The children gathered at Blue Ash Kmart, 4150 Hunt Road, about 6:30 p.m. and started on their shopping about 6:45.

        The children are selected from low-income families from the Blue Ash and Reading schools. They also receive after-school care at the Blue Ash YMCA.

        In phase one of the program, the children receive $100 to spend on supplies, a pair of shoes and a back-to-school outfit.

        They are allowed to make their own shopping list and purchasing decisions to help them develop responsibility and self-confidence.

        About 66 kids were involved in the shopping day, along with 37 mentors from the Blue Ash and Montgomery Rotary Clubs, and teen mentors ages 16-18 from the YMCA Leaders Club and YMCA staff.

        Phase two of the Bright Beginnings program concentrates on promoting literacy. Children are divided into two groups. Each group is given copies of a different book. Working with mentors of the Leader's Club, the children are required to read the book and write a report or re-enact the story.

        In October, the groups will exchange the books.

        Bright Beginnings is one of 300 programs the YMCA offers through 21 locations in the Tristate.

        The Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA men's swim team, the Tigersharks, won a national championship in competition at the 2002 YMCA National Long Course swimming match at the University of Maryland, the first in the 38-year history of the team.

        Mike Leonard, senior program director and head swimming coach at the YMCA, said it was not only history-making, but a reflection of an entire career of the swimmers.

        “They have been in the program since they were 8 years old,” Mr. Leonard said. “This represents a whole lifestyle of participation. They worked hard for this. We are excited.”

        The team set a team record with 514 points, 204 points better than the second-place team. It was the largest point spread from first to second place in the history of the meet.

        Individual performances included that of Philip Roebuck, 16, and Dab Schrider, 17, both of Wyoming High School. They won individual national championships. Philip took first place in the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 26.06, and placed second in the 100-meter butterfly.

        Dab won the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:07.77. He also placed second in the 200-meter breaststroke and tied for third in the 50-meter breaststroke. Brian Tiemeir, 18, of North College Hill High School, anchored all five of the team's winning relays.

        Programs at the Y include adult and youth sports, gymnastic and swim teams.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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