Mount Snow Academy Annual Benefit 2017

1 Mount Snow Academy

Annual Benefit 2017

cocktails ~ carousing ~ canapes ~ fundraising

www.mountsnowacademy.org 2

Mount Snow Academy Annual Benefit 2017

cocktails ~ carousing ~ canapes ~ fundraising

Tonight’s Program:

6:30 Silent Auction Opens 8:30 Silent Auction Closes 8:40 Special Announcement and Presentation 9:00 Live Auction 9:45 Party Time!

Thank You to Our Supporters ...... 5 MSA Board of Directors ...... 9 Welcome from Our Head of School ...... 11 About the Academy ...... 13 About the Faculty ...... 14 Our Faculty ...... 16 About the Coaches ...... 20 Student Life at MSA ...... 22 About the Student-Athletes ...... 26 2016-2017 Students ...... 27 Jumpstart Program ...... 44 What is old, is new ...... 49 Mount Snow Academy: How it all works ...... 51

March 11, 2017 Grand Summit Ballroom

Mount Snow Academy • 248 Route 100 • West Dover, VT 05356 802-464-7669 • www.mountsnowacademy.org

We’d like to thank our Friends and Sponsors!

Gold Medalists ($5,000 and over)

Harry Byron Laura and Shawn Byron The Cooperstone Family Lori and Chris Croft The Hermitage Club Cynthia and Robert McHugh Melissa and Michael Messier Mount Snow/Peak Resorts Mount Snow Ski Club Kevin Ryan and Kristin Mumford Tito’s The Wolff Family

Silver Medalists ($1,500 - $4,999)

Isabelle and Craig Cohen Lori and Sean McHugh First Trax Mount Snow Sign Shop Jay Fluck Monica and Timothy Nadler Maureen and Jon Ford Anne and Richard Press Robert and Julie Girschek Paul and Kelly Verrochi Chris Hessart Mark and Erica Weiner James Lazor

Bronze Medalists ($500 - $1,499)

Jane Alexander and Graham Hill Ian Pouliot – Nemesis Photo Mark and Karen Amanti Brandon Rubles and Chris Fratkin – Susan and Pete Claudio Nomad Catering Equipe Sport Denise and Darren Parent Simone Gladstone Timbercreek NEFF

Friends of the Mount Snow Academy (up to $500)

Altiplano Josh Rothman Tom Anderson-Anderson Surf Camps The Saloon Martha and John Babitt Sam's Outfitters Bartleby's Bookstore Mike Sanders Beadnix Skull candy Bern Smith Bolle Shawn Smith Tommy Burke Snug Life Burton Rick St Jean Candle in the Night Sticky Fingers Chandlers Four Corners Ben Sullivan Anthony Corbo Robby Sullivan Dots of Dover Jay Switzer Dover Forge TC’s Tyler Duncan Timber Creek Folly Foods La Toscanella The Garden Center Randi Van Pelt Giro Vermont Teddy Bear Co Beth Goode The Village Roost Dave Gregory Zoar Outdoor High Country Snowmobiles Hildene Dean Jenard Ileana and James Kieffer Knot Just Shabby Michelle and Don Knuth Anne Lipvich Manchester Country Club Mangia e Beve Marisa Marlin Jim McGrath Melissa and David McNamara Michele's Nail Spa Mount Snow Naturespa Native Eyewear North Family Northshire Book Store Elizabeth and Todd Ormiston Tallu Pelletier Pret Karen and Dan Proscia Ratu’s Liquor Yvonne Rebak John Redd Renaissance Jewelry River Valley Market 8

Mount Snow Academy Board of Directors 2016-2017

Shawn Byron, Chairman, Westfield, NJ

Harry Byron, Wilmington, VT

Elliot Cooperstone, Westport, CT Chris Croft, New York City, NY Jay Fluck, Providence, RI Lori McHugh, Haddam, CT Michael Messier, Sherborn, MA Ryan North, West Dover, VT Rick Norton, Islip, NY Steven Wolff, Fairfield, CT

Peter Coffin, Ridgefield CT

Robert McHugh, Fairfield, CT From Shawn Byron I want to thank everyone for their support of Mount Snow Academy. Your commitment and hard work coupled with a stellar staff and devoted Board is what has made MSA the success we see today. The goal of MSA has always been to give our students an environment that allows them to explore the boundaries of their snow skills while carrying over that commitment and dedication to the classroom and community. All of this would not be possible without the dedication of the staff and coaches of MSA. They provide valuable inspiration and on-hill examples for the MSA student athletes and the rest of the competition programs. Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of watch MSA truly raise the bar for ourselves and our student athletes. The initial phase started last year with the hiring of a new head of school, Todd Ormiston. More recently we added a Director of Athletics, a Resident Director, new coaches and several new teachers. Concurrently, the Board began considering the desirability of converting to a new and larger campus. During this period, we carefully considered input from past and present Board members, other Ski Academies and local experts. Based on this analysis, the Board unanimously approved the purchase of the Matterhorn as the new MSA campus. We feel the new campus will allow for the expansion of the school, provide the appropriate classroom environment and enhance the training venue outside the on-snow sites of Mount Snow and the Hermitage. We are now heading into a new chapter of MSA. Over the past 37 years we have served more than 900 students who sought to develop their on-hill skills while maintaining enrollment with their home schools. Their dedication and desire has produced Olympic athletes, collegiate racers, professional competitors and successful students who have excelled in finance, science, education and the arts. To continue this success, and build out the school’s future, we will require support from all of you. Thank you again for your generosity as we embark on our new journey. In our evolving efforts, we hope to be able to make you proud and also serve and capture the hearts of new generations of this amazing school in the Deerfield Valley. Sincerely, Shawn Byron Board Chair

From the Head of School

Dear Friends of Mount Snow Academy,

Thank you for being a part of the celebration of Mount Snow Academy tonight. As we know, our student athletes have each made the decision to pursue a passion in winter sport competition. It is in recognition of their spirit that we are here tonight.

