Q&A with JDHS senior swim and dive members
- Klas Stolpe
- Oct 19
- 6 min read
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé swim and dive seniors shared some thoughts on senior appreciation night Saturday at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center.
Valerie Peimann - swimmer
State competitor 2022 - 3rd 400 free relay, 4th 200 free relay; State 2023 -1st 400 medley relay, 1st 400 free relay, 3rd 200 free, 1st 500 free.
Q - When did you start swimming?
A - I started taking swim lessons when I was about four and I joined the club team when I was six.
Q - What does swimming mean to you?
A - Swimming means so much to me. Spending upwards of 20 hours a week training and pushing myself beyond my limits takes a huge toll, but the reward is so sweet. I feel so accomplished, and I’ve formed lifelong relationships with some of my teammates and coaches that will always be a part of me.
Q - Favorite swim cap (either slogan or design or meaning behind it)?
A - My favorite swim cap is my 2022 Alaska Swimming Zones team cap. It’s bright blue and has an AK logo.
Q - Favorite quote?
A - “Second place is first loser” - Coach Robby
Q - Favorite food?
A - Pasta!
Q - Favorite song/music?
A - Before races I love to listen to any songs by Rihanna or Tate McRae!
Q - Favorite movie?
A - Any of the "Star Wars" movies.
Q - Favorite book?
A - "The War That Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Q - Plans after high school (if college, what major)?
A - I plan to continue swimming at Pomona College. I haven’t picked a major yet, but I’m interested in science!
Q - Hobbies?
A - I love going out on the boat with my family and pulling shrimp pots with my big brother.
Q - What do you like about Juneau?
A - I love the community in Juneau and living on the ocean.
Deedee Mills - swim co-captain
State competitor 2022 - 6th 100 back; State 2023 - 8th 100 back, 3rd 200 back, 2nd 200 free relay; State 2024 - 200 medley relay 1st place, 5th 100 back, 2nd 400 free relay, 3rd 100 free, & 1st 200 medley relay.
Q - When did you start swimming?
A - I have been in swim lessons ever since I was a baby, but I joined a team when I was 5 and have been swimming ever since.
Q - What does swimming mean to you?
A - For me swimming has always been about the people, getting to grow up with them in the pool and getting to see each other improve it really Is one of the best feelings. It’s crazy to think I’ve been in the pool with Valerie since I was 5 and now we are celebrating our senior night!
Q - Favorite swim cap (either slogan or design or meaning behind it)?
A - My favorite cap is my 2022 zones cap: it’s bright blue and when I was 14 it was a big deal to be there, and it took some hard work.
Q - Favorite quote?
A - Teri McKeever: “Swimming teaches you that the only person you’re really racing is yourself.”
Q - Favorite food?
A - Any kind of pasta.
Q - Favorite song/music?
A - I’ve been listening to lots of older songs when I drive and right now “What More Can I Say” by the Notations has been on repeat.
Q - Favorite movie?
A - "Iron Man 2."
Q - Favorite book?
A - Any book about history, especially Mayan history.
Q - Plans after high school (if college, what major)?
A - I plan on going to the University of Hawaii Manoa for biology and I plan on being a physical therapist.
Q - What do you like about Juneau?
A - My favorite thing about Juneau is all of the views. I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful town.
Taylor Mesdag - diver
State competitor 2022 - 15th / State 2023 - 15th / Regions 2022 - 2nd / Regions 2023 - 1st. Broke TMHS 11-dive record with a score of 299.75 pts in 2023 (she beat Rosemary Kessling’s 2018 record). Works as a dive coach for CBJ Parks & Rec where she helps motivate & train Juneau’s future divers.
Q - When did you start swimming?
A - Age 7.
Q - What does swimming mean to you?
A - It feels like family.
Q - Favorite swim cap (either slogan or design or meaning behind it)?
A - Plucky Platypus from GSC.
Q - Favorite quote?
A - None.
Q - Favorite food?
A - Sushi.
Q - Favorite song/music?
A - Older music, rap and Indie.
Q - Favorite movie?
A - "The Martian."
Q - Favorite book?
A - "Project Hail Mary."
Q - Plans after high school (if college, what major)?
A - Pre-med. Haven’t decided which school yet.
Q - Hobbies?
A - Puzzles and skiing.
Q - What do you like about Juneau?
A - The winter for skiing.
Vincent Hayes - swimmer
Regions 2022 - 6th 200 medley relay, 9th 50 free, 9th 100 breast; Regions 2023 - 8th 100 breast, 4th 200 medley relay, 2nd 200 free relay; Regions 2024 - 6th 200 free, 5th 500 free.
Q - When did you start swimming?
A - 5th grade with GSC.
Q - What does swimming mean to you?
A - It means staying in shape.
Q - Favorite swim cap (either slogan or design or meaning behind it)?
A - TM swim cap, great team and logo.
Q - Favorite quote?
A - "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Q - Favorite food?
A - Chicken strips.
Q - Favorite song/music?
A - "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks.
Q - Favorite movie?
A - "Scream."
Q - Favorite book?
A - "Percy Jackson."
Q - Plans after high school (if college, what major)?
A - Go into the electrical trade.
Q - Hobbies?
A - Reading, building tree nets, exploring new places.
Q - What do you like about Juneau?
A - The beauty.
Clive Mateo - swim co-captain
State 2022 - 8th 200 free relay; Regions 2022 - 2nd 400 free relay, 1st 200 free relay; Regions 2023 - 2nd 200 free relay, 2nd 400 free relay; Regions 2024 - 8th 200 IM, 6th 100 breast, 3rd 400 free relay.
School: JDHS / IDEA Homeschool Program / Club: Glacier Swim Club
Favorite Strokes: Freestyle and breaststroke
Hobbies: Graphic drawing, playing soccer and video games.
Start: Clive started his swimming career at KKW- Ketchikan Killer Whale when he was 9 years old, as athletic and active as he is, he tried many sports like soccer, baseball, wrestling, basketball, and football, but somehow, he ends up going back to the first sport he enjoyed, swimming. Clive as an athlete is a fun-loving, kind, respectful and caring individual. He also serves as a lesson instructor for the Glacier Swim Club, helping to teach and develop younger swimmers in the community.
After high school: Clive will take and finish his AA degree at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), then he will pursue his desire to be a graphic design artist, his family and him are still looking and soon be exploring colleges that fit his needs, eyeing one school at Pensacola, Florida.
