Junior Caroline Kelly is stepping into a new leadership role as captain of the varsity swim team. With almost seven years of swim experience and a strong connection to her teammates, Kelly says she hopes to guide the team through what she hopes will be a transformative season.

”I’m really excited to see how the team looks this year. I think we have a promising season coming up,” Kelly said.

Since she was 10, Kelly has been swimming competitively. She began swimming with the Milford Stingrays. The early experience cemented her love for the sport, but the team dynamic is what she loves.

“I really like swimming because it’s co-ed, and in a lot of other sports it’s just girls or guys. You also get to meet a lot of people, and I just love the water,” Kelly said.

“It helps me clear my mind after a long day.”

As a returning varsity swimmer, Kelly’s leadership centers around unity and connection, something she believed the team lacked last season.

“I think last year wasn’t united,” she said.

Kelly believes she was elected junior captain because of the relationships she has built with teammates.

“Also, I think I have a lot of spirit, and I have a lot of dedication.”

This year, she’s determined to build a tight-knit team with more commitment and school spirit.

“Last year, we had some issues with showing up and giving it our all. I’m really hoping that this year, we’re all gonna be a little bit more tighter-knit,” Kelly said.

Kelly also hopes for more widespread recognition and support from the school.

“I’m gonna add a lot more social media and public outreach, because in the past, we haven’t had a big crowd. I’m also hoping for a little bit more student section, and just popularity amongst the school.”

But Kelly is not just focused on the pool. Outside of swim, she is vice president of the local Best Buddies chapter, an international organization that promotes inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For her, it is more than a title; it is a passion rooted in her childhood.

“My dad is the director of programs for people with disabilities in Newton,” Kelly said.

She said she has been attending events with her dad since she was four years old.

“Lucky enough, I’m now a counselor there, and I’ve been there for 12 years now, which is crazy. But it’s really changed my perspective on society and people.”

“It’s just really opened me up to be a better person. It’s so cool. You gotta make connections with kids that you wouldn’t necessarily think to make connections with,” Kelly said.

For Kelly, the important part of Best Buddies is making everyone feel like they have a place, and a disability does not make someone very different from anybody else.

Between the swim team and Best Buddies, Kelly stays busy in and out of school.

“Junior year is hard. I’m trying to prioritize myself, my mental health, and still keep up with school,” Kelly said.