There is also another group who have chosen to commit part of their life’s work to supporting our student athletes’ pursuits. Our teaching faculty and coaches come to work each day with the mindset that they are each part of our student athletes’ future. This night is also about thanking and supporting the talented adults of Mount Snow Academy.

As you know, Mount Snow Academy has experienced an incredible amount of growth and change over the past twelve months. Since we were last together, we have grown from a student community of 24 to 38, moved into our fantastic new home at the former Matterhorn Inn and experienced phenomenal success in the gates, on the rails and on the jumps.

The achievement does not stop there. Every day, our student athletes are working hard in the classroom to meet their personal academic goals. They have each chosen the unique path of combining their passion for winter sports and academics. Though their commitment to personal excellence, our students are cultivating the important qualities of grit, commitment and independence. Mount Snow Academy remains true to its mission to help "young people develop a joy for learning, and respect for themselves and others, in academia, sports, and in personal and community relationships."

And, I must also thank the Annual Benefit's chairperson, Lori McHugh. She, along with our countless volunteers, have organized a very special night for the Academy.

As you enjoy this wonderful evening, please be assured that our school community appreciates the support each of you has given to the Academy.

Thank you,

Todd Ormiston Head of School

About the Academy

Fostering reliable independence through individual attention and community support.

An athlete in an individual sport, while counting on coaches and teammates for guidance and support, needs to perform independently, and needs to be the primary director of her or his own progress. The ability to direct one’s own learning is equally important in the academic and personal realms, where each person not only grows and competes, but also needs to be relied upon as a teammate, coworker, partner, friend, etcetera. Mount Snow Academy is organized to foster each student’s independence and reliability through individual attention and community support.

Our uniquely individualized system of instruction challenges students to direct their own learning, because each student takes a different class, from a different teacher, at a different school. They are ultimately responsible for returning to their school and rejoining a class without missing a step. Each student also has a different set of challenges and strengths on the snow, as well. The work they do here—setting goals, managing their time, taking advantage of their own strengths and working to improve on personal challenges—usually results in a better relationship with themselves as students and athletes, and improved performance.

The drive toward self-reliance is balanced with an environment that values and encourages active cooperation, caring and mutual support among students and staff. MSA teachers and coaches work together to help each student-athlete find that fine and very individual balance, which combines a focused academic life with rigorous training and competition expectations.

MSA’s mission is to offer a program that encourages students to become life-long learners, responsible decision- makers, and capable, contributing members of society, while helping them develop as competitive snow sport athletes. We expect our students to act with integrity as they become reliably independent in their intellectual, personal, and athletic growth.

About the Faculty

Faculty Brings Their Life Experiences to the Classroom There abides at MSA hundreds of years of collective experience, because we are a faculty diverse both in age and background. What makes us a strong team is that we all bring different perspectives to the table. For instance, there are some teachers here who can teach history just because they lived through it. Personal experience of any kind engages students. Learning is more interesting when you can tell stories and in this environment, you can tell more stories and make them relatable. Perhaps a Spanish teacher has traveled to a Spanish-speaking country. She/he has time to tell about that experience which makes the lesson real; the experience deepens the lesson and makes it more significant. This faculty is driven by passion for their subjects and inspiring the same passion in their students, thereby increasing their curiosity about the world. We, as faculty, must be flexible to meet the challenges of teaching several different curriculums as well as supplementing with our own resources. We are working within the constraints of the schedule, yet keeping the education rigorous. Our lessons often compare the then and the now, bringing students up-to-date on world events and helping them to make connections. There is a collegial atmosphere at MSA where students and teachers interact on many levels. Consider this: every Monday, students and educators meet to share snow stories, accomplishments, accolades, and school business. We learn from each other, and we learn about each other. At Mount Snow Academy, education is not just about knowledge, but also about wisdom.

