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lessons has helped her business grow through word of mouth and referrals, and her reputation made her business thrive. True to her mermaid persona, Kasia has a fun, adventurous spirit but exudes a mesmerizing calmness, qualities that bode well for someone who teaches nervous beginners to conquer the water.

When beginning with new clients, Kasia assesses family members together, and she encourages parents and guardians to be in the water with the children during their lessons. However, she only instructs one person at a time. “There’s a Polish expression, cstery oczy, that means four eyes,” Kasia said. “In other words, two eyes on two eyes. It’s how you know you are really connecting with someone.”

Cognizant of the fact that many people lead hectic lives, Kasia is available for instruction seven days a week, year-round, with one exception. She blocks out one day every year to volunteer with Ocean Cure, a non-profit organization that teaches people with challenges and disabilities how to surf. In late July, the Carolina Beach agency hosts a day-long event called “Life Rolls On” that Kasia never misses. (For more information on this event, July 23, 2022, go to www.ocean-cure.org) Kasia, who has been dubbed an “aquatic humanitarian,” donates lessons to people who may not be able to afford the cost of private instruction. She also gives free lessons to the children and grandchildren of active first responders, active military, and veterans as a tribute to her late father, who was a proud Army veteran. Zdzislaw Stanislaw Foltyn was born in Poland and was just twelve years old when his family helped smuggle Jews through the woods to safety during WWII. He eventually became a Polish Merchant Marine and came to the United States when he was 23 through the “LODGE Act of 1950,” which allowed immigrants to serve in the US Army to earn American citizenship. He served five and a half years and went on to live as a grateful, productive member of American society. Kasia’s mother, Oksana Tymczuk Foltyn, was born and raised in Ukraine. Oksana was a 21-year-old medical school student when she was granted a visa to come to America in 1960. She chose an altruistic career path working in cancer research. As a first generation American, Kasia credits her immigrant parents for her own sense of civic duty and compassion for humanity. “My parents were so grateful for the opportunities they had in the United States, and they passed that on to us kids.”

When the current war between Russian and Ukraine broke out, Kasia was quick to help, starting a fundraiser called “Pierogi for the People.” She solicited volunteers to help cook and sell pierogies at numerous fundraisers and to date has raised thousands of dollars for Ukrainians. The funds are distributed through the non-profit Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational, evangelical Christian relief organization. Somehow this seems fitting for someone whose personal motto is: Be.GO.Do Kasia explains: “Be the hands and feet; Go out in the community; Do unto others as you would have done

to you. And in the middle of all this is GOD.” Kasia is quick to support a worthy cause, from clean water to food pantries to local small businesses. She has a seemingly limitless supply of energy that drives her desire to be involved in things. In mid-2021 she created a networking alliance for small business owners in the Cape Fear region called WILMeet, which has quickly grown to nearly 300 members! But her true passion will always be her role teaching others to swim. “I get to do what I love!” she said.

When asked what she loves best about being a swim instructor, Kasia does not hesitate to respond. “Joy!” she replied. “The smiles on kids faces when they learn they can do this brings me so much joy!”

For more information, check out “The Mobile Mermaid” on Facebook. To contact Kasia for lessons, call or text (910) 707-3707. If you are interested in supporting efforts in Ukraine, check out Kasia’s fundraiser “Pierogi for the People” on Facebook.

Fun Facts About the Mobile Mermaid:

Kasia once answered a phone call from Pope John Paul, II! He was calling to speak with her Aunt Maria Foltyn, a mezzo soprano who served as the Director of the National Opera in Warsaw, Poland.

Kasia speaks eight languages! American English; Polish; Ukrainian; Castilian Spanish; Czech; Russian; Serbo-Croatian and American Sign Language. Nine if you count Mermaid!

Kasia has a twin brother who swam at UNCW and also makes a living through aquatic pursuits.