Senior Spotlight: Ana Hall

Ana's Favorite Memories:

Ana’s favorite swim memory is attending the Champaign meet and getting to cook out with the team.

Ana's College plan:

Ana plans on either entering the United States Naval Academy or going to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Fun facts about Ana:

• She wants to be a pilot for the Navy
• She plays varsity lacrosse
• She drives an hour each way to her high-school (in Wheaton)
• She loves Mexican food

For those of you who did not know, Ana applied for the Ryan Held Scholarship by writing an essay and she was chosen to receive a $500 scholarship. She read her essay aloud prior to finals on Saturday night of State. I have posted her essay below. I highly suggest reading it as she did a fantastic job and it is a good reminder of how much each of you can have an impact on each other, at any age.

"One of my YMCA Gold Medal Moments occurred during the Long Course State Championships in 2024 when due to a lack of available swimmers, three younger girls were placed on my relay team instead of my usual teammates. Initially, I was unsure how we would perform against the other teams, as they were all older than my teammates, but I quickly came to realize that this race was about more than just our time or how we placed – it was an opportunity to lead, inspire, and build team spirit. From the moment we gathered behind the blocks, I could see how excited they were. Though they were nervous, they were eager. They were filled with the same energy and anticipation I had felt when I was their age. While waiting for our race, I encouraged them, reassuring them that we were a team together, regardless of age. As we stepped up for our race, their enthusiasm became contagious, reminding me why I had fallen in love with competitive swimming in the first place. When the race began, each girl gave it their all. I anchored the relay, and when diving in I had a determination not just to finish strong, but to make them proud. I finished the race, and we had surpassed our own expectations by making podium. The younger girls were ecstatic, cheering and celebrating as if we had won the whole event. Their joy and pride reminded me of the pure excitement I had felt when I was younger – before time standards and the pressure of competition took over. This moment changed my perspective on my role as an older swimmer on my team. I realized how much my attitude, encouragement, and leadership could impact the younger athletes. Seeing their excitement reignited my own passion for the sport and motivated me to be a stronger role model. Since that meet, I have made it a priority to support and uplift my younger teammates, knowing that my encouragement can shape their experience just as older swimmers once shaped mine. This experience embodied the YMCA’s mission by reinforcing the importance of a strong spirit, mind, and body – not just for myself, but for those around me. It reminded me that success is not just about individual performance but about lifting others up and sharing the joy of swimming. That relay was more than just a race; it was a defining moment in my journey as an athlete, a teammate, and a leader."