At just 20 years old, Amelia Cooper is flying the St Cath’s flag at Harvard University – and she couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our Rowing donors.

Amelia remembers carefully stepping into a Rowing boat as a young Year 7 student and sighing with relief when she didn’t immediately end up in the water. Since joining St. Catherine’s in Year 3, she had tried every sport from Hockey to Water Polo, and the newly-formed rowing program felt like a natural next step. However, her journey wasn’t easy. “I started as the worst rower in Year 7 — I was the last pick of any crew, but I ended up as Captain of Boats in Year 12. Anything is possible if you are dedicated to your goal,” she said.

We are grateful for the hard work everyone put into raising funds to build the Rowing program.

Amelia Cooper (STC2021)

Amelia began rowing when our program was in its early stages, supported by the St Cath’s community, who came together to raise funds for much-needed equipment for our girls. By the time Amelia graduated in 2021, these generous donations had helped St Cath’s crew make their mark on the national stage. “We are all incredibly grateful for the hard work everyone put into raising funds to build the Rowing program,” she explained, adding that it has been “wonderful to see St Cath’s improve year after year. The girls now have a reputation for being a determined and unstoppable crew and are regulars in the national and international Rowing community. The Olympic Games is a realistic goal for many of them.”

Having watched St Cath’s Rowing blossom, Amelia is confident the heart of the program remains the same. “St Cath’s Rowing is special on so many levels — it combines deep and authentic friendships shared by the girls with great coaching, creating a unique community,” she said, revealing that she now feels incredibly proud to represent them at Harvard.

But she knew she was ready for the challenge. “After my time at St Cath’s, I knew I was prepared to thrive in the unique environment of Harvard University and Harvard Rowing,” she shared. As expected, Amelia has flourished at Harvard, and now at the end of her first year there, she feels incredibly fortunate to experience life at such a prestigious institution.

“Being immersed in a vibrant atmosphere is mentally stimulating; you really feel like you want to be your best self. The sense of community is also strong, which I really appreciate after experiencing that at St Cath’s,” she added.

Although Amelia doesn’t know where life will take her after Harvard, she is confident about one thing: St Cath’s will play a role in her future. “I want to ensure other St Cath’s girls have an experience as amazing as mine!” Amelia said. “As alumni, we have the opportunity to build a future legacy. St Cath’s is as much a part of my life as my friends and family, and I can’t wait to help provide the next eight in the future.”