Aspiring Pediatrician Amy Natalya Grant

Feb 16, 2014 Sports

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– talented swimmer, singer, guitarist and pianist

By Franklin Wilson
There’s an ongoing debate when it comes to young people being involved in sports and at the same time seriously focusing on their academic pursuits and of course there are persons who are supportive of the former having positive effects whilst there are others who are against same.

Today’s Youth in Focus however, is of someone who has been able to achieve that balance academically and at the same time focus on a budding career in swimming whilst also being a singer, guitarist and pianist; that person is 12-year-old Amy Natalya Grant, a first form student of St. Rose’s High School and a member of the Silver Sharks Aquatic Speed Swim Club.
Let me from the outset state that Grant’s consistent rise all-round is as a result of the constant support she receives from her parent’s, and by the way her dad is the man of ‘Mash in Guyana’ fame, Rudy Grant. Her uncle is Guyana’s lone International Superstar Eddy Grant.
In conducting this interview, Amy exuded confidence, calm and assuredness as she responded appropriately to the questions posed to her.
Growing up as youngster, Amy was always fascinated by water and around the age of eight she ventured into competitive swimming and has been improving admirably ever since pointing out that both of her parents are solid rocks in her setting a solid foundation on which she will stand in the coming years and life for that matter.
Her exploits in the pool in a young career have been well documented and among her notable performances to date was when she broke the 50m backstroke record at the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Mashramani Meet in 2011.
She has been a consistent participant at GASA events and turning in outstanding performances.
While the talented Grant has never been able to represent Guyana to date, even though she was selected but has always, from some reason fell ill; her immediate aim is to qualify and represent Guyana at the Junior Carifta competition.
While the young Grant does not make it to the pool every morning due to school, she ensures that some quality time is spent there in the afternoons.
“I will go to swimming in the afternoons and I come home like after 8 O’clock when I would eat and take care of me before I do some guitar and piano practice. Before I go to bed I have to do my homework because I really don’t like to go to bed with assignments and homework on my mind. I like to clear my thoughts so I could have a peaceful sleep.”

Amy informed that her day normally starts around 06:00hrs when she would go do land training with her mother before getting ready for school which she states is challenging but exciting.
Of course it sounds like packed days for Amy Grant and it is, but the athlete says that this routine is something that is adhered to Monday through Friday. She finds some time to relax by watching TV when she can during the week but noted that the weekends are for her to do things her way.
Giving some insight into her musical background and career, Amy said that she started play the guitar at Church around 2 ½ years ago, while her piano career commenced about 1 ½ year ago.
“Music is very much a part of me, actually, my mom said when I was born I could have sang before I started talking so I guess that is special. I love singing.”
To date, the talented singer who indicated that International singer Taylor Swift is her role model has done one song that can be seen on You Tube titled ‘Christmas must be something more’.
The song was also written by Taylor Swift and Grant sang it like a professional at the Brickdam Cathedral’s Festival of Carols in 2011.
She has said that writing her own music is something that she would think about in later years and that she feels no pressure at all being the daughter of Rudy Grant, noting that she has her own desire to become a Pediatrician.
Amy says she is very aware of the many challenges that young people today are faced with and is urging youths to be positive, ensuring that education is priority. This is her advice to young people.
“I would say to all the youths, younger and older than me that they should always make education a priority while doing whatever sporting activities it is they love to do. Parents should also encourage them to do what they would like to do. If Saturday and Sunday is free they should take up lawn tennis, swimming or table tennis.”
Parental support Amy emphasized was very important, sharing her thoughts on the involvement of her parents in her life.
“They encourage me a lot, saying if you want to do this it’s alright, you have to make your choices and we will be there to guide and support you.”
And while Amy’s parents are special to her, she also mentioned the other instrumental persons that have and continues to make positive contributions to her development. Among those persons are her swimming coaches Mr. Rawle Collins, Mr. Sean Baksh, Ms. Isabelle Fals and Mr. Jaime Skeete.
In the musical line Ms. Marilyn Dewar, Ms. Jane De Freitas and Ms. Grace Lee as well as all her teachers at St. Rose’s High and those that also thought her whilst she was attending Mae’s Primary school.
Some notable achievements of Amy Grant in the pool
2012 Mash Meet – Broke Girls 9 -10 50m Long Course Freestyle Record which was held by Ashanti Nichols for 17 years. Amy also won the 100m Freestyle Long Course in Record time.
2012 National Schools Swimming Championships Short Course – 12 & Under Girls category:   Amy won Gold in the 50m Backstroke and took Silver in the 50m  Freestyle winning the 12 & Under Champion Girl accolade in the process.
December 2012 GASA National Swim Meet Short Course – Amy set a record in the 400m Freestyle Girls 9 -10 category. She swam 16 lengths of the 25m Pool and this was never done before by a 9 -10 Girl.
2013 Independence Meet Long Course – Won the 100m 11-12 Backstroke, 50m  Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and the 400m  Freestyle.
2013 July Sprint Meet Short Course – Won the 100m Backstroke, 200m Freestyle,  200m IM,   100M  Freestyle and 50m Freestyle .
2013 GASA Nationals Short Course – Won the 11-12 50 m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m  Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and 200m Freestyle.
2013 National Schools Swimming Championships Short Course – 14 and Under Girls Category: Won the 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke to win the Champion Girl prize in this category.

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