NEW YORK (PIX11) – From a graduation day of young people completing a summer youth employment program built around learning to swim.

Also, a celebration of honoring a community champion of music mogul who was killed. PIX11’s Monica Morales always goes back.

It was a moment for each graduate to shine. It is a class about lifesaving, but also life-changing. Pure joy and lots of emotion, with her stepmom and dad in the audience. It was a life-changing experience for 21-year-old Jesika Romain from the Red Hook Houses. She graduated from a six-week water training program, gaining significant improvement in both physical and mental strength.

The program is called the Rising Tide Effect Swim Corps. Jesika is among 96 students graduating from this special swim program.

Kate Krause, founder of

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