From Devyn to D-Dog 22: The Evolution of an AquaMissions Ambassador

Devyn Etling, AKA D-Dog 22, with a group of AquaMissions volunteers

Imagine the eloquence of a professional ballerina…

She must have a knowledge of movement, the human body, and particularly… kinesthetics.

Kinesthetics? Yes, it’s a real word.

And it’s defined as the perception of body motion, position, and tension, often referred to as the "sixth sense," or muscle memory.

Such was the obsession of Devyn Etling.

When you’re into professional ballet, it tends to demand your life’s attention.

Devyn grew up in theaters.

In fact, she performed at Cleveland Playhouse Square the majority of her life and eventually became a trainee (a pre-professional dancer) with Cleveland Ballet. She danced full-time her senior year of high school and her first year of college.

Ballet was her life.

Her knowledge of movement, the body, and kinesthetics also led her into the realm of gyrotonics — a holistic movement system that combines principles from yoga, dance, swimming, and tai chi to enhance joint mobility, strength, and flexibility.

Devyn built her life’s foundation on the art of movement, but she found it was the sharing of these principles that drove her to greater heights.

When she was dancing, she began teaching little kids, even babies, various methods in the realm of movement — dance, kinesthetics, gyrotonics, you name it.

So it would be of little surprise that Devyn enrolled in Cleveland State University and pursued an Undergrad in Health Sciences, with a track in Pre-Physical Therapy.

Devyn always loved kids. And she always loved the water…

In January 2025, an email opportunity came across her desk from CSU’s Department of Health Sciences.

There was a call for swim coach volunteers.

Interestingly, Devyn had never even visited her university’s swimming pool.

But, she thought, “I love kids. I love swimming. This could be fun.”

She showed up at a pool she’d never seen to work with people she’d never met and ran into Lynne Nagy, the founder of AquaMissions.

When Devyn first ran into Lynne, she wasn’t quite comfortable in her own skin…

Sure, Devyn was comfortable with the art of movement. But, like most young adults, she was still finding herself in other ways. (More on that later.)

“When I got to the CSU pool for the first time, I kind of just got thrown into it,” said Devyn. “Lynne handed me a suit and said, ‘Here, put this on.’”

Devyn was a natural.

She loved working with the kids and continued as a swim coach volunteer during her Spring semester.

Then, an opportunity came up for a leadership role within the organization.

In Fall 2025, Devyn became an official intern for “Swim the Gap,” a partnership between CSU and AquaMissions to provide free, essential water safety and swim lessons to Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students.

She continued on as a student intern and employee for AquaMissions.

It’s at this point that Devyn blossomed not only personally, but professionally…

“I was attending meetings with Lynne and learning to navigate relationships on an organizational level,” said Devyn. “In working with Lynne, I really gained confidence in the world of professionalism.”

All-the-while, Devyn was still engaged with her favorite part of the program as a swim coach. And her personality was coming out more and more, so much so that she was given a new nickname by AquaMissions founder Lynne Nagy. “I started calling her D-Dog 22,” said Lynne. “You’ll see her sporting it on her swim shirt.”

“My favorite part is working with the kids,” said Devyn. “We separate the kids into randomized mixed groups. Some show up and they’re terrified of drowing. But everyday, I see the transformation.”

Devyn, or D-Dogg 22, was also seeing a transformation in herself.

“I see their confidence building,” she said, “and I love witnessing their development over the course of the program… especially witnessing their teamwork together.”

“I need these kids in my life. They are so dear to my heart that I can’t imagine my life without them or AquaMissions.”

Imagine the eloquence of a professional ballerina… someone who understands the art of movement.

Then, imagine what that ballerina looks like when she gets off the stage and heads out into the world with the confidence to make a difference.

Such is the story of Devyn Etling, or should we say, D-Dogg 22.