Super Kids
of the Metro
SPONSORED BY
Activism + athleticism:
Christopher’s story BY ERIN PAGE. PHOTOS PROVIDED.
Christopher Hendee’s favorite spot in the Oklahoma City metro is standing outside the Chesapeake Boathouse at sunset. “You can see the Devon Tower and Scissortail statue with all these beautiful sunset colors painted across the sky,” said Hendee. The 18-year-old Casady School senior has spent countless moments on the Oklahoma River, at sunrise, sunset and all hours in between, as a member of the OKC Riversport mens varsity rowing team. The same drive that propelled him from a middle schooler who knew very little about the sport to the varsity team has also benefited metro nonprofit organizations like Cleats for Kids and Positive Tomorrows as Hendee sought opportunities to serve at-risk kids. “My parents are both very generous, kind people, and I think being surrounded by that has had an awesome impact on me,” said Hendee of his desire to live a life of service.
CHRISTOPHER HENDEE BEGAN ROWING FIVE YEARS AGO THROUGH A SUMMER PROGRAM WITH THE BOATHOUSE FOUNDATION. HE’S NOW A MEMBER OF THE OKC RIVERSPORT MENS VARSITY ROWING TEAM.
Life lessons in rowing
A leader in service
Hendee was fairly unfamiliar with the sport of rowing until a friend introduced him to a summer program through the Boathouse Foundation. His interest piqued, Hendee signed up for the novice program his eighth grade year. He focused on basic technique and fitness, falling in love with the sport he’s been dedicated to since.
As Hendee’s determination as a rower has flourished so has his commitment to serving others in the metro. He credits his time in Boy Scouts, which he joined in the third grade, for developing his leadership and teamwork skills. In 2017 Hendee earned his Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in the Boy Scout Program.
“It’s a sport of a thousand details,” said Hendee. “Technique is the focus — that’s how you win races and that’s what sets people apart.”
Part of the Eagle Rank requirements include planning and carrying out a community project to benefit others. Hendee chose Positive Tomorrows, which provides elementary education for homeless children, as his project benefactor, building shelves and storage for the nonprofit organization’s “maker space.” When Hendee toured Positive Tomorrow’s school, the purpose and longterm impact of this room spoke to him.
Hendee spends 10 to 12 hours per week practicing, fine tuning those details in preparation for a few races each season. He’s found the greatest lesson learned through rowing applies to much more than athletics. “I can push myself a lot harder than I thought,” said Hendee. “The only way to get faster is to keep pushing yourself farther. Once you think you’ve gone all the way, you always have a little bit more.”
“I chose this room specifically because [the students] would be able to make something there that they could keep,” said Hendee. “The teachers said that was the kids’ favorite room, and I really connected with their mission there.” At-risk metro youth have been a focus of Hendee through other volunteer efforts, too.
48 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020
