Two Blue Hills Employees Awarded Meritorious Service Award by the Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association

Shannon and Christina Keith posing for a photo outside
Blue Hills employees, from left, Shannon Keith and Christina Keith were awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.

Superintendent-Director Jill Rossetti and Recreations Manager Tom Cahill are pleased to announce that Christina Keith and Shannon Keith have been awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (EMISCA). 

The award recognizes Christina and Shannon’s dedication to the sport of swimming and their contribution to the teams and programs that use the facility they oversee. 

Christina and Shannon began working at Blue Hills as junior counselors at day camps before completing lifeguarding training and water safety courses. Both are currently employed as pool attendants, lifeguards and swim instructors. 

They help oversee the daily operation of the Blue Hills' pool, opening and closing the facility. Both Christina and Shannon ensure the pool is ready for the Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Canton High School, Norwood High School, and Thayer Academy swim teams that use it during the winter season. They manage the pool’s daily schedule, provide breaks to lifeguards, set up for meets and practices, run timing systems, and keep meets moving efficiently.

They were nominated by Norwood High School Swim and Dive Head Coaches Kate Curtin and Jen Dwyer. Canton Swim Team Head Coach Cheryl Cavanaugh, Eastern Massachusetts Swim Officials Association (EMSOA) Official Bryan King, and EMSOA Official Anne Meiser also supported the nominee submission. 

“Shannon and Christina are both very valuable to Blue Hills, and I could not operate the pool without them,” Recreations Manager Cahill said. “I am thrilled to see them receiving recognition and appreciation from the EMISCA.” 

“I wish to congratulate Christina and Shannon on earning the Meritorious Service Award,” Superintendent Rossetti said. “I am grateful for all the hard work they put into overseeing the pool and helping the teams, officials, and lifeguards. They are very deserving of this recognition.”

The award will be presented at the EMISCA banquet on Saturday, April 28 at 12 p.m. at the Natick Elks Club.