Meet Lifeguard Dana Kwitnicki

Dana Kwitnicki enjoys helping people and making a difference. The 21-year-old is entering her sixth year as a lifeguard at the Summit Family Aquatic Center and aspires to become a Physician Assistant after graduating from college.

A native of Summit, Kwitnicki was a member of the Summit Sharks swim team before becoming a lifeguard for the community pool six years ago. Kwitnicki graduated from Summit High School in 2007, where she played varsity basketball and softball for the Hilltoppers. Following high school graduation, Kwitnicki studied in sunny Australia before putting down more permanent roots in the colder climate of Boston, Mass., at Northeastern University.

"I studied abroad in Melbourne, Australia my first semester freshman year in college at Northeastern," Kwitnicki said. "It was an awesome, once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget. My ideal job would be to lifeguard the beaches of Sydney, Australia, and learn to surf. That would be surreal."

Kwitnicki is entering her fourth year as a Health Science major at Northeastern. Her field of study is a five-year co-op program, which involves working paid jobs in your field for two six-month periods between semesters.

"For my first co-op at school, I worked as a Nursing Assistant for a post-op Ambulatory Surgery Unit at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary," Kwitnicki said. "It was another great opportunity that I've had since entering college. I was able to help patients recover after surgery and was even able to go down to the OR and observe an actual surgery. The experience reaffirmed my desire to work in the medical field, hopefully as a PA."

After graduation, Kwitnicki hopes to attend graduate school to become a Physician Assistant and possibly pursue a Masters in Public Heath.

Her lifeguard certification and experience has no doubt helped prepare her for a future career in healthcare. Kwitnicki received her first lifeguard certification seven years ago with Summit High School teacher Mr. Pease at Canoe Brook Country Club. She received both re-certifications at Drew University.

"I wanted to become a lifeguard because I liked the idea of having such great responsibility at such a young age," Kwitnicki said. "At times it can be a lot of pressure knowing that you, as a guard, are responsible for the lives of so many people. But it is also rewarding and nice to feel appreciated and respected by many different people, both older and younger. It is a great summer job that requires commitment, responsibility, and alertness."

Kwitnicki described her experience as a lifeguard at the SFAC for the past six summers.

"Your shift–whether it is early or late–determines certain duties at the pool," Kwitnicki said. "For example, if you are a guard in the morning, it is your responsibility to clean and sanitize the bathrooms. It is also the early guards' responsibility to sit on stand for morning aquatic classes as well as morning lap swim."

"I love being outdoors in the sun," Kwitnicki continued. "Being able to work outside and enjoy the summertime is very refreshing. I also enjoy watching children transform as the summer goes on. At first, many of them are timid to even go in the deep end, but by August, they are doing cannon balls off the diving board. It is amazing to watch the growth of children as swimmers; I find it very heartwarming."

Although lifeguarding at the SFAC requires a great deal of responsibility, Kwitnicki and her fellow guards know how to have fun and relieve stress.

"My most memorable moment (at the SFAC) was playing water polo with all of the other lifeguards in the rain when we closed the pool early," Kwitnicki said.

During her free time, Kwitnicki enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, exercising, enjoying the outdoors, shopping, exploring new places, baking, walking around Boston, and reading. Her favorite book is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. While she's not lifeguarding at the SFAC this summer, Kwitnicki plans to babysit and just enjoy her free time with family and friends, as well as hit up her favorite Summit eateries, Café Mavi and Taka Sushi.

Stay tuned to Patch this summer for more profiles of SFAC senior lifeguards.