The student-athletes have already raised more than $5,000 for cancer reseach
When the Skyline High School Swim & Dive team takes to the water this Sunday, they won’t just be swimming laps—they’ll be swimming for lives. The Eagles are making history as participants in Michigan’s inaugural Swim Across America pool swim, and they’ve already raised more than $5,000 for cancer research.
The team’s fundraising success reflects a deeper understanding of their potential impact beyond competition.
“Swim Across America could not happen with just one individual,” says Julianna Peoples, a junior and third-year member of the Girls Swim and Dive team. “Through the collaboration of Skyline Swim and Dive, along with our friends and family, our team fundraising goal was easily reached!”
For Julianna, the cause hits close to home. Through her participation in the Health and Medicine magnet program and her personal connection to cancer survivors such as her Uncle Chad, she has gained valuable insight into the realities of cancer treatment.
“This experience reminds us that the support of our team can go beyond the pool—and can save the lives of millions of people,” she says.
Building understanding through action
About 30 members of the girls’ and boys’ swim and dive teams will participate in the event on Sunday in relays and various aquatic challenges at the University of Michigan’s Canham Natatorium. Although the boys’ team is not in session until winter, freshman Reed McCammon stepped up to become a fundraiser.
“When Mojo reached out to the team and wanted Skyline to try to help make a difference in cancer research,” he says, “I was more than happy to contribute and thrilled to see the team come out and raise money for a good cause.”
Head Coach Maureen “Mo-Jo” Murrett has watched her swimmers transform their perspective on community impact throughout this experience.
“At first our swimmers didn’t understand the impact they could have as a group,” Murrett says. “They have learned that when everyone works together, we can make a difference.”
The fundraising approach was refreshingly straightforward.
“We have simply asked friends and family for support, and people have responded,” Murrett says.
She encouraged her team by emphasizing that “people really do want to support this cause and we just have to give them the opportunity.”
What began as doing “the right thing” has evolved into something much more meaningful for Murrett personally.
“I have gone from wanting to do this because it was the right thing to do to now I am really excited about launching what could be a special event for a lot of people,” she says.
Murrett’s commitment to the cause stems from profound personal losses that have shaped her understanding of cancer’s devastating reach. She is swimming in honor of her mother, who died of breast cancer at age 58, her sister, who died of multiple cancers at age 64, and her friend Maureen Belden, who died of ovarian cancer at age 52. Belden was the mother of four AAPS graduates: Hugh (Community ’09), Henry (Pioneer ’10), Eileen (Skyline ’13), and Jack (Community ’17).
“Everyone on this planet has been affected by cancer,” Murrett acknowledges, recognizing the universal nature of this disease’s impact.
The coach sees the Swim Across America event as a teaching moment about civic responsibility and community engagement, noting: “I want them to understand that this world, their community, is so much bigger than they are. I want them to know that they can make a difference. I hope that they learn that working for the common good should be a lifelong pursuit. My mother taught me that!”
This charitable initiative represents a natural extension of the team’s established values. “As a team, we have always had a culture of giving back,” Murrett says. “We know we are very fortunate as a program with a lot of resources. This is just the next step.”
Those interested in donating to the cause can do so by clicking here.
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