Dragons Learn Lifesaving Lessons with Swim4Elise

Walnut Grove Dragons heard an important summer safety lesson this week. Not involving heatstroke, bikes or traffic - but water.

With summer vacation on the horizon, cooling off is top of mind for many Southlake families. Lakes, pools and exotic seashores are common destinations. However, parents and students need to know that drowning remains a common hazard. In Texas alone, 90 children aged 17 and younger drowned in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services.

None consider this statistic more important than Lori Cerami. In June 2016, Lori and her husband David lost their 13-year-old daughter Elise to a fatal drowning while warming up before swim practice. Lori felt compelled to do something about it and founded @swim4elise, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the awareness of water safety. The 501C3 organization offers community outreach, education and swimming scholarships.

Cerami presented her water safety overview class to our elementary Dragons throughout May a.k.a. Water Safety Month, and we are thankful for her time and dedication. Swim4Elise also hosted their annual 5k and Fun Run on May 10 to raise much-needed funds to further support their mission.