Twi
Congratulations to Doherty High alum (Class of 2011) Amel Younis, who recently finished 25th in the World Rowing Championship in Belgrade, Serbia! 🚣🏆
Amel was the 2nd person to ever represent his home country of Palestine in the World Championship.
We’ll all be cheering him on as he competes in the Asian Olympic qualification regatta in South Korea!
Amel said rowing for the Worcester Public Schools crew team helped him navigate his tumultuous teenage years.
“The water gave me a sense of calm. I couldn’t worry about school, home life, or anything else because I had to be present in the boat to make sure not to make a mistake,” Amel said.
Amel said he didn’t do that well in school in his younger years. He had a learning disability which made it more difficult.
“I didn’t know if I was going to college and didn’t feel confident in myself. When I got my first win in the spring of my sophomore year of high school, it changed everything. I had worked hard towards a goal and became a state champion.”
After that, he dedicated himself to both school and rowing. He needed a higher GPA to get into a university and continue rowing in college. He achieved his goal and rowed at Mercyhurst University where he won a bronze medal his senior year.
Amel hopes to become Palestine’s first Olympic rower.
“I know that it will be a great challenge, but with hard work and having that Worcester grit, I know I will give it everything I have to achieve this goal,” Amel said. “If you take the opportunities that are given to you and work incredibly hard, you will be surprised where life takes you. If it wasn’t for Worcester crew I don’t know where I would be.”
Amel said he hopes to inspire other young people of color from all backgrounds to try rowing.
“I’m an Arab who didn’t go to Harvard or Yale and am competing at the highest level,” he said.