YOUTH VOICE

Quinn Cannon
2026 Youth of the Year Nominee
Aquatics | Harper Clubhouse

I could feel the grooves in the pool tile under my feet, the lights slightly too bright as I walked out of the tunnel and stood restlessly behind the blocks. As I shed my parka and prepared for my race, I could feel the vibrations from the roar of the crowd, thousands of spectators filled the stadium to cheer on their countries. My muscles felt tense, my mind racing, the lyrics to Run This Town by Rianna running through my head. I stood with my team, looking into their eyes, trying to act calm like I’ve been there before. The moment I stepped up to the blocks, my mind went quiet. The water swallowed me when I dove in, the chlorine filled my nose, my goggles dug into my cheeks, lungs burning as the water churned around me. As I slammed my hand into the wall 200 meters later, I lifted my head to see my teammate launch off the blocks. I climbed out of the pool and turned to cheer her on in the anchor leg of our relay. With one hundred meters left, tied with Ukraine, Italy in our sights, Poland a split second behind us, all fighting for a podium finish. As we pulled ahead, securing our third place bronze medal, I jumped up and down cheering, my teammates signing to me that I had just won my first medal with Team USA at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics – a competition for elite Deaf athletes from around the world.

I realize none of this would have been possible had I not stepped on to the pool deck that hot summer day in June at the Boys and Girls Club eleven years ago. I can remember clinging to my mom as we entered the Club area, unsure of what was ahead. The pool was noisy, as most pools usually are, but I hardly noticed. My life has always been full of a quiet calm as I was born profoundly Deaf. My cochlear implants have given me the chance to hear, learn to speak, and excel within the hearing world. I was now going to wear them as I attended my first swim lesson at the Clubhouse. I remember the staff welcoming me inside as my mom slathered on sunscreen before my lesson. The water looked daunting as I approached in my rainbow swimsuit, half walking, half being nudged until my toes met the edge of the bottomless blue pit. Time seemed to stop when I plunged into the cold water and the bubbles tickled my skin. I’d never felt so alive before. After that day, something changed in me. From the summer swim lessons to the countless hours of swim practice, the pool quickly became my happy place. My refuge after long days of school and tiring lessons where I strained to hear my classmates. The Club has become a place where I feel safe, make friends, and challenge myself in ways I would have never expected.

My first instructor was Coach Bryan. He taught me the basics back when I was a clumsy four year old. Spending hours with me, he taught me all four strokes along with life lessons that I will never forget. Always be kind. Never give up. Work hard and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Quinny, you can do anything you set your mind to. Coach Bryan gave me lessons for four years until it was time to try out for the swim team. That tryout would launch the beginning of an incredible journey.

From coaches to peers to Club staff and community volunteers, the numerous people I have been surrounded by at the Boys and Girls Club have been instrumental in shaping who I am today. They’ve taught me life skills that I use every day and give me the space to discover the power to use my own voice. I’m building perseverance and a sense of teamwork with each long training session. The coaches encourage us to keep working hard and to lean on your teammates when you feel you have nothing left. I’ve learned to own my story and to advocate for what I need, whether that is asking teammates to relay coaches instructions through the noise or to informing meet officials of what I need to compete at my best, such as requesting a tapper to let me know when it’s time to dive off the blocks. Like the swimmers who once encouraged me to dream big, I am now the one cheering on the next generation – teaching them to be brave, push their limits, help them set goals and believe in themselves.

That first plunge, that first taste of chlorine, changed me for the better. I made friends, built connections and gained the knowledge to advocate for myself. The little Deaf girl from eleven years ago turned into a fourteen year old with a big dream and a club community backing her every step of the way. From life skills to self advocacy, my swim club is helping shape the person I’m meant to be. I want to utilize the skills I’ve developed as a Deaf athlete/student to inspire the youth of future generations. Thanks to my parents and one unforgettable day in my rainbow suit, I found a sanctuary, lifelong friendships, and a home forever within those gates of the Harper Boys and Girls Club.