Editor’s note: This story, published at 1:11 p.m. Oct. 17, 2024, was updated at 5:44 p.m. to correct the total number of Olympic medals that Katie Ledecky has won.
Star swimmer Katie Ledecky returned to her alma mater, Bethesda’s Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, on Thursday for a celebration of her most recent Olympic achievements with Montgomery County officials and dozens of students and faculty.
“When we think about greatness, it’s not just the talent or success, it’s about character, dedication and the impact someone has on their community,” County Executive Marc Elrich said during Thursday’s ceremony on the athletic field at the private Catholic girls school. “Katie embodies all of those qualities, and we couldn’t be more proud to call her our own.”
Stone Ridge Head of School Catherine Ronan Karrels described Ledecky as a “model of perseverance and dedication,” noting her continuing support of current students.
“We have been blessed by a journey with Katie that has allowed us to participate in and bear witness to her growth as an athlete, a leader, a deeply caring member of the community and a representative of both our local community and our nation,” Karrels said.
The County Council presented Ledecky with a proclamation declaring Thursday to be “Katie Ledecky Day” as the crowd cheered. She also received a citation honoring her accomplishments from the Maryland General Assembly presented by District 16 Dels. Teresa Woorman and Sarah Wolek.
Katie Ledecky accepts state citation honoring her accomplishments with District 16 Dels. Teresa Woorman (left) and Sarah Wolek (right). 
Stone Ridge students and community members cheering for Ledecky. 
“It’s pretty neat to have a street named after me,” Ledecky told reporters after the sign was unveiled. 
Ledecky speaks at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart on Oct. 17. 
“Hopefully, anyone that drives by [the sign] will think of the work that I’ve put in and how much I love swimming … and hopefully, that can brighten their day when they drive by it and inspire them to reach for their goals,” Ledecky said.
Sporting a team jacket emblazoned with “USA” and wearing a gold medal, Ledecky, 27, said the support of her Montgomery County connections was a comfort and encouragement during the Paris games.
“I would look up in the stands, and I would see Stone Ridge T-shirts, I would see people from Little Flower, where I went to elementary school, I would see people that coached me on the Palisades Porpoises,” Ledecky told the crowd. “This is where I got my start. When I’m up on the podium, in my head I’m always thinking of all of you — the people who have been a part of my journey.”
County officials also unveiled a sign marking “Katie Ledecky Way” in front of the school on Cedar Lane.
“It’s pretty neat to have a street named after me,” Ledecky told reporters after the sign was unveiled. “Hopefully, anyone that drives by it will think of the work that I’ve put in and how much I love swimming … and hopefully, that can brighten their day when they drive by it and inspire them to reach for their goals.”
Ledecky, who grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Stone Ridge in 2015, has been one of the county’s shining stars since she won a gold medal at age 15 in the 800-meter freestyle in a stunning upset at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
Since then, Ledecky has continued to add to her medal count, winning her ninth gold and 14th overall during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, making her the most decorated female U.S. Olympian. She won the eighth gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle, her signature race that she hasn’t lost in 14 years.
“I just wanted to swim a time that I’m really happy with,” she told NBC after the July 31 race.
As Ledecky spoke to reporters, groups of Stone Ridge students gathered to watch, some in awe, others sharing giggles and high-fives.
“It’s humbling to be a role model for young girls and it’s something that I don’t take lightly. I was once that young girl who looked up to the big-time swimmers and Olympians and leaders in their community,” Ledecky said.
The moment Ledecky stepped away from media coverage, Stone Ridge students began to chant her name — “Katie! Katie! Katie!” — in excitement. Ledecky took time to take photos and chat with the girls.
After the Paris Olympics, Ledecky told MoCo360 she has been traveling around the country catching up with friends as well as attending and speaking at events. Now back home in Bethesda, she has been spending time with family. She’s also begun training again.
“I’ll head back to Florida next week to really get back into my routine,” Ledecky added. “So, I’m looking forward to that but really trying to let this past summer sink in a little bit and take a breather before I get back to work.”
Looking forward to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Ledecky said it “never gets easier” making it to the world stage but said she would be “thrilled” to compete in her home country.
“If I don’t end up competing, I’ll definitely be there in some capacity, but I really would love to be in the pool in L.A. and get that experience,” she said.
Ledecky was one of three Stone Ridge graduates who swam for the U.S. team in Paris. Phoebe Bacon graduated in 2020 and Erin Gemmell in 2023.
Ledecky’s swimming career started at the age of 6 at Palisades Swim & Tennis Club in Cabin John. She went on to attend Stone Ridge and would frequent Ize’s in Rockville, grabbing breakfast between early swim practices and high school classes. She later attended and swam for Stanford University, continuing to win medals and break records in the pool.
“It’s not some God-gifted natural ability; she’s not tremendously talented in any particular way,” Bruce Gemmell, Ledecky’s coach from Nation’s Capital Swim Club, told Bethesda Magazine last fall. “The success comes from her heart and her head and her wanting to compete and wanting to get better, and she wants to get better every day. The consistency of that is what sets her apart.”
MoCo360 Editor Julie Rasicot and freelancer Dawn Klavon contributed to this story.
