Whiz Kid: Future North Central College Swimmer Melanie Mara

Name: Melanie Mara 

School: Downers Grove South 

Year: Senior 

Accomplishment: Mara has signed with North Central College and will swim freestyle there starting this fall. 

Key to Awesomeness: 

Why swimming? Mara said the sport has helped her realize how to improve. 

"I wasn't very good when I started," she said. "I was on the team freshman year and didn't think I would return the next year. But I continued on, and it's one of my favorite things in high school." 

Mara said she was considering North Central, Illinois Wesleyan University and Hope College in Michigan. Why North Central? 

"When I compared it with the other schools, I thought I could get the best education there," she said "I want to be a teacher...The girls are really nice, and the team is still competitive." 

Her mother, Sarah Mara, said her daughter's personality allows her to succeed. 

"She's very happy about things," Mara said. "She goes in positive. She's a really good team player."