YMCA teens are diving into leadership — not just at their local Ys, but on the national stage. This year, four North Carolina swimmers are serving as athlete representatives on YMCA of the USA’s National Swimming Committees.
Aubrey Mitchell (YMCA of the Triangle) serves on the National Advisory Committee, Gabe DeVizia, also with the Triangle Y, serves on the National Championship Meet Committee, Cam Morris with the Triangle serves on the National Eligibility Committee, and Sadie Willis with the Outer Banks Family YMCA (YMCA of South Hampton Roads) serves on the National Officials Committee. These student-athletes bring youth voice into national decision-making spaces that help shape the future of YMCA Swimming.
Together, these leaders also form the YMCA Swimming Athlete Council, which meets monthly for leadership development, collaboration, and peer connection. Council meetings include committee updates, guest speakers, and even a dedicated mental health segment — reinforcing the YMCA’s commitment to developing the whole person, not just the athlete.
For many teens, the experience is transformative. “Serving as a YMCA athlete representative has greatly shaped who I am as a leader. I have learned an incredible amount about my leadership style, how to use that style to inspire others, and how to make positive change,” Mitchell said.
As part of her role, she led a community service project — organizing the creation of flower beds at her local Y as a beautification effort.
“The opportunity to do this project taught me a lot about leadership: how to organize a large project, ask for funding, delegate tasks, and work side by side with adults to complete a big goal.”
Athletes also take turns facilitating Council meetings — gaining real-world leadership experience in guiding discussions and encouraging peer voice.
“I’ve gained confidence speaking up, sharing ideas, and representing other athletes from North Carolina. This experience has taught me the importance of teamwork, communication, and stepping up to lead, lessons I’ll carry with me long after my swimming career,” said DeVizia.
Willis echoes these thoughts. “This has given me more confidence to speak to adults. I got to interview the CEO of my association, and I was nervous at first, but then I realized I could be real and it's just having a conversation with anyone. I think I'll take away that we are all different people and we all have different gifts to share, but we can come together and do really amazing things. And, I have something to offer to the process,” Willis said.
These NC teens and their peers on the national committees are powerful examples of what happens when we invest in youth voice — developing leaders who are already making an impact in their communities today
More than 1,200 swimmers will compete March 30-April 3 in the 2026 YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship in Greensboro. The Alliance will be there to cheer them on!