LYNN — The city of Lynn welcomed home one of its own in Olympian Rashida Ellis Wednesday afternoon, celebrating the boxer’s incredible accomplishments with a parade from her alma mater of English High School all the way to City Hall.
“It just feels so good to be home and it’s so incredible to see the kind of support that everyone in the city has been showing me all along,” said Ellis. “I haven’t been home since June 1, so it’s been pretty crazy with all the travel.”
The parade opened up on the steps of Lynn English, where family and friends gathered for a few minutes before an escort of the Lynn Police and Fire departments took off on its route to City Hall.
It then rolled down Chatham Street before stopping by her childhood home and then making the turn onto Essex Street, with crowds of people on both sides of the road cheering on their native Olympian.
Things came to a close at City Hall, where Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, City Council President Darren Cyr, state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Mayor Thomas M. McGee each said a few words before McGee presented Ellis with a key to the city to recognize her achievements.
“I remember coaching Rashida in basketball back when she was a freshman at English,” said Hogan. “That was at least until her boxing coach came in and told her no more basketball. It’s incredible to see what she’s accomplished since that freshman year, and we’re all so proud of her.”
“This is the first instance in my time as mayor that I’ve given anyone a key to the city, and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more,” said McGee. “Rashida has put Lynn up on the world stage, and she’s a gold-medal winner in our book.”
Ellis’ quest for Olympic gold came to an end last Thursday night, as the 26-year-old lightweight fell by a 3-0 split decision to Great Britain’s Caroline Dubois in a Round of 16 bout at Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. Among the five judges, three scored the fight a win for Dubois and two scored it as a draw.
But she says she’s not done yet. With another world championship set for October and the Paris 2024 games only three years away, there’s still plenty for Ellis to accomplish.
“I’m only home for a couple weeks, so I’m just going to enjoy my time here and then get back to work,” Ellis said.
She signed off from her speech on the steps of City Hall with four simple words.
“Paris, here I come,” Ellis said.
