ABOUT JULIE

 I am proud to say that I am an Elkhart native. At 45, I've lived here all my life, except for the four years I spent at Indiana University in Bloomington, where I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education. I attended Eastwood Elementary School, Northside Middle School, and Central High School. Currently, I teach at Mary Beck Elementary School, where this coming school year will mark my 22nd year. I have taught first, second, and third grade, and now I am a certified interventionist working with kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Additionally, I serve as an assistant swim coach for the Elkhart High School boys’ and girls’ teams.

My family includes my mother, my late father, my younger sister and her husband, my niece and nephew, and my 14-year-old Pit Bull mix named Oliver. I am fortunate to have most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins living in the area as well. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working out, trying new adventures, traveling, watching movies and sports, and listening to music. I love being silly, but I also know when to be serious. I value relationships with people, have an adventurous spirit, and strive to be a positive influence in others' lives.

I've always loved being around water. Growing up, I spent as much time as possible in pools, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. At nine, I began swimming competitively for the Christiana Creek Country Club team in Elkhart. I swam for Christiana Creek for many years and developed an interest in diving in eighth grade. In the fall of 1990, I joined the Elkhart Central High School swim team, coached by Karen Leeth with Mark Vilmure as the diving coach. Initially a diver, I soon contributed to the team as a swimmer as well. I was fortunate to be part of the team during our 200th consecutive dual meet win, winning several sectional titles and earning the state runner-up title in 1991-1992, 1992-1993, and 1993-1994. I was honored to be a co-captain my senior year, which was one of our state runner-up years.

As I got older, I longed to return to coaching swimming. When Lesley Melvin reached out with an opportunity to be an assistant coach with Michelle for Elkhart United Aquatics, I jumped at the chance. Words can't describe how much I’ve enjoyed working with every child, helping them reach their potential in swimming, getting to know them, and encouraging them to give their best every day. I've learned so much from Coach Michelle and all the swimmers. I am blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to continuing my future with this team.