This month we’re excited to introduce you to the Ferraro Family: Julie, Mike, Brayden and Brynn. You’ll find these “pool rats” at Rose Tree Woods Swim Club (RTW) most days in the summer. From hanging by the pool with friends to helping organize and run the swim team meets, there is no place they’d rather be.
Born and raised here in Broomall, Julie grew up with her parents and brother and went to Worrall Elementary and Paxon Hollow Middle School. In eighth grade, her family moved to the Paxon Chase section of Broomall, staying close by to many of her friends. Growing up, swimming was always a part of Julie’s life. She swam for The Marple Swim Club team, life-guarded there and later even managed the club. As a student at Marple Newtown High School (MNHS), she was a member of the swim team for all four years.
Julie always wanted to be a teacher and after high school, she furthered her education at York College, earning a degree in Elementary Education in 2003. Then in 2008, she earned a Master’s in Education from Temple University. Julie just finished her 19th year of teaching at Chichester Middle School.
An eighth grade reading teacher, her favorite part of her job is making connections with students and watching them grow. “At the end of the school year I got a note from one of my favorite students telling me that my class gave her a love for reading and a new hobby,” Julie recalled. “It felt really good to know I have had an impact.”
Outside of school you can find Julie baking or reading. “When I am at the beach, my favorite thing to do is go early before the crowds, sit by the ocean with a book and listen to the waves,” she said. Julie also loves a good craft project, especially if it involves her Cricut machine.
Meanwhile, Mike grew up in Aldan with his parents and younger sister Nikki. From first to eighth grade, Mike attended Saint Joseph School in Collingdale. He graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in 1999 and then went on to study at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology from
1999-2001.
As a boy growing up in Aldan, Mike was very active in sports, especially in the recreational leagues where he played baseball and basketball. In eighth grade he started playing football, baseball and basketball for Saint Joseph’s. Then at Bonner, he played football all four years and continued to play basketball for rec leagues and in a local CYO league. He continued his football career at Thaddeus Stevens, where he studied automotive technology. To this day, Mike likes to stay active by playing roller hockey, which he’s done since 2001. Also a loyal fan of all Philadelphia sports, Eagles games in the Ferraro house turn out to be big events. “The Super Bowl victory was special with all of my family being together,” he added.
For over 20 years, Mike worked for Pacifico Marple Ford as a mechanic. A few years ago, Mike was looking to make a career change. “I was looking for something more flexible and conducive to spending time with my family,” he explained. His job search paused for a while over the pandemic and then this fall, Mike landed what he calls his perfect job, working for the grounds department in the Marple Newtown School District. “I really enjoy working where my kids go to school, and being a part of the school district,” he said. Mike also dedicates a lot of his free time to coaching local sports teams, coaching both his children in soccer and basketball here in Marple.
Mike and Julie met at Bootleggers in Ridley through a mutual friend in October of 2004. While they were dating Mike and Julie attended a lot of Phillies games. “Back then it was easier to get tickets and we could spontaneously catch a game on a Sunday.” In May of 2006 Mike was gifted tickets 
from a friend and he decided that would be the perfect night to pop the question.
After the couple married at St. Anastasia Parish in 2007, the newlyweds settled in Broomall in Julie’s original childhood home. “I always had great memories on this street so wanted to come back,” Julie explained. “Some of our neighbors are even the same as when I lived here as a child.”
What Mike and Julie like about their neighborhood is how kind and friendly everyone is. “People are always waving hello and stopping to talk,” Julie added. “It is the kind of street where everyone looks out for each other. Neighbors will pet sit for each other while on vacation. And when I bake I like to drop off treats to the neighbors. It is the best street to live on!”
Julie and Mike are privileged to raise their two children Brayden (14) and Brynn (11) here in Broomall. Brayden is an outgoing young man who just graduated from Paxon Hollow Middle School and will be a freshman at MNHS this fall. He loves riding his bike with friends, hanging out at RTW, and
spending time with family. Brayden is swimming for RTW this summer and he also plays football and lacrosse. “I am looking forward to high school. Especially playing football, swimming and lacrosse,” he said.
Brayden’s younger sister Brynn recently graduated from Worrall Elementary and is headed to Paxon Hollow Middle School in September. A hardworking student, she likes swimming, shopping, soccer and hanging out at RTW with her friends. “Brynn can be reserved, but when she’s with her friends, then she’s very outgoing,” said Mike. She plays the cello in her school’s orchestra and this summer she’s on RTW’s swim team. “My goal is to qualify for “A” Champs!” she said. The Ferraros also have a three-year-old cockapoo named Gage. “Gage is very energetic and loves to play lacrosse with Brayden in the backyard,” said Mike.
Every summer the Ferraros enjoy a trip to Kalahari water park and many trips to the beach. Most days you’ll find them at RTW, where they’re extremely active in both the club and the swim team. Having both been “pool rats” as kids, Mike at Aldan Swim Club and Julie at the former Marple Newtown Swim Club, joining RTW was a must. Brayden and Brynn have been on the swim team since they were five years old. Since they joined, Mike and Julie have been dedicated swim team parents along with a host of others from the club making it the place you want to spend your summers.
Mike is a current board member and co-chair of the Swim and Dive Committee and the Pool and Grounds Committee. He also serves as team representative for the Suburban Swim League. You will also find Mike announcing and starting home Junior Varsity and Varsity meets as well as the end of year banquet. They host pancake breakfasts, pep rally poster nights, the end of year swim team dinner and social, bake sales, 50/50 and many
other fun activities. “The swim team is important to the kids who attend this club,” Julie and Mike said. “We love working together with the other committee members Karen Gray and Quinn Keenan,” said Julie. “We all work together to help make the swim team successful. It’s a team effort!”
Each year, Mike and the kids ride in RTW’s float in the Marple Newtown Fourth of July Parade. In fact, they may have squirted you with their water guns along the parade route!
For Mike and Julie having such fond childhood memories of their own, they wanted the community feeling of Marple Township for their children. “Broomall is my home and I have great memories here!” Julie said. “This community is really important to us!” Marple Friends & Neighbors thanks the Ferraros for all they do for our community and making it the type of place where so many people want to raise their families.
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming
feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.