Celebrating a dream turned reality
Special to the Sentinel
OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City High School Crew program commemorated its 20th anniversary recently with a special event at the team’s boathouse by the Roosevelt Boulevard bridge.
This heartfelt celebration welcomed back founding members, community supporters, coaches, past athletes, and the families of past athletes to honor two decades of dedication, teamwork, and a shared love of rowing. The event highlighted the incredible journey from the initial spark of an idea to the thriving crew program Ocean City High School enjoys today.
The program’s roots were planted when Ocean City locals Nancy Deckard and Faith Camp-O’Donnell had a vision for bringing high school crew to the area. Deckard and Camp-O’Donnell, each passionate about fostering a new athletic opportunity for Ocean City students, rallied the community, local businesses, and coaches to build the foundation of the program. Their unwavering commitment to making this dream a reality resonated across Ocean City and beyond, sparking a collective effort that saw support from business owners, rowing enthusiasts, and coaches both local and far-reaching.
“We couldn’t have imagined how successful this program would become,” Faith Camp-O’Donnell said. “Nancy and I knew we had something special in mind, but it’s thanks to the incredible generosity and commitment of this community that we’re here 20 years later, celebrating so many young rowers who have come through this boathouse.”
The anniversary event featured a tour of the boathouse, where founding members, coaches, and alumni reminisced about the program’s early days, shared stories of grit and determination, and reflected on how Ocean City Crew has enriched the lives of students and families alike. Current and past crew members showcased photos, awards, and memorabilia, capturing key moments in the team’s history and showing the evolution of the program over the years.
The Ocean City Crew program’s success has been made possible not only through the dedication of its founders but also through tireless fundraising and enthusiastic community support. The Crew Boosters extend their deepest thanks to everyone who has contributed time, resources, and energy to keep the program thriving.
For those inspired by Ocean City High School Crew’s journey, the program welcomes further involvement. Anyone interested in donating, joining our mailing list, coaching, or becoming part of the team through their time and support is encouraged to reach out to Kristen Young, president, at president@ochscrew.com, or vice president, Lorie Rice, at vicepresident@ochscrew.com.
With the community’s continued support, Ocean City High School Crew is poised for many more successful seasons. The team looks forward to growing its roster, representing Ocean City with pride, and encouraging the next generation of athletes to find strength, resilience, and camaraderie on the water.