Our Beginning

Nashville Dolphins started in 2003 when our founder, Beth Scruggs, agreed to help a swimmer with Down Syndrome improve her swimming skills in order to compete in the Special Olympics. Today more than 330 swimmers participate in the aquatics programming we provide, ranging from beginners just learning to blow bubbles to long-distance champions practicing several days a week. Because swimming is a lifelong sport with far-reaching benefits for an individual’s health and well being, we serve swimmers of all ages with no age-out policy. And because of the intensity of our mission to bring the physical and emotional benefits of swimming to people with special needs regardless of age, ability or financial circumstances, we provide all programming at no cost to the participant.

Our Mission

It is the Nashville Dolphins' mission to improve the health and quality of life for children and adults with special needs and combat the alarmingly high statistic of drowning deaths. The Nashville Dolphins provide adaptive aquatic lessons ranging from water safety and survival through competitive swim team programming for participants at no cost. In addition, we empower our swimmers to experience the joy and pride of being a lifetime member of the Nashville Dolphins family. Our programs aim to enhance the quality, health, and safety of the daily lives of both our participants and their family members, within a safe and socially supportive community environment.

Our Future

Because of the success of our programs, the passion of our volunteers, and the incredible determination of our participants, we have grown steadily throughout the years. With no swimmers aging out and new swimmers joining all the time, our numbers continue to increase, as do our offerings. From one-on-one lessons for children entering the water for the first time to overnight trips for our national competitors, we continue to devise new ways to meet the diverse needs of our participants and their families. Swimming is a lifelong sport, and we plan to be there every stroke, kick, and smile of the way.

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Leadership

Beth Scruggs

Co-Founder

Beth is a native Nashvillian and an avid swimmer. Beth served as the Aquatics Director for Special Olympics Tennessee for 20 years and even traveled to Shanghai, China as US Coach for Special Olympics World Games. Seeing a need in Nashville for more swim programs for children and adults with special needs, she created the Nashville Dolphins in 2003. She graduated from Harpeth Hall and the University of Mississippi where she met her husband Cooley. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Dotty Sutter

CO-FOUNDER and CFO

Dotty received her degree in accounting from the University of Vermont Business school. In 2010 she joined the Nashville Dolphins as a volunteer to assist with development. Dotty has since been instrumental in developing our administration and operations. She was the original Chairman of the Board and served as chairman from 2013-2015. Dotty and her husband Trey, along with their three children, have been active supporters and volunteers for the Dolphins since 2005.

Brenda Vroon

Executive Director

Brenda swam competitively growing up in Marietta, Georgia and has been teaching and coaching since she was a teenager. Brenda earned her degree in Health and P.E. from Auburn University. She is a former P.E. teacher at Scales and Lipscomb elementary schools in Brentwood. She has also worked as the head swim coach for Brentwood Middle and High School and the Wildwood Gators. Brenda holds a coaching certification from Special Olympics Tennessee, teaching certifications from Swim Angelfish Adapted Aquatics-levels 1,2,3, Starfish Aquatic Institute-Adapted Aquatics Credential, Adult Learn to Swim Certification USMS and United States Swim Association. She is an Autism Swim approved Instructor and an Instructor Trainer through the Starfish Aquatic Institute. Brenda was a Nashville Dolphins volunteer and a Lead Instructor for years before joining the organization full-time. She is married and has three boys.

Pam Walston

Program director

Pam is returning to the world of aquatics after many years of classroom teaching and serving in non-profit organizations. Pam attended Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin, majoring in Education and Special Education. She received her Montessori Teaching Certification from NCME in Atlanta. Pam has coaching certifications from US Masters Swimming, the World Open Water Swim Association, and TN Special Olympics. She has teaching certifications through the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation-ALTS, Swim Angelfish Adapted Aquatics-levels 1,2,3 and Pediatric Aquatic Therapy, Starfish Aquatics Institute-Adapted Aquatics credential and the US Swim School Association. Pam is an Autism Swim certified Instructor and an Instructor Trainer through the Starfish Aquatic Institute. Pam fell in love with the Dolphins as a volunteer. She is married, has three grown children and four grandchildren.

