From the moment Row New York’s coaching staff joins the ranks, we immerse them in the RNY community. In addition to extensive, hands-on training, a crucial piece of our coaching philosophy is to understand the communities of our participants. So this year, our Queens Program Director Mike Eichler decided to show our new Queens Middle and High School Program Assistants Ashley Tomblin and Lynna Paradiso this philosophy in a new way: a Queens scavenger hunt.
Ashley and Lynna differ in their knowledge of Row New York. Lynna came to RNY without prior knowledge of the city or our programs. “I was looking for a way to meld my passion for athletics (rowing specifically) with my passion for serving others and bettering the community around me. I was searching through AmeriCorps positions one day this past spring and when I came across it, I actually screamed at my computer in excitement.”
Ashley, on the other hand, is a former four year Row New York participant and knew the ropes: “I was a member of RNY from 2006 to 2010 and I enjoyed my experience with rowing so much that I decided to continue my rowing career for Iona College from 2010-2014. Throughout my summers working and volunteering for RNY, I always tried to lend my services the best way I could. I always wanted to give back to the sport that gave so much to me.” With different paths but a shared belief in rowing and community engagement, Ashley and Lynna were ready to delve into RNY’s coaching crew. But were they ready for a scavenger hunt?
Where Lynna’s NYC knowledge ended – “I’d explored New York City’s typical touristy attractions, but I’d never had the opportunity to explore Queens. I didn’t know anything about Queens other than the fact it was outside of Manhattan” – Ashley’s began: “I was born and raised in Queens, so during the scavenger hunt my expertise of my neighborhood and places that were close to Queens helped us out a lot. It was great to become reacquainted with my neighborhood once again.” With Lynna’s enthusiasm and Ashley’s know-how, they tackled the hunt with excitement and ease.
For both a seasoned Queens resident and an NYC newcomer, the scavenger hunt was an eye-opening experience. In what Lynna described as “similar to Ariel in the Little Mermaid…the ‘whole new world’ epiphany,” they both learned more about Row New York and Queens than they thought possible. Flushing High School, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Lemon Ice King, and Citi Field were just a few of over thirty scavenger hunt items. Far from just sightseeing stops, many of these items were chosen because they’ll help the coaches with Row New York: “He [Coach Mike] wanted Lynna and I to become familiar with the surroundings that our students would be coming from, or where they would hang out. The schools on the scavenger hunt are schools that RNY goes to for recruitment.” This gave Ashley and Lynna better insight into students’ lives and will prepare them for their teams and the tryout season in early September.
Ashley and Lynna experienced Row New York’s programs, too: “My favorite items on the hunt taught me more about RNY’s programs. I was able to ride along with coaches from different programs at Row New York at both the World’s Fair boathouse in Queens and the Peter Jay Sharp boathouse in Manhattan. Being able to spend time at adaptive rowing practice, middle school practices, and meeting more staff members and rowers was remarkable.”
Though Queens-centered, the scavenger hunt spanned RNY’s programs all around the city; Ashley and Lynna experienced the breadth of our programs on a day-to-day basis. “It was truly great to see Row New York’s versatility in programs and meet people who have been positively impacted by the organization I am now a part of.”
A seemingly quirky concept, the scavenger hunt was a unique opportunity in line with Row New York’s commitment to our students, staff, and community. As an RNY alumnae turned coach, Ashley now sees how the Row New York community comes full circle, “I learned that RNY looks into the bigger scope of things…[it] isn’t just focused on one thing…they are focused on many aspects of a participant/ student/ rower’s life.” The scavenger hunt exemplified her immersion into the coaching side of a rower-coach connection, “The background is key… that may spark one of our first connections with our rowers.”
For Lynna, it provided insight into an entirely new culture: “I feel like I’ll be able to understand my student athletes, organization, and surroundings on a much deeper level now that I have gotten out there, and I’m actively immersing myself in the community.” Armed with Queens knowledge (arguably more than most people in the city!) and an understanding of the communities they seek to serve, Ashley and Lynna are ready to coach at Row New York…and maybe visit Lemon Ice King just once more.
Ashley and Lynna – thank you and welcome to Row New York!
