Congratulations Sculler and Scholar Abigail Munoz!

Among our junior scullers and now as their coach, Abigail has been a beacon for others to follow. We congratulate her on being accepted into UC Davis, where she will pursue a career in the medical field after excelling in her studies at Stockton Collegiate High School. 

About her career goal, she says:

“An aspect of this career that attracts me is constantly learning. A big motivating factor for me to become a physician is to create equity. I was fortunate to have a family that advocated for me to receive the best medical care and education. Not everyone has this opportunity, but I will be that missing advocate for those that lack it..”

Abby’s accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but here are some highlights:

  • At DSC, she’s coached Sample Sculling sessions and summer camps for youth unfamiliar with our sport. The youngsters she worked with loved her! Now she coaches our afterschool athletes. About her experiences at DSC, she says, “I did not know that stepping foot into the boathouse would open a world of new opportunities. Every day, I learn the aspects of the rowing stroke and more about myself. I’ve learned how to succeed as a team, look adversity in the eye, and persevere. DSC has provided me with a nurturing environment to improve myself physically and emotionally.”
  • Nationally, she was also chosen . . .
  1. by Arshay Cooper and A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund to attend a summer camp at the oldest and most prestigious sculling center in the country (in Craftsbury, Vermont). Camp coaches and administrators lauded her for being a leader among her fellow campers.
  2. as a nominee for an Olympic Development camp in Florida AND
  3. as an Ambassador for Stem-to-Stern, a nationally known program that brings together rowing and STEM education
  • She also volunteered to be a leader at community events (e.g. Earth Day and YMCA Healthy Kids Day) where she and her teammates taught children and adults how to row on ergometers (rowing machines).
  • As a high school student, she gained many awards and recognitions:
  1. a top applicant chosen for the UC Davis Health Equity Academy,
  2. one of Decision Medicine’s top 24 students in San Joaquin County,
  3. CA Bd. of Education’s Migrant Education Region 23 Honor Student and ELC Program recipient for being among the top 9% of California high school students, and
  4. accepted into the SJ Medical Society for Bridge to Medicine, St. Joseph’s Society Resident Mentor Program, and the Stockton Scholars Program

Bilingual in Spanish and English, Abigail will be very much sought after by whoever is lucky enough to hire her after she graduates from college.

Congratulations Abigail on ALL you have accomplished  as a sculler and scholar!

Here’s  what Abigail and former coach Hannabeth Magnuson had to say about DSC’s initiative with community leaders to establish an aquatic center for all types of person-powered watercraft on Stockton’s Delta waterways.