Katzer, Nieri receive National Drowning Prevention Alliance awards

Feb. 24, 2020

Matyas Katzer, a Slippery Rock University senior safety management major from Pittsburgh, has been selected by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance to receive a Michael Phelps Foundation Scholarship; while Lexie Nieri, a 2015 SRU graduate with a degree in health and physical education teaching, will receive the NDPA Community Lifesaver Award.

Both awards will be presented at the National Water Safety Conference, April 5-9, in Fort Worth, Texas. The NWSC is the annual conference of the NDPA, a nonprofit organization that provides the public drowning prevention and water safety education and programs.

Katzer will receive free registration to the NWSC and a travel stipend. Scholarships to attend the conference are sponsored by the Michael Phelps Foundation, a charitable organization launched by Olympic swimmer Phelps. The foundation promotes healthy, active lives by expanding the opportunities for participation in the sport of swimming.

Nieri's NDPA Community Lifesaver Award recognizes people for their contributions in the prevention of drowning and aquatic injury, providing excellent services and creating safer water. Nieri is the adapted aquatics instructor at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, teaching water safety and swimming skills for more than 200 blind or visually-impaired students.