Joey Leiter, Katherine Leiter, and Alyssa Melamed don’t just live on Isle of Hope—they dive into it headfirst, quite literally. These three siblings have transformed their shared love of swimming into a defining part of their lives, building bonds with their community and each other along the way.

Joey, 14, is an 8th grader at Pinewood Christian Academy. Katherine, 10, is in 5th grade at Pinewood, and Alyssa, also 10, is a 4th grader at Savannah Country Day. All three train year-round with GCAT and swim for the Isle of Hope Sharks in the summer—where their journey began four years ago. What started as a tentative splash turned into a fierce commitment, complete with daily practices, weekend meets, and championship wins.

Their season has been full of standout moments: Joey qualified for the GA State Age-Group Meet; Alyssa racked up PBs across multiple strokes at the GA Southern Divisional; and Katherine made waves at the Peach State Championship. Still, the highlight might just be their coach-pushing-into-the-pool tradition—proof that victory and fun can go hand in hand.

Their coaches, Dan Willoughby and Bill Forrester, have been instrumental, blending tough training with laughter, nicknames, and early-morning donuts. The trio credits swimming with teaching them grit, focus, and teamwork—and they never forget the encouragement from their biggest fans: Mom and Dad.

As Joey prepares for high school at Benedictine, Katherine eyes middle school adventures, and Alyssa juggles violin and swimming, all three are setting the pace for what’s next. Their advice to others? Keep showing up, lean on your team, and when the water feels too cold—just dive in.