Age: 27
Hometown: Fitchburg, MA
Currently Resides: Keene, NH
Today our spotlight shines on Morgan Allard-Croke. Morgan is the Aquatics Director at the Keene Family YMCA. It’s a perfect fit for someone who has had a passion for swimming for most of their life.
A testament to her lifelong passion for swimming, she shares, “I have been swimming competitively since I was five years old… Chlorinated water will just always live in me somewhere.” Her dedication to the sport has not only shaped her identity but also influenced her career path within the YMCA.
Reflecting on her journey, she recounts, “I started as a lifeguard at my hometown YMCA… and finished my second summer there and moved up to New Hampshire.”
Believing everything happens for a reason, Morgan credits her move north for both her professional and personal successes noting, “I think that it by far was the best decision… I have a great husband, I have a one-year-old daughter, I have a great job, I work with great people.”
Though swimming is her biggest passion, she also enjoys a myriad of outdoor activities. “My husband and I do a lot of hiking… we were doing a lot of rock painting for a while.”
With the birth of her daughter her extracurricular activities slowed a bit, but now that she’s a little more independent, she’s excited to get back to some of those things.
“We’ve been picking up on our hiking which is really fun because now we can bring her and she enjoys it.”
As the Aquatics Director she oversees a myriad of responsibilities, from managing daily operations to conducting lifeguarding courses. Morgan is a certified lifeguard instructor through the Red Cross.
“I think by far my favorite thing to do as an Aquatics Director is run the lifeguarding courses,” she remarks. “It is super gratifying to be able to get somebody into a position where they can save somebody.”
In her pursuit of excellence, she strives to make a difference in the lives of others, stating, “Me and Laurie [Whippie] are firm believers in setting everybody up for success… regardless of any physical or mental disabilities or struggles they may have.”
Looking to the future, she envisions new possibilities for the YMCA, including the introduction of a master’s swim program and she alluded to the acquisition of an AquaTrack – an inflatable obstacle course for the pool. “I think it’s going to be a hit and it’s going to put more value into family memberships for sure,” she predicts with enthusiasm.
Throughout her journey, she remains grounded in the values instilled by the YMCA, noting, “The Y is such a safe place for everybody… Everybody was just there and having a good time… Making connections with others in the community… It’s just so refreshing.” It’s this sense of community and inclusivity that continues to inspire her dedication to the organization.
As she reflects on her path, she acknowledges, “Everything happens for a reason.” From her childhood spent as a “Y kid” to her current role as a leader within the YMCA, every twist and turn has led her to where she is today.