Name: Jodie (Yantachka) Pender
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2005
Events: 50/100 Free, 100 Back
Degree: Elementary Education and Spanish
Profession: Assistant Principal
Current residence: Southport, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
My favorite memory of being part of the UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program was walking out of the locker room on meet days. The cheering and excitement was always exhilarating to me. The second you walked onto the pool deck and the cheering got louder because everyone knew they were about to swim a fast race to help support a Seahawk win was always a feeling that could never be matched. Meet days were what brought all the hard work together. Knowing that a great race and personal best would come from the countless hours that were put in the pool, weight room, and miles on hot afternoons…along with the occasional Saturday ocean swims (if the weather cooperated) was personally rewarding especially when it helped a Seahawk win. The celebration by the team, Coach Allen, and Dan Forrester after a great race and winning a meet was always the best. My UNCW Swimming years will always hold a special place in my heart.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Swimming in any capacity was always what made me happy and has always been a big part of my life. I grew up with the mindset; always do what you love. When I became part of the UNCW Swimming & Diving program I was doing what I loved. I thought that was the purpose of being a part of the UNCW Swimming and Diving program, but it was so much more than this mindset. The UNCW Swimming and Diving program helped me obtain skills that I have used from college and continue to use today. Building friendships, gaining strong leadership skills, creating a passion to succeed even when things are difficult, and instilling a passion to support my future were just a few of the qualities I gained. I truly believe that I gained these skills by being a part of a strong, dedicated, and determined team. These skills that I have taken away from UNCW Swimming & Diving program have helped me daily to support our future generation as an educator.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Since the UNCW pool deck days I have been in the Education field. I was a K-3 teacher for 11 years, Instructional Coach for 5 years, and I am now an Assistant Principal. I have been an Assistant Principal for the past 3 years. My husband, Cliff, is a general contractor and owns Solstice Builders. I taught my step kids, Hunter and Dow, when they were in First Grade. Hunter is now a Junior at Appalachian State studying K-12 Spanish Education. Dow is a Freshman at UNC Chapel Hill studying Nursing. We are a very active family who spends a lot of time somewhere around the water and we love to travel!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach, Jerry Allens, Level 5
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
“It’s a great day to be a SEAHAWK!”
“DUB LOVE”
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Sometimes “life” gets busy and you forget to do the things that you love to do for yourself. Make time for those things that you love to do for yourself even if it is for 15 minutes. Do what you love, love what you do, and always know….you will be a Seahawk for life! Go SEAHAWKS!