“With rowing, you’re the one with the power. You get to decide whether or not you want to be successful, because you really have to push yourself to have good technique and [to] get stronger. If you really want something and have the mentality to keep working, you see results. Watching your hard work pay off is the best feeling,” senior Grace De Vita said.

Beginning her career on the Novice team in 2019, De Vita has been competing at the Marin Rowing Association (MRA) since she was in eighth grade. Working her way up over the years, she eventually earned a spot on the women’s varsity boat as a freshman, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation during the fall of 2022. 

“My first year on varsity I was randomly put into the top boat for a really big race called the Head of the Charles, where about 130,000 people came to watch,” De Vita said. “[It] was huge to me to be on the boat with these older and skilled athletes that were 18 years old, while I was only 14. It was super inspiring to compete with them, because I had always looked up to their talent and dedication.”

In addition to competing in large races such as the Head of the Charles which is held annually in Boston, De Vita has been to the USRowing Youth National Championships three times. With her extensive experience and dedication to the sport, De Vita was voted to be head captain of her team this year. Sandy Armstrong, who has been De Vita’s coach since 2019, recognizes several aspects of her personality that have contributed to her success.

“Grace’s demeanor is engaging, positive and empathetic. She is a quality teammate that always has such a positive impact on any team that I am coaching. … Through all of that, Grace has been this great, steadfast leader, which is how she has become captain,” Armstrong said. 

Armstrong has contributed to De Vita’s athletic growth in past years, and admires how she prepares for big competitions. 

“Every athlete prepares for a competition in their own way. Sometimes people can be so nervous that they’re hard to be around, and they’re so scared that they can have a negative effect on their team,” Armstrong said. “Grace is the opposite of that. People want to be around Grace going into competitions because of her eye-catching demeanor, positive attitude and excitement at trying to perform at those highest levels.” 

In addition to De Vita’s coaches, her teammates also appreciate the lightheartedness and commitment she brings to every practice and race. Quincy Stone, a senior at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, is co-captain of the team and has been rowing alongside De Vita for two years. 

“Grace is a great role model because of how experienced she is. She’s been rowing for so long, and you can tell by how she prepares for races. She’s very calm, internal and focused. On our team, she really brings this kind of lightness. She’s able to get everyone on the same page to work together, which really takes the anxiety out of high stress situations,” Stone said. 

De Vita’s dedication and hard work has paid off, as she is committed to the Division I rowing program at Harvard University. She credits her close relationship with Armstrong and her teammates to a large part of her success, as well as her own dedication to pushing herself to be the best she can be. 

“I’ve been at this program for so long that I feel like I’ve kind of grown up here. All of my coaches have been inspiring, but [Armstrong]  has been especially important. Ever since I was young she believed in me and constantly told me that I have potential, but that I need to work hard. Being a great athlete was never going to come easily, and she always encourages me to keep showing up, keep proving myself, keep learning and keep putting in the work,” De Vita said. 

Armstrong is grateful to have such a natural leader on her team, and looks forward to seeing De Vita continue her career at Harvard. 

“She’s just a lovely human being, and a very good athlete. I’m super proud of her that she is moving on to Harvard, I think that is the perfect fit,” Armstrong said. “She will bring her positive spirit to that team, and they will be very lucky to have her.”