Nicole, Bianca, Executive Director Amanda Kraus, Emma, and Kass (L to R) at Blackstone Group L.P.
By Nicole Doyle
My name is Nicole Doyle and I am a rising junior at The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria. I first started on Row New York’s middle school team when I was in eighth grade and now I am a varsity member in the Flushing Meadow Park Boathouse.
A few of my teammates and I were asked by Youth I.N.C. to represent Row New York to a company, Blackstone, on Wednesday, August 28th. My teammate, Bianca Pickering, a rising senior at Queens Collegiate High School, and I were asked to present a slideshow about Row New York to employees of Blackstone and members of another organization, Minds Matter. Bianca Pickering and I practiced every Tuesday for three weeks before the presentation because we are so proud to be a part of Row New York and we wanted to make sure that it showed.
One of the three founders of Blackstone, Bennett Goodman, spoke to us when we first arrived at Blackstone. He told us about his education at Lafayette College and the path he took to get to where he is today. Then, he asked us a very peculiar question, “Do you think that you need to focus on your strengths or weaknesses?” I raised my hand for strengths because I believe you should work on what you are good at. However, Mr. Goodman changed my perspective and taught me something new when he explained that our strengths come naturally to us and they do not need to be focused on. He said we will get farther in life if we work on our weaknesses and are good in many things instead of great in a few things.
After a few other employees spoke to us, Bianca and I were put in the front of the large and fancy conference room to begin our presentation. I had the first line, which was nerve racking because all eyes looked at me first but once I started speaking the anxiety went away. Bianca and I took turns speaking about Row New York and she stumbled on a few words but I don’t believe anyone noticed and she recovered well. Bianca and I are really good friends inside and outside of the boathouse so our words flowed with each others and the presentation went very smooth and it seemed that everyone was very impressed. Bianca and I were really proud of ourselves and grateful for all of the opportunities that Row New York has given us.
Thanks to Youth I.N.C. for organizing this wonderful event, and thanks to Blackstone for hosting and giving us some insight into the world of finance.