About Us: Useless facts you may find interesting. Gerie Golet was in Alaska in 1987 working on the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. She lived on Perry Island in a tent for five weeks monitoring birds! Ned Pokras is a reformed paleo-oceanographer and has lived in Mexico, Venezuela and South Africa. Luella Strattner spent a summer studying geology in Italy. Ian Pouliot says that cameras, Subarus and snowboards are his mistresses. Cass Pastorelle worked on organic vegetable farms in Massachusetts and Vermont for three years. She learned something about life by attending to the birth and death of Nigerian Dwarf goats. Marcia Steckler is tougher than she looks. She plays goalie for a men’s hockey league and also plays with two women’s hockey leagues, the Brattleboro Riverhawks and the Greenfield Vipers. She also coached youth and Prep school hockey for seven years at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Hugh Joudry is our version of a Renaissance man. He recently had a wonderful exhibit of his sculptures at the Southern Vermont Art Center at the Wilson Museum. This included write-ups in the Southern Vermont Magazine for Arts and Living and in the magazine, "The Country and Abroad." Also at the Wilson Museum, poet and artist Terry Hauptman and Hugh gave talks to the public and schools such as MSA, Long Trail School, and Burr and Burton. Wayne Estey was an extra in a Chiller Channel horror movie, in which he helped carry a body into a creepy church. Janet Eldridge-Taylor’s father was in the 10th Mountain Division in WWII, and she began skiing when she was 2 years old. She skied in New Hampshire every winter and was about 14 years old when she first started skiing at Mount Snow. Alan Chitoff has a habit of meeting celebrities. His favorite story is when he met Johnny Depp in a bar in West Hollywood. Also, he remembers the time he rode down forty floors on an elevator with Bobby Orr. He was also a touring golf pro out of college.

Patricia Boerem is looking forward to an April trip to Spain where her daughter is studying abroad this semester. Meg Kluge used to be an archaeologist. She worked in Texas and Arizona as well as Peru. Janet Goldstein has played “old time” banjo for the last 30 years. Barbara Rice owned a 1965 Porsche 356 that she drove in Club rallies and events. Al Weisbrich has developed and patented an advanced wind power system technology, called WARP™ (Wind Amplified Rotor Platforms). It has been successfully researched, tested and vetted in association with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York State's Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) among others, and numerous independent reviews. He is looking for investors now. www.warp-eneco.com Jason Klump says that when he is not officiating either soccer or baseball, he is a big high school basketball and college hockey fan and follows Drury HS basketball in North Adams, MA and RPI Hockey. Roberta Stone is the designer of a unique jewelry item for jeans called Houjeanies. She has yet to be discovered on Shark Tank or appear on the morning talk shows, but hope springs eternal. Alex Knight is the author of speculative fiction (horror, sci-fi, and fantasy). Jennifer Razee has plans to adopt a child (a third-generation adoptee, as her mother and herself were adopted) and complete an anthology of her essays—not necessarily in that order. Tamara Allen is the daughter of ski racer Lena Gale. The apple didn't fall far from the tree; Tamara was Top 3 nationally ranked in Nastar and regionally ranked in the Mountain Dew Tour. The torch has now been passed onto her daughter, Elaina. Michael Landis has been teaching at Mount Snow Academy since 1992. He has also been facilitating the Brattleboro "Great Books" group since the early 1990's. He has been a frequent visitor to Cuba over the past 57 years. He lives with his wife, Leslie, in Guilford, VT, and has two grown daughters, Daphne and Dorothy. Anna Bean taught English, Global Studies, and Public Speaking this year at MSA. She is very happy to be back tutoring another lovely group of students and she continues to be impressed with her colleagues' wealth of knowledge. Kendy Slade left her native Australia to go to Africa, which she finally did, but then settled permanently in the US, including places like NYC, Alaska, Hawaii and Colorado. She says living in Vermont is her favorite place because she loves the fresh water, fresh air, space, and the variety of people. John Ogorzalek: has played the accordion since he was a young boy. Sunny Cyr: is in her first year teaching at MSA, but is also busy online tutoring students across the country who are preparing for the SAT and ACT. Aside from teaching, she spends her time building a small local business (unless it's dumping snow, in which case she is definitely skipping invoicing to go make some tele turns). Ken Kenworthy: attended The Culinary Institute of America and was an executive chef with Hilton Hotels. Nor a culinary amateur, he has not lost his love of food. Together, with his good friend, Pat Wilk, he has a blog called, “Justpeasandcarrots,” a collection of topical recipes and observations about the food world. Belle Coles: in another life wrote Cowboy Poetry and has recited it at Cowboy get-togethers in Arizona and Colorado. Kiki Messing: I’m the host mother of Iker, our resident exchange student from Donestia/ San Sebastian, Spain! Thanks so much for giving Iker an “experience within an experience.” I have seen Iker grow as an athlete and student. His parents at home are so proud of him as are we. Lynne Sullivan: loves the summer when there's time to entertain. “I love fun parties,” she says. Her house is always full, although She does take time to travel to auctions, many times with a most unwilling husband. Todd Ormiston: From a young age as a student athlete, collegiate alpine ski racer and soccer player and now teacher/coach/administrator, has always been connected to the pursuit of academic and athletic achievement. At MSA, he enjoys our small school atmosphere where he gets to know our students, share in their successes and sometimes even help out on the hill. After stops at Stratton Mountain School, Gould Academy and Sun Valley Ski Academy, he says he is lucky to share the MSA experience with his daughters, Maddox and Chase and an extremely supportive wife, Elizabeth. In their free time, his family enjoys exploring the outdoors; on the tops of mountains, at the beach and in the lakes of New England.

