Swim lessons, wedding on tap for assistant manager

RITZVILLE- Having completed her first year as a lifeguard, Kendra Hannahs will work this summer as an assistant to Water Park Manager Donna Kessler.

Hannahs hails from the Puyallup area.

Two years after graduating high school in 2020, she met her fiancé—a diesel mechanic at the Love’s Travel Stop—through a mutual friend.

The couple is planning a September wedding.

That’s why she switched from lifeguard to assistant manager.

“Honestly, I’m getting married in September and didn’t want the tan lines,” she said.

Teaching swim lessons will be one of Hannahs’ primary duties.

Lessons will be available from 5-7 p.m. daily July 10-21. She said students will be divided into two levels.

“Level I introduces kids to the water, getting them comfortable putting their faces underwater, blowing bubbles to introduce them to breathing,” she said. “In Level 2, we just want to make sure they can swim a little, maybe 15 feet or so.”

Hannahs said the pool has 12-13 lifeguards. Later this summer, it may sponsor “tween” and community nights.

Also on duty are office helper Katie Teachout, and Margaret Reidt, Elijay Jacinto and Allesandra Mendez, who handle concessions.

The pool is open from noon to 8 p.m. daily, with adult swim from 5-6 p.m.