Tanque Verde High School's swim team (pictured here) recently received a donation from an SMC sponsor, Derigan Silver. While on the surface, it may seem like a simple contribution to one of our many clubs and teams, Derigan's support of the school's swim club was anything but arbitrary. It was personal.

"I swam competitively from the time I was five all the way through college," Derigan says. By his senior year of high school, he was selected as swim team captain. 

"When I was in graduate school I coached at the collegiate level as well. Now, three of my kids swim. I know what it can give to you. But I also know it is a very expensive sport and my kids are privileged to partake in it. So when I see kids who need swim gear, I feel like I almost have to give."

Derigan knows first-hand all of the skills and valuable lessons sports and clubs teach students; hard work, dedication, sacrifice and teamwork all play a role. Though he says the most valuable takeaway from participating in swim was... learning how to fail. 

"I was a successful swimmer, but I failed many times. Swimming teaches you to be resilient and to come back from failure. It teaches you how to set a goal, but more importantly it teaches you how to refocus yourself when you don't reach that goal the first time."

We love to hear from our donors. If you have a special connection to a club or team, please let us know! You could be featured on our next #DonorHighlight. Just email us at vmendoza@supportmyclub.org.