kathleen Reedy

Caroline Frey

Lauren Sharkey

Joelle Mery

Rayassa Calazans

Michelle Nunziatta

Bryan Vesely

James Heinrich

Timothy Goncalves

Brendan O'Halloran

Joe Purcell

Brian Murphy

Kyle Seibt

John Hinchcliffe

Bryan Rezende

Jon Leonardi

Andrew Cunha

Sean Stagnari

Kris Seibt

Owen Reill

Mick Oswald

Michael Padovano

Frank Mortillo

Steven Goncalves

Ethan O'Bailey

Gabriel Couto

Quinn DeSousa

T.J. Gessner

Jimmy Murtha

Charles O'Bailey

Matt Bellezza

Tom Oswald

Nelson Fernandes

Mike Donato

Chris Doyle

Sal Heinrich

Dennis Watras

Lauren Kachtiane

Matt Doyle

Leonard Dul

Joel Pereira

Carl Nunziatta