Mackenzie Kester

Mackenzie has been involved in swimming since a very young age. She learned to swim through Infant Swimming Resource or ISR, then joined a club swim team. She swam competitively for 18 years until recently, after swimming for four years in college at Henderson State University. Mackenzie has been coaching and teaching lessons for nine years. Teaching swim lessons and spreading awareness of water safety is extremely important to her. Mackenzie hopes to continue teaching lessons and training other young adults to inspire young children in the water. Mackenzie started Swim Station LLC in 2023 after previously teaching swim lessons in Tucson, Arizona. She is excited for the company to expand by reaching new people. She graduated in May 2024 with her Bachelor’s in Health and Human Performance and a minor in Psychology. Mackenzie is pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas. She is Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and Water Safety Instructor-Trainer (WSIT) certified and is a USA Swim Coach. Mackenzie is currently teaching lessons at the Conway location. 

Arkadelphia Instructors

Emma Crowe

Emma is a pre–dental hygiene major at Henderson as well as the captain of the Henderson State swim team. She has always had a strong love for the water, and swimming has been an important part of her life for as long as she can remember. In 2023, she began teaching swim lessons, and since then she has discovered a deep passion for helping others build confidence in the water while learning essential swimming skills. She truly enjoy creating a positive, encouraging, and safe environment where swimmers of all ages can feel comfortable, have fun, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the water. Emma is Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified. 

Caytan Chivers

Caytan has been around water and the lake her whole life. She is a nanny and a proud aunt. She had years of experience working with children and is so excited to continue by teaching the importance of water safety. She is from Benton, AR and just finished her freshman year at HSU majoring in nursing. She is also involved with Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Caytan is so excited to teach lessons in Arkadelphia and work with kiddos in the community! She is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI).

Kambry Elgas

Kambry is going into her junior year at Arkadelphia High School. She has grown up swimming and is a member of the RedWave Aquatic Team. Kambry knows swimming like the back of her hand and had a wonderful season winning the 4A High School State Championships in the 50 freestyle. She is so excited to be a part of instructing the future of swimming. Kambry is a Water Safety Instructor (WSI). 

Elliana Merrill

Elli is a sophomore at Henderson State University on the NCAA swim team majoring in Elementary Education. She hopes to become a 1st grade teacher one day and loves working with kids. Swimming has always been a big part of her life and she enjoys helping kids build confidence and skills in the water. Outside of lessons, she enjoys babysitting, going to church, and spending time with friends and family. Elli is a Water Safety Instructor (WSI). Elli will be back in August!

Conway Instructors

Kendall Fillippino

Kendall is from Conway, AR and is so excited to give back to her community by teaching lessons! She will start nursing school in January at UACCM. She has been a lifeguard for four years and previously taught swim lessons. She has been teaching with us since we began in Conway. She loves to work with all kiddos to make sure they reach their goals of being safe in the water. Kendall is also a coach for the RedWave Aquatic Team and is a USA swim coach. She loves teaching swim lessons and is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI).

Quincy Carrillo

Quincy is originally from Tucson, AZ where she grew up swimming with Miss Mackenzie! She has been coaching since she was 15 and has been teaching lessons for 5 years. Quincy graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 2023 and graduated with her Master’s degree from Colorado State University in 2025. Quincy is so passionate about water safety and making sure children and adults are confident in the water. She is spending a few months in Arkansas to make a difference in the community and make sure kiddos are safe! She is a certified Water Safety Instructor (WSI).  

Oren Smith

Oren is a senior at UCA majoring in Nurtition Science with a double minor in chemistry and family & consumer sciences with an emphasis in child abuse prevention. Oren has been swimming since he was 4 years old, although he never took it up competitively. He is certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor in CPR/AED. He has taught lessons previously and is so excited to begin teaching in Conway. He cannot wait to work with children to ensure safety around the pool. Oren is also a certified Water Safety Instructor (WSI).

Marlena Tharnish

Marlena has a unique swimming background and is so excited to join us in teaching lessons at UCA. She learned to swim as an adult after finding an interest in triathalons after previously competing in marathons. Marlena loves to teach all people to swim from 6 months to adults. She understands how to work with kiddos, since she has 6 wonderful blessing of her own. She cannot wait to continue her love for teaching everyone how important it is to be safe in the water. She is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), as well as a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor (LGI).

Tori Johnston

Tori is originally from Maumelle but just graduated from the University of West Florida. She swam at the NCAA level and was an incredible swimmer. She grew up swimming for the Arkansas Dolphins and continues to have a passion for coaching and teaching lessons. We are so grateful to have Tori back in Arkansas spreading the importance of water safety and her love for swimming. Tori is also a coach for the RedWave Aquatic Team.  

Sam Campos

Sam is originally from Brazil where he swam, played water polo, and taught swim lessons. Sam graduated from UCA with a pre-med degree in May 2025. Sam is so excited to continue teaching lessons and making a difference in kiddo’s lives. He understands what children need in order to succeed in water safety. Sam is trilingual in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. He is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI).

Cora Tharnish

Cora grew up swimming on the swim team and working with kiddos on technique! Cora loves the sport of swimming and is very passionate about water safety. Cora is going into her second year at Central Baptist College and is so excited to start lessons with us! She brings a passion and excitement to the water that we are so excited to see. Cora is a certified Water Safety Instructor (WSI). 

Catie Brewer

Catie is from Conway and she is senior at UCA majoring in Journalism. Catie grew up around water and is excited to continue educating young swimmers. She understand the importance of water safety and loves working with children in the community. She is certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI).