Despite being a member of the FHC Rowing team for just one year, junior Megan McDowell leverages her understanding of the sport to navigate the daily challenges she encounters. From forging new friendships to managing the pressures of an after-school job, Megan demonstrates resilience and employs her problem-solving abilities to strive for personal excellence.
Being a junior in high school is arguably one of the most difficult years a student will go through during their high school career. From joining new sports to exploring new AP classes, it can easily grow difficult to handle all the hassling challenges simultaneously.
However, Megan agrees that managing school can be difficult while participating in a relatively time-consuming sport and figuring out her path for the future. Despite all the challenges she faces in her daily life, she pushes through, holding onto some of her favorite activities as a relief: watching comfort shows and simply taking the time out of her day to refresh for the following week.
“Sometimes it can be hard to handle school with rowing because practice is every day and then regattas on the weekends,” Megan said. “I honestly just make sure to take time to myself and watch a comfort show to help decompress from the week and prepare for the next week.”
Outside of her crew responsibilities, Megan dedicates her time to various extracurricular activities, including her after-school job and AP coursework preparation. This year, she is enrolled in classes such as AP Seminar, an English course specializing in the art of presentations and speeches, and AP Environmental Science. And for work, Megan spends her after-school shifts at a local field house concession stand.
However, even after the rowing season ends at the end of spring, Megan continues to use the many traits she developed over the season throughout her school year and career.
“I believe rowing has helped make me more confident,” Megan said. “I think I’m much less quiet than I was before joining the sport, and I feel like I can be myself more.”
One of the most significant aspects of Megan’s life is her relationships with her closest friends. In search of solace, Megan opts to engage with her favorite people, as their presence helps to alleviate her negative thoughts. Whether during school hours or just before a race, Megan consistently seeks the company of her favorite people, as she trusts that they will always support her in times of need.
After just one year on the crew, Megan has established some of her most cherished friendships with both upperclassmen and underclassmen on the rowing team.
“Through rowing, I have become friends with some of my favorite people. I now have people I can always go to when I’m feeling sad or just want someone to talk to, thanks to rowing,” Megan said. “I’m so thankful for how much rowing has helped grow my relationships.”
During the second semester of last school year, towards exam season, the FHC Rowing Team made their way to St. Catherines, Canada to participate in the Canadian Nationals. Since this was Megan’s first year of rowing, this was a huge adjustment for her and differed from the regular regattas back in Michigan.
Megan believes that one of the most important parts of being on crew is growing healthy relationships with everyone, since no matter what you will be crammed in a tiny boat, rowing for thousands of meters until reaching the end. Although, not only does Megan believe that growing relationships with the people on her team is important for winning but also for the best memories.
“My favorite part of rowing is the relationships made from it. One of my favorite memories was going to Canada sophomore year, especially getting second place,” Addie said. “It was a super surreal experience and I enjoyed doing it with the girls in my boat because we got so close. It was also a super fun experience to all hang out and get closer to each other at nights at the hotel.”
Megan acknowledges the common belief that managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously can be challenging; however, she asserts that the excitement from the sport easily outweighs the stress associated with her other life commitments.
However, for Megan, the reward of winning easily overpowers the hard practices it takes to get there, and in the end, she believes that it is all worth it for the unbelievable win FHC takes.
“It’s a big time commitment, but it’s super fun,” Megan said. “Don’t put yourself down if you don’t get super successful at the beginning, because in the end, it’s worth it,”
