Strong friendships have led Joshua Smith through four years of swimming for Armijo’s Varsity Swim Team. As a senior, this is Smith’s final season swimming for Armijo and he hopes to inspire new students to join the sport. “I enjoy swimming mostly for the environment created around the sport as I am friends with everyone on both the club level and high school level,” he said.

In addition to swimming for Armijo, Smith also hits the water with SASO, or the Solano Aquatic Sea Otters. As for his most memorable moment in swimming, Smith said, “Swimming for a club team outside of school is my favorite part as it is where is have met some of my closest friends, but I couldn’t choose one experience as my favorite.”

In the future, Smith aims to begin a career in the medical field. “I volunteer at Kaiser Permanente on weekends,” he said. At Armijo, Smith stays involved in community service events and outreach activities as a member and officer of Key Club. In his family, Smith’s brother, a sophomore at Armijo, also swims for the Armijo swimming team.

Not only has swimming allowed Smith to stay active, it has also helped to strengthen his interpersonal skills. “I have learned a great deal of time management and leadership skills through the sport,” he said. “I have also learned about all of the dedication I have put in the sport.”

Smith encourages his fellow Armijo students to joining the swimming team. “I would recommend someone to join the team no matter what skill level as it is a great team environment and a life-saving skill,” he said.