2025 Artistic Swimming Convention Unites, Inspires, and Celebrates the Community
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by USA Artistic Swimming, Kennedy Shriver
The 2025 Artistic Swimming Convention, held in Omaha, Nebraska, brought together the artistic swimming community to advance education, strengthen the sport, and recognize outstanding members who make an impact.
This year’s convention featured an exceptional lineup of speakers, including nutrition expert Katie Hillard, USAAS Chief of Sport Lara Teixeira, Senior National Team athletes Jaime Czarkowski and Natalia Vega, events director Emily Burlison, and Paralympian Brent Rasmussen, who inspired attendees with his powerful story of perseverance through sport and adversity.
On September 5, the USAAS Foundation hosted a special evening with three-time Olympian and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist Anita Alvarez as keynote speaker. Alvarez reflected on the ways artistic swimming has shaped her life and shared how lessons from the sport carried over into her recent Basic Training Camp experience. The event raised $20,000 to support the growth of the sport and the development of USA’s national teams.
The convention also marked the re-election of the USAAS Board of Directors. Congratulations go to Anna Montgomery, re-elected as Treasurer, and Rebecca Phillips, returning as Vice President of Competitive Programs. USAAS also proudly welcomes new board members Becky (Jasontek) Tomsic and Amy Oliver.
The week concluded with the annual USAAS Awards Banquet, celebrating the achievements of individuals and organizations who exemplify dedication to artistic swimming:
- Lea Bean - Lillian MacKellar Award
- Candy Kaemerer - Hall of Fame Contributor
- Annabelle Orme Degraffe - Hall of Fame Athlete
- Youth Senior National Team Staff - Coach of the Year
- Jaclyn Zhuge - Athlete of the Year
- Soohee Shim - Developmental Coach of the Year
- Rocky Mountain Splash - Club Excellence
The 2026 Artistic Swimming Convention is set for Madison, Wisconsin, September 3–6, 2026. Building on the success of Omaha, the event will once again bring together coaches, athletes, officials, and supporters from across the country to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and continue shaping the future of artistic swimming in the United States.
I am honored and delighted to be elected to serve the USAAS community as the new VP of Membership Development, it is a privilege to be entrusted with this position.
