OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) has awarded its annual $1,000 scholarship to Ocean City High School graduate Martin Stanczak, who will attend Northeastern University in Boston this fall to study chemistry.
Stanczak discovered his passion for chemistry almost by chance. “I accidentally enrolled in an AP Chemistry class during my junior year and found that I like chemistry a lot,” he said during a recent visit to the Ocean City Fishing Club Fishing Pier. “I like the concept of finding ways to help people and solve problems.”
While he has not yet decided which branch of chemistry he will pursue, Stanczak is interested in medical, environmental and cosmetic chemistry. “I want to focus my efforts in an area where I can help people,” he said.
Before leaving for college in mid-September, Stanczak will continue working as a beach tag supervisor for the City of Ocean City, a summer position he has held for the past four years. He is also a self-taught piano and guitar player and enjoys spending time with friends.
During his years at Ocean City High School, he participated on the golf team and was active in the National Honor Society, Student Council and the Latin Club. He also served as an OCHS ambassador and volunteered in the school’s annual food drive.
The scholarship recipient is recommended by Ocean City High School faculty and administration and reflects the Fishing Club’s commitment to supporting local students and giving back to the community.
Fishing Pier open
house July 30, Aug. 13
In addition to its scholarship program, the Ocean City Fishing Club will host public open houses on the Fishing Pier from 6–8 p.m. on July 30 and Aug. 13 to collect food and cash donations for the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
Located at 14th Street and the Boardwalk, the 635-foot-long fishing pier will welcome visitors for an opportunity to tour one of Ocean City’s most recognizable landmarks while supporting a local cause. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation to benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. Last year’s first Open House event attracted approximately 1,750 visitors, who donated 290 pounds of food and $2,433 to the Food Cupboard—setting new fundraising records for the annual event. “We’re grateful for the incredible generosity shown by our community each year,” said Augie Conte III, president of the Ocean City Fishing Club. “The Open Houses give visitors a chance to experience our historic pier while helping neighbors in need. We hope the community will once again support the Food Cupboard with food and monetary donations.”
Club members will be available throughout the evenings to greet visitors, answer questions, and share the history of the organization and its landmark fishing pier.
The structure extends 635 feet from the Boardwalk and over the beach and Atlantic Ocean and was lengthened by approximately 113 feet following an expansion completed in 2021.
Held in conjunction with Ocean City’s popular Family Night on the Boardwalk, the Open Houses are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to community service. In addition to supporting the Food Cupboard, the Ocean City Fishing Club sponsors youth fishing programs, awards annual scholarships, and advocates for recreational fishing. The club’s food drive began during its centennial celebration in 2013 and has continued as one of its signature community outreach efforts.
The club will also host its annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, on the north-end beach near the Ocean City–Longport Bridge, rain or shine.
Founded in 1913, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest continually operating fishing club in the United States.
