Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, in the last few months, has become a name synonymous with honors. But the latest one might just be the cake. In 2021, Sydney had a track named after her in Columbia Park, but this time, the town celebrations hit a whole new level. As the clouds of Dunellen cleared up, Sydney stepped onto the field surrounded by her close family, friends, and the ones who helped her become the woman she is today.

Dunellen is not exactly a bustling metropolis. It is a quiet one-square-mile borough with a close-knit community. But Sydney McLaughlin’s iconic wins have put it on the map. The honors of the fast girl from Dunellen are piling up. She recently had another goosebumps moment at the University of Kentucky. Sydney, the ex-Wildcat, was inducted into the Kentucky Hall of Fame despite having spent only a year there. But nothing beats a hometown welcome, especially when it comes with a surprise!

The kind of surprise that left the crown in hysterics. So, what was the big reveal? It turns out Dunellen Mayor Jason Cilento had a little fun up his sleeve. He went on to reminisce about a comment he made three years ago when the track was named after Sydney. “At that ceremony, I joked we had no idea what we were going to do next,” Cilento began. “Other than possibly renaming the entire town after her.” Come 2024, the joke is back, and Syndey, being her unstoppable self, has won two more gold medals at the Paris Olympics and set her sixth world record.“So, surprise—we have officially renamed Dunellen.”

Could it be? Was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone about to have a town named after her? Cilento burst out laughing, clearing the air of confusion, and went on to say, “I’m just joking. That’s not breaking news. Renaming a town is actually pretty difficult, and I think we can all agree that we like the name Dunellen.” The punchline landed with a burst of laughter from the crowds. While renaming might be too far, Sydney did not leave empty-handed.

Instead of a new town name, Sydney received a key to the city, a beautiful plaque, and an honorary street name. Fairview Avenue is now, forever, a part of her legacy. If that did not feel enough, she also received a joint proclamation from Dunellen’s sister cities in Italy. To make the moment even more memorable, Sydney received a plaque honoring her proud parents, Willie and Mary McLaughlin.

It’s clear that the town of Dunellen and the world love Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Her family, her Union Catholic High School coach Mike McCabe, and even Olympians from the past like Barbara Friedrich and Elliott Denman turned up to celebrate her success. As the mayor wrapped up his speech, he looked out at the smiling faces and proudly declared, “Welcome home, Sydney. We are so proud of you.”

A homecoming to remember for Sydney

Sydney McLaughlin’s story is not just about her great wins on track or the medals she stacked. It is also about a community that stood behind her every step of the way. Brendan Tennant, her fourth-grade teacher at Faber Elementary, knows that better than anyone. He was one of many close to Sydney who spoke at the Vermont. “She was always giving encouraging words with a tremendous smile every single day,” Tennant said, reminiscing about Sydney’s early days.

Now the principal of Faber Elementary, Tennant, went on to talk about how Sydney inspires the next generation of Dunellen every day. “You’ve inspired countless young athletes in our small little town of Dunellen,” he told the crowd. “You’ve shown them that their backgrounds do not define their futures. You are proof that greatness can emerge from Dunellen.” Tennant proudly went on to say, “You said in an interview once, ‘I want to show others that their dreams are worth chasing. You’ve certainly done that, and we are all chasing our own dreams a little harder because of you.”

In a town of under 8,000 residents, that is a big impact. Towards the coda of the ceremony, Sydney’s homecoming was no longer about her accomplishments. It was a celebration of the girl who grew up racing down Dunellen’s streets, the daughter who made her parents proud, and the athlete who continues to inspire. The town may still be called Dunellen, but McLaughlinville doesn’t sound too far off, does it?