Drema Biron, swim team head coach, has been an inspiration to students and swimmers for five years. In her years before teaching, she swam competitively for nine years. Knowing from a young age what she wanted, she eventually pursued her dreams of being a swim coach and history teacher.
Currently, Biron teaches World History & Geography 1 and is the boys’ varsity swim head coach. Being a part of the team and teaching new and returning swimmers is very rewarding for her and her swimmers.
“[Being a swim coach] gives me the opportunity to share competitive swimming with people who haven’t gotten to do it before,” said Coach Biron. “ There aren’t many [swim] club swimmers, so it gives a new opportunity to teach those who don’t know how [to swim].”
Her current and former students recall advice and memories she has, taking them along with them on their next chapter of life: college.
“She always reminds me that every practice counts and that small improvements matter,” said alumnus Jason Bonilla-Snow, former member of the swim team. “That advice keeps me motivated and helps me stay positive, even on tough days, and that still applies to me to this day.”
During her swim career, Biron swam distance. Her favorite events were anything butterfly, especially the 200m and 1650m (mile swim). According to her, if it was butterfly, she wanted to do it.
Her love for swimming started at a young age, and she soon found her strengths in the pool. Eventually, after her family moved to New Hampshire, her swimming career came to an end.
“[In New Hampshire], there weren’t as many opportunities,” said Biron. “There was only one recreational team. I saw a practice, and I said no because I didn’t feel like it matched the competitive level I was seeking.”
Outside of the pool, Coach Biron also gets to know her swimmers. She makes them feel seen and known. She mentors them, letting them know they have her support and care.
“Some of my most personal memories with my coach are when we talked after school or during lunch about swimming, how I did in meets, how the team performed, and life in general,” said Bonilla-Snow. “She always listens and gives great feedback, which shows how much she cares about us.”
In order to coach her swimmers to the best of their abilities, Coach Biron utilized all of the advice her coaches gave her and passed that knowledge down from her experiences.
“I was really lucky and had amazing coaches,” said Biron. “Even though it was a long time ago, I tried to remember their tips and use the knowledge I learned over my nine-year career.”
Class of 2025 alumna Chloe Nelson is now a part of JMU’s club swim team.
“I think her past makes her a better coach because all she does is take from her own experiences to make us better,” said Nelson. “If she doesn’t understand what we are going through and what we do, she wouldn’t be able to help us like she does.”
Coach Biron’s swimming career wasn’t just impressive; it shaped her into the coach she is today.
