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This is the eighth and final installment in a series of posts examining the lives of Row New York’s graduates and rowers as a part of our 10th Year Celebration. Today we announce Kassandra Nevarez and Charles Mateo as our 2013 Excellence Award winners. Kassandra rows for our Queens varsity program and Charles for our Manhattan varsity program.

Kassandra Nevarez
Forest Hills High School Class of 2014

Joining Row New York was the best choice I’ve ever made.

I went to tryouts because my assistant principal asked me to, and I was intrigued by the idea of trying something new – and I was selected for the team! My first few days, I returned to practice despite my sore body because this was the first thing that truly challenged me. Both mentally and physically, rowing demanded something from me that nothing else did.

I fell in love with the sport after my first bad practice. I was put in a new seat and everything was going wrong. I felt my boat mates’ aggravation every time I did something wrong. Then, two boats were lined up and we raced. As soon as the starting command was given, everything snapped into place. All that I had to think about was rowing. All I saw was the girl in front of me. All I did was sync my rhythm to hers and pull as hard as I could. The sun set beside us, and at that moment I knew this was the sport for me. Now, every day, I look forward to the part of my day where I can forget about all my troubles and just row.

Rowing has taught me that I am much stronger than I thought I was. During races, our starts are so powerful that we run out of breath in our first few strokes, but we must keep going harder and harder until we finish the race eight minutes later. There is no stopping in rowing. In rowing, we pull as hard as we can and then even harder, just because we know our teammates are going through the same thing at that very moment. Doing this day in and day out has made me strong – I feel there is nothing I can’t do and nothing I can’t overcome.

If I can endure the things rowing puts me through, I can finish my homework. If I can keep rowing as my body begs me to stop, then I can deal with my family problems. With Row New York in my life, I don’t have to deal with anything alone. I can go to anyone on the staff and I’ll feel comfortable asking for help. I can go to anyone on the team and talk to them about whatever’s bothering me.

Thanks to Row New York, I set much higher goals for myself. I know that I can do anything so long as I commit and work hard for it. I know that I’ll have the resources I need in any facet of my life thanks to Row New York. Thanks to them, I have become a leader and a confident, strong woman.

Row New York has changed my life.

Kassandra 3

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Charles rowing photo 2

Charles Mateo
George Washington High School for Media and Communications Class of 2016

My name is Charles Mateo, I am currently a varsity rower on Row New York’s Manhattan team. I completed my novice year in spring 2013, and now I am on the varsity team. I attend George Washington High School for Media and Communications, and I am the first rower in my family.

I joined RNY because I thought it was something I could be good at. When the coaches spoke at my school, I thought it was cool. But after the tryout I really wanted to be on the team because I realized I was tall and strong, which was some of what the coaches were looking for. I remember going faster than the few kids around me on the erg part of the tryout. I also just wanted to try something different.

Row New York has made me realize I can work really hard at something. I like the feeling that I have accomplished something at each practice, and I am much better about staying focused on what I have to do each day. I also have gained a lot of new, close friends, who I share something unique with.

My favorite moment at RNY so far was winning a medal at the Long Island Championship last year in the boys Novice 8+. That was the first medal I’ve won, so it is pretty special. The race before, we lost really badly, and we were able to come back that following weekend and do something great. Because I only have been a part of RNY for one year so far, I look forward to many more great moments like that.

Charles 2

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