Our Faculty Allen, Tamara Coles, Belle VBA Social Media, Dover, VT M.S. Education, Canisius College, Buffalo, New York PR Course BCC Boston, MA B.A. Education, Loretto Heights College, Denver B.S. Marketing, SNH University, Manchester, NH Colorado. University Without Walls Program

Bean, Anna Eldridge-Taylor, Janet Ph. D New York University, Performance Arts School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA M.A. University of California, Los Angeles, Theater Continuing Ed Directing Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA B.A. Wesleyan, English, Educational Studies Continuing Ed M.A. (Art Education), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Behringer, Michael B.F.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA New York University, New York, NY

Courses toward a PhD in Math and Physics M.S. Lehigh University, Economics Estey, Wayne B.A. Lehigh University, Arts/Engineering Central Connecticut State University, B.A. Economics, High Honors Fordham University, Bronx, NY, M.A. Economics, Boerem, Patricia Honors M.Ed. in Secondary English, College of William & University of Connecticut School of Law, JD Mary, VA

B.A. in English and Psychology, University of Rochester, NY Goldstein, Janet TOEFL certificate, University of Pennsylvania, PA B.A., Psychology, Lyndon State College, VT Mediation Certificate, Woodbury College, Montpelier, VT Cyr, Sunny

B.A. in French, International Relations, Statistics from Bennington College Golet, Geraldine 30+hours advanced coursework in education, science, and administration Chitoff, Alan B.S. Elementary Education, Springfield College M.A., University of Virginia

M.F.A., University of Massachusetts

Joudry, Hugh Messing, Kiki Ph.D. Program in Analysis of Complex Variables B.S. International Relations (Topology), State University of New York at M.S. Resource Management and Administration Buffalo, Graduate Teaching Fellowship B.A. Mathematics major, Physics minor, State Ogorzalek, John University of New York at Buffalo M.S., Environmental Studies - Conservation Biology, B.S. Science Education, State University of New Antioch University New England, Keene, NH York at Buffalo B.S., Business, minor mathematics, Worcester Academic Grant for Sculpting at Johnson Atelier Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA

Kenworthy, Ken Pastorelle, Cass B.A. in Economics w/ classics minor, Colby College B.A. Spanish Language and Literature and A.S. in Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America Environmental Science, Tufts University

Kluge, Meg Pokras, Ned Graduate study in Higher Education Policy, Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Columbia University, University of Massachusetts at Amherst New York, NY M.A. Lesley University, Interdisciplinary Studies M.Phil., Geological Sciences, Columbia University Graduate study in Anthropology and Geography, M.S., Geology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, University of Texas at Austin WY B.A. History, Bates College, ME B.S., Geology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME

Klump, Jason Pouliot, Ian B.S. with distinction, University of Wisconsin, Hallmark Institute of Photography, Turners Falls, Economics MA

Knight, Alex Razee, Jennifer B.A. Literature and Writing, Union Institute and ABD in English, University of Florida University MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry), University of Florida Landis, Michael BA in British and American Literature, New College M.A. Great Books, St. Johns College, Annapolis, MD (Sarasota, Florida) B.A. English, University of Massachusetts at Boston

Rice, Barbara Strattner, Luella B.A. Social Relations, Windham College MTS, South Asian Religious traditions, Harvard M.S. Keene State College Divinity School B.A. Religion, University of Vermont Steckler, Marcia Ph.D., French, University of Massachusetts at Sullivan, Lynne Amherst Graduate study, University of Massachusetts at M.A., French, University of Missouri, Columbia Amherst B.A., French, Smith College B.A. English, Regis College, Weston, MA

Stone, Roberta Weisbrich, Alfred M.Ed University of Bridgeport M.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Rensselaer B.S. SUNY, New Paltz, Education Polytechnic Institute M.S., Management/Business Administration, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Professional Engineer (PE) certification B.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

About the Coaches

Dave Gregory, Director of Athletics and Recruitment Dave Gregory is a year round ski coach with more than 35 years of experience. He keeps abreast of the latest rules and regulations of the governing bodies—USSA, and FIS—while maintaining relationships with many national coaches and ski equipment manufacturers. Dave has served on various committees in USSA/East including the Development Committee and the Alpine Coaches Council. Dave was named the 2005 NH Alpine Coach of the Year and he led the Mt Washington Valley Ski Team to the 2012 USSA Alpine Club of the Year award. Dave is currently the Director of Athletics and Recruitment at Mount Snow Academy. He is the former Progam Director of the Mt Washington Valley Ski Team. Former Head Women’s Alpine Coach, Dartmouth College. Former Program Director, Holderness School. Former Assistant Head Coach SDSA Coronet Peak, New Zealand. USCSA and PSIA certified. He has coached numerous athletes to the US Ski Team, including multiple NCAA and USCSA All-Americans. Dave is most proud of installing a lifelong passion for the sport of skiing in his athletes. Over 90% of his athletes have gone on to ski in college at some level.

Ben Sullivan, Head Alpine Coach As a young ski racer, Ben attended the weekend Competition Program at Mount Snow. Later, at Deerfield Academy, he balanced Eastern Cup racing under the tutelage of former Canadian Ski Team coach Jean Francois (JF) Belanger with interscholastic racing. He trained for a post-graduate year at MSA before joining the Middlebury College Ski Team. He interned under former French Ski Team member Isabelle Fabre, became assistant head coach at Mount Snow Academy, and assumed the Head Coach position in 2005. At MSA, Ben has coached beginners through Eastern Junior 3 Olympic champions, as well as competitors at the Tropheo Topolino, the Whistler Cup, and the British National Championships in Meribel, France. Off-season Ben has directed MSA’s training camp at El Colorado, Chile and last summer in New Zealand.

