Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1283597
Family matters | New Board officers | Executive leadership | And more 24 WAC Magazine | wac.net Family matters New officers Professional leadership Club Life Family matters Meet some WAC families who can't wait to get back to the Club! Crystal Perkins; Linda and Von Perkins Miles, age 10, and Elle, age 7 How do you find a sense of peace and normalcy during a global pandemic? Member Crystal Perkins and her two children turned to running and riding their bikes around their Madrona neighborhood. As a full-time working mom, Crystal faced a common challenge during the statewide closure—incorporating homeschool into an already delicate work-life balance. "Each day we make sure to be thankful for what we have—employment, a safe home, a yard, and our health," Crystal says. What did they miss most about the WAC? "I missed my morning jogs followed by a quick steam before work," Crystal says. "e kids missed swim lessons and swim team." Crystal's parents, Linda and Von Perkins, live downtown and are also WAC members. ey're all looking forward to getting back to the WAC post-pandemic. Ten-year-old Miles and 7-year-old Elle both participate on the WAC swim team and also enjoy Watts Basketball lessons. "e WAC really feels like our second home," Crystal says. Jenn and Donald Van Dyke Diedric, age 2 Zander and Quintin, age 4 months For the Van Dyke family, Saturdays are synonymous with the WAC. Diedric started taking swim lessons at Helene Madison Pool when he was six months old. He'll soon have company. e family welcomed twins Zander and Quintin in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown. "Donald and I are navigating our new normal just like any other family," Jenn says. Along with sleepless nights, they had to adjust to the reality that family and friends would be meeting the twins via video calls. "What I've learned during this time is that you need to slow down and just take each day one day at a time," Jenn says. She and Donald joined the Club in 2017. "Being around such a positive environment of diverse individuals at the WAC and getting to meet amazing people is important to us," Jenn says. Donald oen bike commutes to the WAC before walking to work one block away. "Having access to a great locker room and secure bike storage makes it easy to maintain an active lifestyle, which can be difficult with kids," he says. E M I L I O H U E R TA S ( L ) ; C O U R T E S Y T H E V A N D Y K E FA M I LY ( R )