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.

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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.

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, swimming, and coaching since she was a teenager. Brenda earned her degree in Health and Physical Education from Auburn University. She is a former P.E. Teacher at Lipscomb Elementary School in Brentwood. She has also worked as the head swim coach for the Brentwood Middle School, Brentwood High School and the Wildwood Gators summer league team. 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 and United States Swim Association. She is an Autism Swim approved Instructor. Brenda was a volunteer and a Lead Instructor for our Future and Junior Dolphin classes for several years and currently serves as the Dolphins Swim Team Coach and Executive Director. She is married to Brad and has three boys; Jackson, Taylor and Noah.

Tara Patil

Director of Operations

Tara grew up and went to school in Wisconsin and has a BS degree in Human Biology and an MS degree in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation. Tara has spent the last ten 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.

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. Pam fell in love with the Dolphins as a volunteer. She is married, has three grown children and four grandchildren.

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!

Moleigh waldherr

Moleigh is a senior at Vanderbilt, majoring in Special Education and Psychology. She is currently pursuing an Adaptive Aquatics Credential through Starfish Aquatic Institute. She is certified in First Aid and CPR and has experience as a Swim coach, Water Polo Coach and Special Olympics Volunteer Coach. Moleigh enjoys art and music and is delighted that her love of swimming and her background in teaching complement each other!

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 14-year-old daughter's extracurricular activity 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.

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 BS in Chemistry. She sees each of our swimmers 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 Aquatics certified in Adapted Swim levels 1 & 2, and Swim Angelfish Aquatic Therapy. 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.

Ashley Morgner

Ashley enjoys sharing her passion for swimming and helping individuals discover their own potential, build confidence, and experience the freedom and joy that comes from being in the water. Ashley is a certified Lifeguard with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid training. She has experience as a summer camp swim instructor, beachfront lifeguard, and camp counselor, in addition to many years as a volunteer at an adaptive sports program. Ashley is a special education major at Vanderbilt who enjoys watching sports and being part of the music scene in Nashville.

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.

amy brockman

Amy has been an early education teacher for more than 20 years and a Swim instructor for 10 years. Amy not only enjoys watching her swimmers succeed, but she loves to see how the swimmer's success affects their families. She believes that everyone can learn to swim, those with disabilities and those without. Amy is a proud new mom who enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and jogging.

Assistant Coach

Rachel grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA and has a BS in Early Childhood Education/Special Education and a M.Ed 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.

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