Swim Cadets Ready to "Set Sail" for 87th Annual Show

This year's Swim Cadets are ready to set sail!

The 20-member synchronized swimming team will perform their 2026 show from Thursday, March 5 though Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. The school's oldest student-led extracurricular club celebrates its 87th anniversary with the theme, "Set Sail." The show takes place at the Heights High School natatorium, 13263 Cedar Road, the entrance is on the west side of the building.

Tickets are $12 and available for purchase from Swim Cadet members in advance or at the door. The show will also be live-streamed during the Friday performance on the District's YouTube channel.

Synchronized swimming high school teams are a rarity and Heights has one of only a few in the state. The Heights High Swim Cadets have traditions that span decades, bonding girls to generations before them; it is not uncommon for members to be second or even third generation Swim Cadets.

"What makes our program special is that it's completely student-run," said Sophia Marotta, the Swim Cadets' coach, "they fund, organize, and produce the entire show themselves."

The team's officers write and choreograph the routines months in advance and the team members shoulder the responsibility of memorizing each routine, all while managing  their regular school workload and obligations. They have been practicing five days a week, two hours a day, since October and they are excited to share the result of their hard work with the community.

This year's officers are President Celia Pentecost, Vice President Emily Barr, Treasurer Ella Bain, Secretary Celia Lyford, and Sergeant-at-Arms Tasha Bell.

Sophia Marotta is a former Swim Cadet (2019-2022) and Heights High graduate and this is her first year as the team's coach. "Preparation for this year's show has been a true team effort," Ms. Marotta shared. "I've seen firsthand the dedication, discipline, and teamwork that goes into making this tradition possible."