Emma Rodgers is one of the few seniors who presented her thesis before Labor Day weekend; that alone is an amazing feat. Not only  did she present early, but her thesis is also one that is important to the Charleston community. Emma’s thesis was giving minorities the chance to have free swim lessons in Charleston. In her ROL (Review of Literature)–which took her 4 MONTHS to complete–Emma discussed the likelihood of drownings in the minority communities. Her largest obstacle was getting the kids into the pool and trying to draw a conclusion from her study. She said that the study was complex, and the teaching aspect of her study did not draw a “yes or no” answer from her research. Getting the kids in the water was difficult because they were not comfortable at first. However,  to prevent any drownings there were three lifeguards in the pool and one who was out of the water. Her mentor, Stephen Fernandez, is the aquatic manager at the county park. Emma said her biggest limitation was that parents often do not stress teaching their children how to swim. She said that in the minority community, parents attempt to keep their kids away from the water; however, we ARE in Charleston.

Water is everywhere; that’s why Charleston has a higher drowning rate among minorities. But Emma wanted to bring awareness to swimming lessons in the minority community. She says that it is not because of a lack of available swim lessons; it is more of a lack of parent support for lessons. With the aid of Mr. Corson, her adviser, her thesis (which was her only idea) went on without a hitch.

For the juniors who haven’t started yet, she advises you to do something you love, because if you don’t, then thesis will be a drag for you.  Emma says   “you do you.” And according to Emma, for all you naysayers, you CAN love your thesis. Emma scored a 100 on her thesis, so it is possible!!!