look book

The Look Book Goes to the Rockaway YMCA

Checking in with masked members at the gym.

Keith Sims. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Keith Sims. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Keith Sims (pictured above), Retired, Far Rockaway.

Do you come here often?
Yes. As a matter of fact, I turned 60 yesterday, and I’ve been going to the YMCA since I was 12. It’s a family atmosphere. I raised my daughter in the YMCA — my daughter who made me a grandfather.

In which part of the Rockaways do you live?
On Beach 84th. I live alone. My wife passed away from cancer in 2010. It was such a beautiful marriage. Ain’t no secret or wisdom to a good marriage. A little bit of compatibility. She was born March 29, and I was born March 31. We clicked. We enjoyed each other and did things together. Even when she would go to the beauty parlor to get her hair done, I would go with her. We were just like, Go, go, go, we ain’t wasting time. So that’s what I still do. I enjoy life. I love my plants, my pink Chinese evergreen. I love my squirrels — I give ’em the big walnuts. I’ve seen Shen Yun five times, I meditate. We only get one shot at this shit.

Isaiah Prince, High-school student, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Anthony Coppola III, 1-year-old, Rockaway Park. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Danasia Addie, Receptionist, Rockaway Park. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Urmat Orozaliev, Business analyst, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Moniques Sookram, Business analyst, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

What are you here for?
A swim class. I learned to swim two years ago, and I’m pretty good in the shallow end now. But I’ve never been able to conquer my fear of the deep end. So I wanted to take some more classes to build up my confidence. It’s getting there.

Jayden Wint, Eighth-grader, Rockaway Park. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Remmiel Simon, High-school student, Rockaway. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Crusbeny Cruz, Model and auction trader, Far Rockaway. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Do you have a pre-workout routine?
I stretch and make a Dominican breakfast: mashed plantains with onions, ham, and cheese, maybe some avocado. I eat it every day, and I do not get tired of it.

Serge Vaculeac, Public accountant, Rockaway Park. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Obdulio Rodriguez, Restaurant worker, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Maya Smith, High-school student, Rockaway. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Nice highlights.
I’d seen girls doing it on TikTok but not many curly-haired girls. I used to post all the time, mostly dance challenges. TikTok has been a plus during quarantine. It keeps everyone busy, butit kind of feels like a relief that while I’m lifeguarding, I can’t be on my phone.

Briana Dominick, Senior counselor, Rockaway. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Claudia Bloom, Acting coach, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Enrique Colon, Unemployed, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Chance Bishop, Police lieutenant, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Benjamin Naime, Second-grader, Rockaway Park. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Alexis Jones, Scientist, Arverne. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

So you’re a scientist?
Yes, I’m in cancer research. I work with a rare subtype of melanoma, trying to figure out better treatment options. And then lately, in my free time, I’ve been coming here and learning how to play the ukulele. I’ve been working on Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

Dina Browne, Lifeguard, East Flatbush. Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

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The Look Book Goes to the Rockaway YMCA