Shawn Smith, Alpine Coach Shawn Smith has been a member of the PPSC staff since 1985. He has been the Head Alpine U-16 Coach for Mount Washington Valley Ski Team since 2010. Shawn’s experience also includes: Director of Resort Services, Stevens Pass Resort, WA August, 2002-2010. Director of Ski/Snowboard Education, Racing and Events, Copper Mountain, CO. Director of Training, Copper Mountain, CO. Professional Ski Instructors of America: National Alpine Demonstration Team, Assistant alpine team coach, Alpine team coach, Staff member of PSIA National Academies. Shawn has been an Associate/Guest Coach for the U.S. Ski Team and is a USSA Level 400 certified coach. Shawn is currently the Head U 16/19/FIS Coach at Mount Snow Academy.

Tommy Burke, Head Snowboard Coach Tommy started coaching/instructing snowboarding at Mount Snow in 2002. He worked with all levels of riders from instructing first timers to coaching athletes through their Slope Style runs at the US Open. He has been a coach for the weekend programs at Mount Snow and also has experience as a private coach. In addition, Tommy helped build an elite program and has overseen multiple programs as head snowboard coach of Sierra at Tahoe. Tommy joined Mount Snow Academy as a snowboard coach in 2014. He currently holds the following accreditations: Level II AASA certification, Level 300 USASA coach and Level A judge. Over the course of numerous summers, he was a skateboarding instructor at Woodward. Tommy is also passionate about nutrition; he interns at organic farms in the summertime. When he is not working as a volunteer on an organic farm, you will find Tommy out surfing.

Anthony Corbo, Snowboard Coach Anthony started instructing at Mount Snow in 2006 at Mtn. Riders teaching all levels, focusing more on park after the first year. In 2008, he started coaching for the Mount Snow Comp Team on the weekends while continuing to teach at Mtn. Riders. During this time also started competing in multiple events, from local rail jams, slope styles, and big airs to USASA Nationals (Open Class), Rev Tours, and other higher tier competitions. In 2012, he started working at Woodward Copper where he continued to coach on snow during the winter as well as the summer at camps in June-July held right on Copper Mountain. During this time, he also gaining valuable knowledge of trampolines and air awareness at Woodwards facility at the base of Copper. In the past, he has been sponsored by Never Summer ('11-'12) and Echelon Snowboards ('12-'14) as well as being a member of Carinthia's C-Team in 2010-2011 with a part in the first movie "C: The Movie". Since 2014 he has been sponsored by Rossignol Snowboards. He currently has a Level 1 AASI Certification and is a Level 200 USASA coach. When not snowboarding in the summer, he also works as a Stage Technician and Rigger in the Local 77 I.A.T.S.E., setting up for concerts and other types of entertainment.

Robby Sullivan, Head Freeski Coach Robby came to the MSA family with a lifetime of competitive experience, and has spent over a decade as a competitive coach. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the freeski program having worked with athletes of all levels from beginner level free skiers, to World Cup level athletes, including professional media based athletes. He strives to produce one of the most competitive free ski programs in the country and looks forward to continuing to follow his passion developing young athletic talent here at Mount Snow Academy.

Tyler Duncan, Freeski Coach Tyler Duncan joined MSA in 2016 as a free ski coach. Growing up in the White Mountains it’s no surprise Tyler was introduced to skiing at the age of two. He quickly grew an interest in alpine racing and shortly after made the switch to freestyle at 9 years old. Tyler began competing all over the country throughout middle and high school. In 2011, Tyler became a pro skier competing in contests such as the Dew Tour, Gatorade Free Flow Tour, and The Northface opens. Alongside competing at a professional level Tyler took interest in the film and photo side of the sport filming with companies such as Meathead Films/Ski The East, STEPT, and many other smaller production companies. Tyler also has a passion for film and photography himself, taking college level photo and film classes thought high school. He is very excited to be on board and spread his knowledge and passion of freestyle skiing

Student Life at MSA

Student life at Mount Snow Academy is busy and lots of fun. The academic and residential programs have undergone an enormous transition this year as the school moved its base to the Matterhorn Building on Route 100 where boarding students enjoy comfortable rooms (each with a private bathroom), and delicious, healthy meals cooked by chefs Brandon Ruble and Chris Fratkin. Day and boarding student alike share the common areas to sit by the fire, do homework, meet with teachers or just hang out.

The Great Room is the center of student life. Here a wood stove surrounded by sofas is watched over by the giant camel, Humphrey. This comfortable, homey room is representative of the atmosphere at MSA. It is cozy and busy at the same time. Students, teachers and coaches are constantly passing through on their way to meals, classes and training sessions. There is even a weekly Yoga class held in the Great Room, and occasional musical performances.

Boarding at MSA is both fun and challenging. Students are expected to act as working members of the community. The house parent works with the students to create a safe, comfortable atmosphere where students feel cared for and at the same time learn self- sufficiency in a group living environment. The students have chores, after breakfast and dinner, and study hours are strictly enforced on school nights. After study hours the students often hang out in the Great Room or in the basement where they can play ping pong, watch TV or watch movies on a big screen. Lights out is at 10:30.

