Deep Dive: Meet ANA Synchro Alumni (#9)

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By: Kate Todisco

ANA Synchro is known for inspiring our swimmers and guiding them with creativity and passion to build successful leaders. In our continuing new series: Dive Deep: Meet ANA Alumni, we are pleased to  introduce you to some of our dynamic ANA Alumni.

Meet Missy Andrews

While a decade has passed since Missy Andrews last swam for ANA Synchro, the lessons she learned while on the team have made a significant impact on how she lives her life today. One of the most important skills she learned through synchro was the art of balancing a multifaceted and busy workload. Currently, as a certified reading specialist and an English teacher at Bishop Hendricken High School, an all-boys school in Warwick, RI, this skillset is a lifesaver for Missy. In addition to her full-time teaching duties, she leads an annual mission trip with her students to the Mexico–United States border to help educate immigrant and refugee families after their release from detention centers. Furthermore, Missy is preparing to graduate this May with a Master’s in Literacy Education from Providence College, and she has already jumped into developing a thesis to begin a PhD program in Shakespearean Literature.

Missy joined ANA Synchro in 2007, having previously swam with both the Westfield Y Aquaducks and Synchromaids of Central MA. She was happy to find a home with ANA. For Missy, the incomparable and inexplicable moments that she shared with her ANA teammates have influenced the positive way she develops relationships today. Ten years later, her former teammates are some of the most accomplished, talented, and beautiful women that she knows.

Missy continued her synchro career in college, swimming for the Canisius College synchro team. She proudly recalls placing 3rd, 4th, and 5th at Collegiate Nationals all four years that she swam on the team. It is with her strong synchro history (and no doubt her English degrees, too) that Missy encourages current swimmers to write down and record their feelings after each meet. The magical moment on the pool deck or podium doesn’t last forever, but if you capture those memories in a journal you will be able to cherish them forever. Her favorite piece of advice to pass on to other swimmers is to always remember to thank your coaches and parents. Your success is their success!  She encourages swimmers to hug their loved ones   every chance they get and to never stop being grateful.

 “Fast five”

 

Dream vacation spot?

I love England, Ireland, and Scotland, and would love to go back as soon as possible! 

Favorite summer activity (besides for swimming)?

Reading and traveling!  I’m heading to Peru this summer, so really looking forward to that.

Ocean or lake?

 Ocean

 Cat or Dog?

Dogs, 100%.

Favorite book?

This is an unfair question to ask an English teacher! One of my all-times that I recommend is Tuesdays With Morrie, but can’t go wrong with anything Shakespeare, Greek Literature, or The Great Gatsby.