Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship

Named in honor of one of OBC’s most beloved members, these scholarships support high school athletes who need financial assistance to join their schools’ rowing teams. The scholarships are funded by proceeds from the Occoquan Masters Sprints and by generous donations from those who understand the value rowing has for young people.

Applying for a Scholarship

The fund supports students who row for high schools based on the Occoquan Reservoir (Sandy Run, Bull Run, Oxford House).

The application requires these materials:

• A completed form with answers to all questions
• A recommendation from the student’s rowing coach, Athletic Director, or Booster president attesting to the student’s financial need and club participation
• Signatures from the parents, the coach, and either the Athletic Director or Booster President

Applications without these materials and signatures will not be considered, so please allow time to gather them.

The deadline for 2012 applications is Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Scholarships are announced two weeks after the application deadline, with funds being disbursed directly to booster clubs.

For questions or more information regarding the scholarship, please contact our Scholarship Chair, Cyndy Dailey, at gro.cbowornull@pihsralohcs.

About Julia Shew

One of OBC’s most active and outgoing members, Julia Shew extended herself with snacks and encouragement to the high school rowers who practiced daily at Sandy Run. In her last season on the water, at the age of 65, Julia attained the club record and her personal goal of rowing over 3000 miles in a single season. A college rower at UC Berkeley, Julia turned to sculling after her retirement. She could be found most mornings at Sandy Run before or after her daily rows to Bull Run, eager to describe the eagles and other wildlife she encountered. In the fall of 2010 Julia passed away. Because of her energy, generosity, and warmth, and in memory of her enthusiasm for youth rowing, OBC’s scholarship fund was named in Julia’s honor.

Supporting the Scholarships

The scholarships are funded mainly by the proceeds from the Occoquan Masters Sprints regatta, which Bob Spousta founded and envisioned as a source of support for high school students who need financial assistance in order to row. Other donors have contributed to the scholarship fund in Julia’s memory or because they understand the lifelong value rowing has for young people. If you would like to make a donation, please mail your contribution made payable to Occoquan Boat Club, PO Box 182, Occoquan, VA 22125. Please include Julia Shew Rowing Scholarship in the Memo Line.

Because OBC is a 501 c 4 organization, contributions are not tax deductible.

2011 Scholarship Awards

Sixteen young people representing 10 eligible schools were awarded scholarships for a total of $6,575. This amount included the full proceeds from the 2009 and 2010 OMS Regattas and generous donations in memory of Julia Shew. Awards ranged from $250 to $500 and were presented to each athlete’s Booster Club to assist with their membership dues.