MSA emphasizes a comprehensive lifestyle conducive to personal, intellectual, and athletic growth. If you are up to the challenge of counting yourself among serious student/athletes who love what they do— MSA could be your home too.

Brandon and Chris are Seasonally inspired catering chefs and snowboarders who joined Mount Snow Academy to help further the meal plan at the school. They focus on a protein rich diet with plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Their goal is to create healthy, flavorful dishes that will help the student athletes perform at a high level.

Dorm Rules by Amanda DeMaria ~House Parent

Thou shall respect thy neighbor as thy family, and refrain from unkind or covetous behavior. (Thou shalt not foul the air with unkind blasphemies and other dirty words.) Thou shall keep thy room reasonably tidy. (Thou shalt not obstruct thy walk space with unwashed vestments nor allow strange cultures to fester beneath thy unruly possessions.) Thou shall maintain cheerful aspect when put upon to participate constructively in the community. (Thou shalt not shirk thy responsibility to thy fellow man (and woman) by sneaking off before thy task is complete.) Thou shall observe most wholesome behavior in the realm of sustenance preparation and consumption. (Thou shalt not tread unshod upon the holy ground of these delicious areas even if your name is Pete, nor shall thou partake of food nor drink upon pristine cinereal sofas.) Thou shall observe peace and grave academic demeanor between the hours of 7 and 9 pm. (Thou shalt not scream. Thou shalt not scream. Thou shalt not scream... nor giggle uncontrollably in the face of algebra, world history, quantum physics and so on.) Thou shall observe the hours of repose to prepare thyself for peak slope- side performance.

If thou art unable by virtue of some calamitous spirit to maintain these sane and comfortable standards thou shall be deprived of sleep and dignity. Thou shall rise upon the first crowing to sweat and grimace with me as we prepare the morning meal or scrub icky goo off the kitchen radiators. Should thee refuse, thou shalt not ski nor snowboard during a full rotation of the earth as it sails gently about the heat yielding bless-ed orb.

About the Student-Athletes

MSA student athletes are unique. Not only do they develop their individuality and personality while enrolled, their athletic determination rises to a completely new level. Each week at the all school Monday morning meeting, the athletes report on their accomplishments from their weekend performances. Whether they make it to the podium, accomplish a new trick, or have a “character building run”, all present appreciate the athletes’ efforts. As teachers will attest, “we watch the students excel not only in their academics but on the hill as well.” MSA contributes to teaching students self-discipline, time management, and the importance of setting and achieving goals. Students move on from MSA having been exposed to these attributes (to perfect them is a lifelong task). Most have exceeded the expectations of their personally set goals.

The logical next step is college, with some continuing to race for NCAA and USCSA teams. Many have pursued bachelor and advanced degrees in math, science, technology, languages, and the arts. Some still choose to follow their dreams based on a lifelong passion in the snow sports industry and have gone on to:

o Represent companies (promoting their products) o Create movies o Compete in X-Games/Grand Prix/Dew Tour o Partner in company ownerships o Coach, with some returning to Mount Snow and MSA

MSA athletes pursue a rigorous physical development program. Coaches design a wide variety of dry-land and trampoline workout regimens that are incorporated into the daily on-hill training schedule. By implementing a comprehensive goal achieving, integrated physical program, our staff instills in the student-athletes’ confidence and self-assurance while building strong and healthy bodies and minds.

MSA athletes’ academic program is equally demanding and stimulating. These athletes not only delve deeply into subject areas, but also develop skills in public speaking, team building, and self-discipline thus building individual confidence. MSA recognizes academic achievement with our “Academic Podium.” To reach the podium students must earn A's and only one B+ is allowed.

Our student-athletes are congenial and vibrant. They like each other; they motivate themselves and others; they strive for MSA's success as much as for their own individual triumphs. Let’s celebrate another year in which our kids are as ambitious academically as they are on the snow and in the air.

2016-2017 Student-Athletes

Patrick Byron Grade 7 Alpine Racer Westfield, NJ

My name is Patrick Byron and I am a seventh grader from Westfield, New Jersey. In the fall and spring, I attend Roosevelt Intermediate School where I enjoy playing lacrosse on the A team and competitive golf. However, my real passion is skiing! This is my first full year at Mount Snow Academy, and I am in the alpine ski program. Last year I did the Jump Start program which was amazing because I could ski every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now, I get to live in Vermont and ski every day! I was born in Japan, moved to London when I was two, and then moved to New Jersey at age four. I have been skiing since I could walk. My dad went to Mount Snow Academy and encouraged my sister Ashley and me to ski. I feel MSA has helped me flourish in academics as well as in skiing. I am ahead in most of my subjects because learning one-to-one with my teachers is beneficial. I look forward to making a strong finish to the ski season with the help and support of our great coaches Ben, Shawn, Brian, & Dave.

Olivia Deakins Grade 7 Alpine Racer Dobbs Ferry, NY

Hello, my name is Olivia Deakins and I just started a two week trial at MSA. I am an alpine skier, and I came to MSA to see how I like it. So far, I love it! When I’m not here, I live in Dobbs Ferry, New York with my two little sisters, one little brother, my parents and my dog Daisy. I go to the Dobbs Ferry Middle School right in the middle of Dobbs, and I like to travel. Last summer I spent two weeks China. Other than skiing, I like to play lacrosse, golf and soccer. I play lacrosse on the House of Sports team. It is a club team in Ardsley. I started devo at Mount Snow when I was eight. The parent/child races were really fun and I started to like ski racing. Since then, I have been on the Hermitage race team for three years. I wanted to try MSA because I heard the coaches were really good and we would get to ski six days a week. The coaches here at MSA give great advice on how to improve. We also do core and dry land training every Tuesday and Thursday. It is helpful because you need to strengthen your core to be a good skier. Skiing six days a week has made a huge difference and the teachers are very good. Hopefully next year I will be able to come back for the full program.

