HAPEVILLE—Naomy Grand’Pierre wasn’t just chasing Olympic glory. She had larger goals in mind.

The 2010 graduate of St. John the Evangelist School, Hapeville, swam for Team Haiti during the recent Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The school hosted a viewing party, attracting friends and family when Grand’Pierre competed in the women’s 50-meter freestyle swim. She was the first female swimmer from Haiti to compete in the Olympics. She placed 56 out of 88 competitors.

Media reports said despite being an island, most people of Haiti do not know how to swim. According to the reports, Grand’Pierre would like her appearance in the Olympics to be a catalyst to encourage more people to take up the sport and athletics.

She now attends the University of Chicago.