After 25 years on the job at the YMCA, Cindy Bowe is retiring, but the impact she left on many will go on.

Bowe, who was the YMCA aquatics director, will work her last day Friday as she plans to move out of town to be closer to her grandchildren. Bowe’s final day at the YMCA will be a little emotional for her.

“I knew it was coming. I was getting ready for it,” Bowe said. “It’s bittersweet because this past year I’m coaching the kids of parents who I coached when they were 7 and 8 years old. It’s gone the whole circle.”

Bowe began her career with the YMCA in 1999 and by 2001 she was recognized as Minnesota’s Rising Star by the Association of YMCA Professionals. The following year, she was named Volunteer of the Year by Mower County Red Cross. She has served as a leader in Minnesota’s YMCA swimming community during her entire tenure.

Throughout her career, Bowe has led the Austin YMCA’s efforts to maintain safe practices throughout the Y’s programs and facility. She has trained thousands of staff in first aid and CPR techniques and has hired, trained and supervised over 600 lifeguards and swim instructors.

Currently, six of Bowe’s former employees work in YMCAs in other parts of the country, attributing their career choice to Bowe’s mentorship. She’s also left an impact on many of her former swimmers.

“You don’t realize the lives you effect until now, where I’m getting letters from kids in their mid-30s, who are thanking me for being a role model in my life and all of the values that they’re using in their adult life,” Bowe said. “To hear that back is really rewarding.”

Replacing Bowe as aquatics director will be Sydney Stock, who has experience as a swim coach in the Twin Cities area. Stock also had experience on a Division I rowing team at the University of Wisconsin.

“Doing [rowing] in college really got me into a sports-orientated job and that’s helped me becoming the coach and teacher that I am today,” Stock said.

Stock has lived in Austin for the past two years and she enjoys the community. She has worked a the outdoor Municipal pool over the last two summers and she enjoys spending time at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Stock has been able to learn directly from Bowe on how to do the job and she’s excited to take over next week.

“I know that’s how any new job is,” Stock said. “You learn a lot right up front, but I’m looking forward to getting into it more and more each day. I’m a pretty quick learner, but it’s a lot and she does a lot more than I think I even expected.”

As Bowe moves on, she said it is the relationship she had with her swimmers that she will remember most. She prided herself on being a role model and was glad to leave a positive impression on the swimmers she taught.