2005 Graduating Seniors

Thanks for all the memories, we'll miss you!!!

	Christina Bladek began competitive swimming at the age of 7 with the Fairfield Y. She began swimming with the Water Rats the summer before her freshman year. Christina will be graduating from Lauralton Hall where she is on honor student and scholar athlete. She was captain of the team, a three year All-State selection, most valuable swimmer in the SWC and recipient of the Robin Lewis Award. Christina is also involved with volunteering at St. Vincent's Hospital, the Swim Across the Sound and is a member of the student counsil. Christina will attend Union in the fall and plans to swim and major in biology with the intent of continuing on in medicine.
	Jason Brown began swimming at the age of 7 with the Black Rock Yacht Club. Jason swam for the Water Rats for one year in 5th grade and then returned the summer after his sophomore year. He will graduate from Fairfield Prep where he was Co-Captain, and an all SCC and all State selection. Jason graduates Magna Cum Laude, and as a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. He volunteers in the Big Brothers program. Jason will attend Hamilton in the fall where he will swim and determine his major.
	Frisk Driscoll began swimming at the age of 7 with the Water Rats. Frisk graduates with many accomplishments including YNAT and Sectional finalist, 2004 Sr Open Champion (200 BK), five time Water Rat record holder, CT Swimming Record (11/12 200m BK), two time CT Scholar Athlete, USA Swimming Academic All American, three time Staples HS record holder, and a NISCA Academic All American. Frisk was also a youth member to the YMCA Board of Directors, a member of the National Honor Society, particiated in the Swim Across the Sound, helped organize a canned food drive at Staples HS Candlelight Concert, had a radio show on WWPY for 2 years, played in Pep Band for three years and volunteered to teach swim lessons at Longshore. Frisk will attend the University of Minnesota where he will swim and major in chemical engineering. Frisk was awarded the Bob Knoebel Scholarship for 2005.
	Clayton Goodgame started swimming at the age of 8 with the Merrimack Maniacs in Washington, D.C. He swam with the Water Rats for one year in sixth grade, then rejoined the team last summer. He qualified for YNATS this year. Clayton will graduate from Staples HS earning 1st or 2nd honors every year. For the past two years he has gone with his church to Kingston, Jamaica to build houses and shops for the people there. Clayton will attend Kenyon College in the fall where he will major in English and/or History. He has not decided if he will swim competitively.
	David Platow began swimming at the age of 8 with the Water Rats. He will graduate from Fairfield Prep where he was Cum Laude his freshman and junior years, Magna Cum Laude his sophomore year and is a member of the National Honor Society. He was also a two year CT Swimming Scholar Athlete, a YMCA Nationals Finalist, a YMCA All American, a high school All State, All SCC selection, as well as CT Post All Star. Dave was team captain and received the freshman coaches award. Dave was also a youth member of the YMCA Board of Directors, a volunteer at Operation Hope, did Peer Tutoring at Prep, participated in the Urban Plunge, and the Swim Across the Sound. Dave was awarded the Presidents Scholarship Award to the University of the Pacific where he will swim and study in the field of Sports Sciences/Management. Dave was awarded the Bob Knoebel Scholarship for 2005.
	Katie Siemon began swimming at the age of 7 with the Fairfield Y. She started with the Water Rats at age 11. Katie will graduate from Fairfield High School where she has been on the Headmaster's List of Honor Roll every marking period. Katie is a two year CT Swimming Scholar Athlete, was a member of the CT Zone Team, both an age group and senior finalist, and in 2002 was the woman champion at the annual Point-to-Point open water swim. Katie is a Junior Deacon at church, volunteered at the Y teaching swim lessons, was a member of the Interact Club and knits healing shawls for breast cancer. Katie will attend Loyola of Maryland in the fall where she will swim and is leaning towards a major in business.
	Laura Strittmatter began swimming at the age of 9 with the Water Rats. Laura will graduate from Hopkins where she was team captain and 500 FR record holder. She graduates as a CT Swimming Scholar Athlete, National Merit Finalist, Academic All-American, Babbitt Middle School Math Prize Winner, Harold Shelton Kirby Science Prize Winner, and was first in CT for levels 2 and 3 in the National Spanish Exam. Laura also was on the Math team, JETS team, Spanish Club, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, Maroon Key and a tutor and affiliate. Laura will attend Yale in the fall where she will swim and major in one of the sciences. Laura was awarded the Andrew Sawyer Memorial Award for 2005.

Best wishes! Don't forget to write so we can include your news and updates on our WRAT Alumni Page. We'll be looking for you to make an appearance for the Gator IM on Thanksgiving morning in the Stauffer Pool!---Bob, Bill and Ellen