8 More Changemaker Scholarship Recipients Announced
Here at Steady State Network we're passionate about rowing and supporting the development of leaders in the rowing community. That's why we just gave away eight scholarships for visionary rowers, coaches, and want-to-be coaches to help them attend RowCon, USRowing’s Annual Convention, coming up in December.
Scholarship recipients will have full access to the five-day convention, they’ll get connected with their scholarship sponsors, and will join a growing network of Steady State Network Changemakers
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of individuals and business who believe in our mission and stepped forward to sponsor scholarships. Scroll below to read more about our sponsors and Changemakers.
SPONSOR: Steady State Network
CHANGEMAKER: Kati Brennan - BLJ Community Rowing / Philadelphia City Rowing
"I found rowing as a master's athlete and hope to explore opportunities to deepen the intersection between pursuits of social and racial justice in rowing and trauma-informed training techniques, as each of these pursuits are strengthened by the other. Given the past two years we've all had, all youth entering the sport have incurred trauma, and indeed, so have their coaches and program managers. If we are to create thriving, diverse, high-performing communities, we must expand our coaching and training techniques to be trauma-informed to create an environment where a greater diversity of young rowers can thrive.”
CHANGEMAKER: Izzie Day - The University of Adelaide (Australia)
"I believe that the future of rowing is uncertain and that being adaptable is a crucial quality for coaches and leaders to possess. I'm driven to lead a program that is modern, inclusive, and responsive to trends, and which has athlete well-being as the priority."
SPONSOR: Bobby Kizer, PhD
This scholarship is provided to support changemaking trainers and rowers as they find ways to expand the sport beyond the gender binary: supporting trans and non-binary rowers of all ages. This scholarship also supports efforts to make rowing accessible to people of all races, abilities, and economic backgrounds.
CHANGEMAKER: Nicole Arrato - Greater Columbus Rowing Association
"I've seen a series of changes over time in the world of rowing – cultural, technique-related shifts, and a general increase in the number of rowers overall. The rowing community needs to increase its inclusivity. I am working with Michigan-based transgender rower Willow Arts to establish a non-profit organization to provide structure for transgender rowers."
SPONSOR: Catalyst Rowing Fitness
Catalysts’ mission has been to share hope and promise through rowing and wellness with others. In support of its emphasis on community, Catalyst offers this Changemaker Scholarship.
CHANGEMAKER: Martyna Wasilewska - University of Central Florida / Rowing Club from 1904 "KW04" (Poland)
“I love this sport and want to spend my life in its community. I love how rowing influences all areas of our lives and makes us grow as humans and athletes. I want to make a change, a difference in my community - both here in the States and in Poland – and I know that one of the paths towards it is knowledge."
SPONSOR: Concept2, Inc.
CHANGEMAKER: Corinne Kazmierczak - Westside Rowing Club / University at Buffalo
"I am really interested in staying connected to the coaching community as I have gone back to college. I hope to learn as much as possible about how to be a great coach, nutrition for athletes, adolescent development and how that should impact your coaching style for juniors. I am a 1.5 years from graduating and can't wait to start coaching."
SPONSOR: Rower’s Dream
Rower’s Dream founder Lisa Weise received a Changemaker Scholarship earlier this year, and is really excited to return the favor in the hopes of inspiring another rower with big dreams!
CHANGEMAKER: Theresa Gang / Asheville Rowing Club
"There is currently no coaching program at ARC and no formal masters program. I have coached youth but haven't transitioned to coaching masters and would love to pick up some additional education."
SPONSOR: Science of Rowing
Science of Rowing supports and provides coaches of all levels with the opportunity to further their education and skill set to better serve their athletes and their team or organization.
CHANGEMAKER: Dani Dewitt - The Rowed Ahead / BitCrew
"As a high school rower, I moved to Chicago for the opportunity to train with Coach Michael O’Gorman – the coach in A Most Beautiful Thing. Today I'm building a virtual rowing platform (BitCrew) that makes coaching more accessible to everyone, regardless of location or resources, helping more coaches and rowers connect virtually."
SPONSOR: Tacoma Rowing
We are proud to support individuals who want to improve our sport by making it more accessible and inclusive.
CHANGEMAKER: Vanessa Harvey / Northstar Community Rowing
“There is so much positive work being done in silos across the country, I can't imagine what we could accomplish if we had each other to lean on to find solutions to shared challenges. I want to help build a community of clubs who are actively diversifying rowing with missions of inclusion and equity – including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and adaptive.”