Tara Patil

Director of Operations

Tara grew up and went to school in Wisconsin and has a B.S. degree in Human Biology and an M.S. degree in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation. Tara has spent ten years volunteering for nonprofits and serving as president, treasurer, and doing fundraising and communications on the PTO boards of her children’s schools. She also served on the WCS PTO Leadership Council. Tara is married with two children, and got involved with the Dolphins when she and her children signed up to volunteer.

Jill Graffagnino

marketing director/grant writer

Originally from Long Island, New York, Jill moved to Nashville in 2016 as a freshman to attend Belmont University. Upon graduating with a degree in Marketing and falling in love with the city, Jill knew Nashville was meant to be her new home. She first got involved with the Dolphins after attending and volunteering at the first Drive For Dolphins event. From that day she knew she wanted to get further involved with the Dolphins and their mission.

Lead Instructors

brooke ellis

Brooke, the co-chair of the Special Olympics TN’s Young Professional board, has been with the Nashville Dolphins since 2019. She is certified in Swim Angelfish, Starfish Adapted Aquatics, is a certified lifeguard and is currently learning American Sign Language. Brooke enjoys helping our swimmers overcome fear and master new skills, knowing that this confidence will help the swimmers to believe in themselves in the pool and outside of the pool. Brooke enjoys, swimming, biking, running, hiking and all things outdoors!

tamara berthel

Tamara has been a Lead Instructor with the Nashville Dolphins since 2018. She has also served as the head coach of the Langford Farms Hurricanes. She is a retired Ironman Triathlete who spends her free time supporting her teenage daughter's extracurricular activities in musical theater, cheerleading, and various sports. Tamara focusses on creating an environment where swimmers can be safe and successful. She holds Swim Angelfish/Adaptive Swim Whisperers Level 2 certification and looks forward to meeting the swimmers in the pool each week.

Ava-wren Holliday

Ava-Wren is a nursing student at Lipscomb University who loves to decorate cookies and play ultimate frisbee. Ava-Wren got started in Aquatics as a Nashville Dolphins volunteer and has since trained with Nashville Swim Academy. She teaches private swim lessons and is certified as a Special Olympic Swim Coach. Ava-Wren is also certified in first aid, CPR and through the Starfish Aquatic Institute. Ava-Wren takes great pleasure in sharing her love of swimming with special needs students and is inspired by how they live their lives with such courage and joy despite having to overcome their unique challenges.

Alexis McCauley

Alexis is an ASHA certified Speech-language pathologist who has a B.S. in speech communication disorders with a minor in sign language. Alexis is Swim Angelfish certified and has been teaching swimming lessons since she was 14. She believes that everyone should have access to swimming and water safety lessons. Alexis enjoys participating in Triathlons, has completed four half-marathons and has been a competitive swimmer since the age of six.

Jenny sanders

Jenny is a speech, language pathologist, with years of experience teaching swim lessons and coaching. She holds a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education, and an MS in Speech Pathology. Her Aquatic certifications include Swim Angelfish Level 2, Lifeguard/ CPR/AED certification. and Adapted Aquatics from Starfish Aquatic Institute. Jenny loves thrifting, crafts and reading and participates in numerous Disability Ministries. Jenny enjoys seeing the excitement on our swimmers faces as they accomplish something they never thought was possible for them!

emily mabry

Emily was a competitive swimmer for 15 years in high school and college. She has been teaching swim lessons and coaching since she was 12 years old and is a mom to three amazing swimmers. She is Swim Angelfish Level 1 certified and has a B.S. in Chemistry. She sees each of our participants as a puzzle and enjoys finding what they already do well and using it to create swimmers! Emily enjoys Playing Mahjong with friends and taking long walks with her Golden Retriever, Bodie.

Caitlin Barnickel

Caitlin loves to watch our swimmers as they get to experience an increased sense of confidence, freedom, and empowerment while learning to swim. Caitlin is a former competitive swimmer who is CPR and First Aid Certified, Swim Angelfish/Adaptive Swim Whisperers Level 2 certified. She is also a Special Olympics Class A volunteer. She has experience as a swim coach, swim instructor and lifeguard. Caitlin holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and a B.S. in Kinesiology. When not in the pool, she enjoys hanging out outdoors, traveling, swimming, cooking and attending concerts.

virginia conners

Virginia is a fourth generation Nashvillian who started working with the Dolphins in high school. She is a preschool teacher and nanny who majored in communication studies at UT Knoxville. She is certified in Swim Angelfish and has been a constant at our University School of Nashville location.

