OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Beach Patrol certified and swore in its 2026 rookie class of lifeguards Wednesday evening, June 24.
The OCBP welcomed 27 rookie lifeguards.
Deputy Chief Tony Mehalic, City Clerk Melissa Rasner and Chief Erich Becker led the ceremony in front of the entire OCBP and families gathered by the First Street Lifesaving Station.
The new rookies are Holly Aiken, Boden Arnold-Treanor, Emma Baird, Jack Behm, Andrew Boles, Jason Chojnacki, Ryan Cornell, Nigel Davidov, Aubrey Davidson, Marley Dwyer, Arthur Flukey, Greg Guyen, Harry Halscheid, Ella Mokienko, JD Moyer, Joey Napoli, Will Nicoletti, Alex Plousis, Jack Prentice, Hope Robbins, Nolan Roselli, Blaise Sadowski, Justin Soden, Jacob Troy, Cameron Varquez, Ryan Witts and Greg Woodward.
Mehalic certified the rookies will achieve more than 40 hours of training to become official members of the OCBP and have met all the qualifications on training, first aid and CRP “to keep the beaches of Ocean City safe and to uphold the legacy we have built in 128 years.”
He addressed the veterans and the rookies about “one of the greatest things about this amazing organization. This is the building of friendships.”
He talked about the importance of that to improve mental and emotional wellbeing and that time with friends “helps us build strong relationships based on trust, respect and understanding.”
“Whether this is your rookie year, your fifth year, 10th or 20th, the friendships that you build in your short time here will last a lifetime,” Mehalic said. “By making time for our friends, we enrich our lives and strengthen the relationships that help us thrive.”
Rasner swore in the rookies and the entire beach patrol with their oath of office.
Becker announced promotions of Sean McCaffrey and Scott Horner to captain and Kyle Roseland, Rileigh Booth, Sydney Rossiter, Justin Shaw, Ellis Kirk and Ben Nugent to lieutenant.
The chief also spoke of the friendships they will form and told the rookies that over the coming months they will have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Every day, families will come to our beaches expecting a safe and enjoyable experience and you will be a big part of making that happen,” he said.
Addressing the returning guards, he told them the rookies will learn not only from their training, but by watching them.
“Lead by example. Show up on time. Take pride in your stand. Treat people with respect. Work hard, stay positive and always put safety first,” Becker said. “The culture of this organization is passed down from one generation of guards to the next, and now it is your turn to help shape the future of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
“This job is more than sitting on a lifeguard stand,” the chief added. “It is about protecting lives, helping people in need, being a positive role model and taking pride in serving our community.”
Always swim near a lifeguard.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
