USM Welcomes Speaker Arshay Cooper

University School of Milwaukee welcomed Arshay Cooper, a rower, award-winning author, speaker, and activist as the 2023 Cindy Zautcke Memorial Speaker on Thursday, Oct. 26. Cooper grew up on the west side of Chicago and, in 1997, joined the country’s first all-Black high school rowing team at Manley High School. He spoke to both Middle School students and Upper School students about how the experience changed his life. 

Cooper wrote an award-winning memoir that chronicles his high school rowing career, titled “A Most Beautiful Thing.” It was recently adapted into a film by the same name narrated by the Academy and Grammy award-winning artist Common, produced by former NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade and Grammy award-winning 9th Wonder, and directed by award-winning filmmaker and Olympic rower Mary Mazzio. The film won a Gracie Award and was named one of the best films of 2020 by Esquire. It was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award, for the International Press Academy Best Documentary, and the Critics’ Choice Association Best Sports Documentary.

Cooper also gave an evening presentation at the Milwaukee Rowing Club as part of his visit.

Cooper is the sixth Cindy Zautcke Memorial Speaker. Previous speakers have included Chris Norton and Deonte Lewis. 

The speaker series is sponsored by the endowed fund established in 2014 by gifts made in memory of Cindy Zautcke-Ostermeyer, who was an active member of the USM community and the parent of three USM students (now alumni).