Justin Lueders Grade 7 Freeskier Stamford, CT

Hi my name is Justin Lueders. I am a freestyle skier, and I'm 12 years old. I’m from Stamford CT. This is my first year at Mount Snow Academy and I love it already. I am American, Irish and Italian. I came to MSA to try to take my freestyle skiing as far as possible. I play baseball, and used to play football and wrestle. I have given up those sports to pursue my skiing career. I like being able to ski six days a week. It is very hard work, but it's like the job you’ve always wanted. The schooling has brought my grades up a lot. The one-on-one classes have helped me focus and get better grades. MSA has also helped me progress in skiing so much. It has benefited my performance in competition. I’ve been skiing since I was 4 years old. I started freestyle skiing when I was 8 and started competing at 10. My goal this year is to get top five in Nationals, and I feel like MSA has helped me make this possible.

Hailey Rebak Grade 7 Alpine Racer Franklin Lakes, NJ

Hello, my name is Hailey Rebak and I just started at MSA. I am from the northern part of New Jersey, Franklin Lakes. I have two brothers, a dog, and my mom and dad. Back home I go to a school called FAMS, which stands for Franklin Avenue Middle School. I have lots of friends back home and was sad, at first, to leave them behind. Yet now I have made so many friends here that it feels kind of like another home. Other than skiing, I play soccer, tennis, and paddle, and I am ranked third in the nation in paddle. I am an alpine racer and I will only be here for a month. I took an interest in skiing a few years ago, and thought it would be a good idea to try MSA because I would get to ski six days a week. For the past three years, I have been skiing for the Hermitage race team on the weekends, but I came here because I knew I would get more time on the snow. Also, here at MSA I get one-on-one instruction on and off the hill and that is a huge help academically and ski wise. Every Tuesday and Thursday we do dry-land training and on Wednesdays we do yoga. All this exercise helps a lot when getting your body in shape for skiing. The coaches Ben, Shawn, and Dave are very helpful when we practice. For example, when we train on a course we say our name into a walkie-talkie at the top of the run and they report back stating what we need to work on to improve. These little things help me improve so much and help me become a better skier. I am enjoying MSA this month and am in the middle of making a decision about next year.

Tristan Cohen Grade 8 Snowboarder East Quogue, NY

I have been snowboarding since I was four years old. I started riding park last year and I have been riding at Mount Snow ever since I started snowboarding. This is my second year at MSA, and I love it. I play soccer during the other three seasons on my school team and on a travel team. Soccer is my favorite sport, but snowboarding is just as awesome. Throughout my time here at MSA, I have improved so much because of my encouraging and motivational coaches, Tommy Burke and Anthony Corbo (or “Cro”). I came into this season unsure about whether I even wanted to compete, so I started off in MSA Media, a photo and editing program run by Tyler Redes. I absolutely love this program, but after coming back from a snowboarding trip in Colorado, I found a new passion for snowboarding and started competing a lot. I got great results and decided to try and qualify for USASA Nationals. I have qualified for slopestyle and am trying to get into rail jam. The academics at MSA are great. The one-on-one classes allow students to get ahead of their classes and understand material easier and quicker. I can stay on a topic until I understand it, and then we can move on. The teachers are understanding and adaptive to students’ academic strengths and weaknesses, and our likes and dislikes. For instance, I love art and music, and my teachers try to incorporate them into my classes. Mount Snow Academy has given me so many opportunities, and the teachers and coaches have pushed me to be the best student athlete I can be. For example, I love that for dryland training, we not only work out, but we also go to Woodman’s, a gymnastics facility. We use this facility to practice tricks that we then hopefully can bring onto snow. I have absolutely loved my time here at MSA! Charlotte Croft Grade 8 Alpine Racer New York, NY

Hi my name is Charley Croft, I’m in eighth grade, I’m from New York City, and I am an alpine ski racer. This is my second year of Mount Snow Academy and I am so happy to be back. It has been very different from last year, but the changes that have been made are incredible. The new campus has been a great advantage and it feels amazing to have classes just down the hall from my dorm. The new coaches, Dave and Shawn, have been very supportive and their coaching is very helpful. Whether we’re training gates or just free skiing, I know I am always becoming a better racer thanks to all of the coaches’ help. I have learned a lot from being at MSA for two years. I learned a lot about being independent. Although you have so many people that you can rely on for help, you learn a lot about being responsible. I’ve learned to always try and help the community I’m in. This could mean picking up some garbage left out or just helping your friend with some homework. No one is telling you to do these things, you just learn to do them because it benefits everyone. By doing my weekly job I know that I’m helping towards having a better community which is important to me. I am very thankful for having the Matterhorn as a place to call my school and my home. Amanda, our house mom, has influenced a lot of us to help our community become better. When I’m not skiing I am playing softball, swimming, doing homework, or hanging out with my friends and family. My goal for this year is to make it to states and have a great performance there. I know if I train well, and with the help of my amazing coaches I can achieve this goal.

