Senior year is already a memorable time for most students, but for exchange student Olivia Savioja (12), it has been even more special. Traveling from Finland to attend Los Banos High School, Savioja brought with her a deep love for the water and a strong background in competitive swimming.
Savioja has been swimming for five years and has developed a passion for the sport that goes far beyond competition. She enjoys swimming because of the variety it offers. “You can choose from a variety of events,” she explains. From sprint freestyle to breaststroke, she appreciates that swimmers can find the events that best match their strengths. Her main events are breaststroke and short-distance freestyle, where she focuses on sprinting.
Although swimming is often considered an individual sport, Savioja says it never feels lonely. “It’s an individual sport, but you never feel alone,” she shares. The team environment, shared practices, and support from teammates create a strong sense of community.
Back home in Finland, Savioja swam year-round with a club team because her high school did not offer sports. Unlike in the United States, Finnish swimmers always practice indoors. Her dedication to the sport didn’t stop there, she also spent a year doing synchronized swimming and even taught swim classes to younger kids. It’s clear that her love for swimming extends beyond competition; she truly enjoys anything that has to do with water.
This year at LBHS, Savioja competed in both water polo and swim during her senior year. She was especially excited to return to swimming after taking a two-year break from competition when she switched to coaching. Being back in the pool brought back the energy and excitement she had missed.
When asked if she would recommend swimming to others, Savioja didn’t hesitate. She believes the sport teaches important life skills like perseverance and stamina, qualities that help both in and out of the pool.
In addition to her athletic commitments, Savioja is also challenging herself academically by taking AP Statistics, even if she may not receive college credit for it. Her willingness to push herself, both physically and academically, shows her determination and strong work ethic.
As an exchange student, Savioja has not only experienced a new culture but has also made a lasting impact at LBHS. Whether she’s sprinting freestyle, teaching kids how to swim, or encouraging her teammates, Olivia Savioja continues to make waves wherever she goes.
