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Row New York alumna Charlotte Rendon (left) and her current novice rower sister, Kristal.

This is the third in a series of blog posts revisiting the lives of Row New York’s graduates as a part of our 10th Year Celebration.

Charlotte Rendon
Row New York Class of 2009
Binghamton University Class of 2013

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I was a sophomore in high school, when I was handed a flyer for Row New York. I had some time away from sports because of healing from heart surgeries and was ready to get back into action. Coming to practice was exhilarating because everyday I improved. Being on the novice women’s team was great because everyone was at the starting level. I felt I had a fighting chance and was pretty happy it was a weight baring sport as I started a lightweight and continue to row as one today. This team became and will always be my family. The amount of time put into the women in front and behind you in a boat, the coaches and volunteers that dedicate time, money and many wet clothes is irreplaceable. I can think of endless hours being at the office, after workouts, tutoring, trainings and feeling like I was at my home. My favorite times are being in the rough of a piece, on ergs, and feeling the intensity in the room, the grit that comes with the burning of quadriceps and lungs. All moving as one, everyone at the catch and finish at the same times; even as individuals we work as one entity. One of the first times I felt “hardcore!” was as a novice, learning to row in the rain, in the wind, and wanting to keep pushing. This feeling encouraged me to push to my max for everything and anything I wanted. I moved up from a average B student, to a straight A student, seat raced into the Varsity 4 boat my first year on the varsity squad, picked up the violin, and stayed present in my Tae Kwon Do trainings.

The confidence I gained pushed me to train harder, brought my 2k split down further, and allowed me to experience amazing indoor races such as C.R.A.S.H. Bs.

When it was time to look at colleges I knew I would not even look at one that did not offer rowing. I am now a senior at Binghamton University, ready to graduate in May! During my time here and currently I am an active member of the Binghamton Crew Team, an executive board member of the Binghamton Food Co-Op as a coordinator, and a founding executive board member and vice president of The Right Side of History (now called The Equality Project), which is an activist geared LGBTQ student group on campus. I am also on the executive board of The Latin American Student Union as the fundraiser, gained my certification from AFAA to be a group exercise instructor, and am a proud member and hold an executive board position for Corazones Unidos Siempre, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Incorporated.

When I arrived at Binghamton University, I realized that I was unsatisfied with the options for majors here so I decided to make my own. Through the Individualized Major Program, I was able to create my own major, a mixture of social sciences that includes anthropology, sociology, philosophy, comparative literature, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Africana Studies and many more. I entitled my major “The Intersections of Queer Genders and Race”. As a long-term goal, I would like to use my studies here to start a non profit organization in Queens, NY geared to genderqueer youth of color. This organization would not only be a safe space but offer connections to other organizations that can benefit them in other ways such as tutoring, sports teams, music lessons, medical services and therapy.

I had to leave Row New York because of college, but I always came back! I have been helping coach the middle school summer rowing programs for four summers now and have had the pleasure of coaching younger sisters of my teammates, and my sister Kristal herself who is now on the novice squad! For the upcoming year, I have acquired employment in the best place in the world, right here, my home, Row New York. I am thrilled to join the team full time and learn all that there is to coaching and even more about rowing.

Row New York is a love and a passion. This feeling started for me because of the love and sincere desire to help that Row New York’s staff showed from the second I walked through their doors. I am happy to be returning and helping other young women gain confidence, pride, and strong muscles for the future!

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