Hailey Fernandez

Hailey is a busy high school student. In addition to teaching swimming with the Dolphins, she teaches in several facilities in Nashville. Hailey is level one certified through Swim Angelfish. She loves to share her love of swimming with others and see first-hand how her students experience the joy of swimming. Hailey enjoys reading, watching movies and hanging out with her family and friends.

Kailia Utley

Kailia is a Vanderbilt Student-Athlete. She is studying Medicine, Health and Society as well as Classical Mediterranean studies with a minor in Special Education. Kailia is a member of the Vanderbilt Women’s Swim Team and she competed at the NCAA Championship meet this past season. She is from Huntington Beach, California and grew up serving the special needs community. She has been a volunteer with the Nashville Dolphins for 3 years and is incredibly excited to be working with our swimmers! She is Swim Angelfish Certified.

Claudia grove

Claudia Grove recently graduated from UT Knoxville in kinesiology and is currently pursuing a master's degree in occupational therapy. You may recognize her from the fame she gained at age five as a feature on Reading Rainbow! Claudia coached at Brentwood Swim and Tennis Club for four years and enjoys sharing her love of swimming. She enjoys going on walks, spending time outside, painting, working on art projects, and being active. Claudia believes that everyone deserves to learn crucial aquatic skills and water safety. She is certified with the Starfish Aquatic Institute.

Ashley Morgner

Ashley has experience as a summer camp swim instructor, beachfront lifeguard, and a volunteer for an adapted sports program. She is a student majoring in special education at Vanderbilt. Ashley’s love of sports lead her to her involvement in adapted aquatics. She believes that everyone, regardless of their abilities, deserves access to the enriching experience of being in the water. She loves to share her passion for water with others helping them build confidence, and experience the freedom and joy that swimming gives.

Assistant Swim Coaches

jg Burnett

Coach JG swam on summer league teams from the time he was three at Seven Hills until he was 18 in Jackson, MS swimming for River Hills and his high school team, St. Andrew’s. Coach JG started as an assistant coach for his summer league team when he was 15 and by the time he was 17 became the head coach of a team with 150+ swimmers for the next three summers. These days, Coach JG not only helps coach the Nashville Dolphins, but also coaches the TAG 2 Group for Ensworth Aquatics (EAQ). Besides coaching, Coach JG loves to cook for friends and family, play pickleball, compete in triathlons, and relax with a good TV show or movie.

Rachel smuts

Rachel Smuts grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA and has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education/Special Education and a Masters of Education in School Counseling. Growing up, Rachel could always be found at the pool - at swim practice, swimming laps, or hanging out with friends. Rachel’s love of the pool quickly turned into a job at her local swim club where she taught swim lessons and was an assistant manager for 5 years. Ready for a change of scenery, Rachel accepted a job in Nashville and moved last summer. Now, she is a Special Education teacher at Waverly Belmont Elementary School where she supports 3rd-5th grade students. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Board of Directors

Executive Board

Wes Williams, President, DentaQuest
Allie Schoen, Secretary, LHH Tyler Michael, Treasurer, Deloitte Amy Adams, Community Volunteer
Brian Adams, Excelsior Capital Wynne Barton, OneOncology Melissa Beasley, Community Volunteer Taylor Chenery, Bass, Berry and Sims Treanor Granbery, Southeast Venture LLC Warren Johnson, Alston Construction Tim Jones, Tennessee State University
Mary Moore, Sarah Cannon Oncology Research Institute Julia Morris, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Skipper Phipps, Phipps Construction
Robert Ramsey, RW Baird Financial
Beth Scruggs, Co-Founder, Nashville Dolphins Lisa Spellman, Community Volunteer Dotty Sutter, Co-Founder, CFO, Nashville Dolphins
Meg Turner, Community Volunteer

Associate Board

Amber Moore, Chair, Parallon Caitlin Barnickel, Occupational Therapist Murray Dick, Metro Nashville Public Schools Sarah Caye, Wiatr & Associates Kathleen Kestermann, HUB International
Julie King, Caterpillar Financial Services
Jackson Vroon, Vroon Movers
Taylor Vroon, Vroon Movers