Erin McHugh Grade 8 Alpine Racer Fairfield, CT

My name is Erin McHugh. From Fairfield, Connecticut, I am 13 years old and in the 8th grade. I have been alpine racing for 4 years. I have always loved skiing, and the thought of skiing six days a week caught my attention when my parents told me about MSA. This is my first year full-time at Mount Snow Academy; last year I was a part of the Jumpstart Program. I noticed how great the coaching was, and I heard terrific things about the school academically so I decided to try it out. I enjoy the one-to-one teaching. The schooling is more personalized. When I already know something, we can go right through it rather than waiting for a whole class to “catch up”. MSA has taught me to be independent. I have had to learn how to manage my time between skiing and school, which will be very helpful to me in the future. Before I came to MSA, I was a little bit nervous but I knew I would have a great time with all of my friends. Living here for the first time at the new school has been a great experience. The food is terrific, and living with my friends is enjoyable.My goal for this year is to be on the academic podium for both quarters. Aside from skiing, I have many other interests. In the summer I sail, swim and play tennis, competitively. In the fall I run cross country, and all year round, I Irish dance.

Riley McHugh Grade 8 Alpine Racer Haddam, CT

My name is Riley McHugh, and I live in Haddam, Connecticut. This is my second year at Mount Snow Academy and it’s my fourth year alpine racing. Last year, I asked my parents if I could attend Mount Snow Academy because I wanted to take my skiing to the next level. In order to achieve this, I would need to ski more than twice a week. So far, my experience at Mount Snow Academy has been amazing! Being able to ski six days a week helps me progress at a much faster rate, and the one-to-one teaching helps me understand my lessons in greater depth than I would have in my other school. In addition to going digging deeper into each of my academic areas and skiing every day with great coaches, I have also learned responsibility, such as doing my own laundry, making my own lunch, and making sure my schoolwork is done to the best of my ability. Living at the Academy is great. Chris and Brandon are the best cooks ever, and I love having Nicole as my roommate: it feels like a sleepover every night! I am also very lucky, because my mother is able to commute from Connecticut to Vermont and she takes me and my friends at the Academy out to dinner once in a while. My goal for this season is to go to CanAms and with the help of my coaches Shawn, Dave, Ben, and Brian I believe I can achieve that goal. When I am not skiing, I am either playing field hockey, watching Gilmore Girls, running track and field, working out, or hanging out with my friends.

Julia McNamara Grade 8 Alpine Racer Chatham, NJ

Hi, my name is Julia McNamara. I am in eighth grade, I’m an alpine skier and I am from Chatham, New Jersey. This is my first year at Mount Snow Academy. I have been skiing since I was four, and then I had skied for two years with Mount Snow Training Center when I realized I wanted to take ski racing to the next level. I was psyched to get to ski six days a week here at MSA. The coaching is amazing. Ben, Shawn, Brian, and Dave all work so hard all the time. They give specific feedback that helps everybody improve their skiing. I have become more fearless and confident when I ski. Everybody on the team is so supportive! I have definitely benefited from all the skiing and noticed how much I’ve improved. I have learned so many new things since the first day I got here, it’s incredible. I am ahead in most of my classes, which is great because I was worried about being behind. All the teachers work hard to make sure you understand the topic you are learning. I enjoy the one-on-one tutoring, since the teachers are able to focus on what you are having trouble with; or, if you completely understand what you've been taught, then you can move on to the next subject. These past four months have taught me to be more independent; I never realized how important being independent was until I got here. I also made so many new friends. I knew only one person when I came, and now I am surrounded by supportive, encouraging friends. When I am not skiing I'm playing lacrosse, field hockey, or tennis. I also love to travel and cook. You can usually find me with friends or family. My goals this year are to make academic podium and go to shootouts/states.

Allison Messier Grade 8 Alpine Racer Sherborn, MA

Hi, My name is Alli Messier, and I am in 8th grade. I am from Sherborn, Massachusetts, and I’m an Alpine skier. I have been skiing since I was two, and have always loved being in Vermont and being out on on the slopes. This is my first year coming full time to the Academy, and my fourth year racing. Last year I was in the Jump Start program, which was just skiing Friday through Sunday. I had heard great things about the academics and coaching at Mount Snow Academy which made me really want to go full time and be able to make my skiing ability the best it can be. This year I began my training out in Mount Hood, OR over the summer, and then went to train in Copper Mountain, CO with the rest of the Alpine team over Thanksgiving break. Being able to ski six days a week whether it’s in gates or doing drills outside of the course has helped me become a much better racer and all around skier. The coaches and my other teammates have pushed me this year on and off the slopes to be the best athlete possible. The one to one teaching style at Mount Snow Academy has been great and has allowed me to train more than I have in the past, and yet keep up with all my classes back in Massachusetts. When I am not skiing, I enjoy playing lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, and golf.

Chase Ormiston Grade 8 Alpine Racer West Dover, VT

Hi, my name is Chase Ormiston and I am an alpine skier. I have been skiing since I was two years old, starting at Stratton where I lived until I was four. Then I moved to Sunday River, Maine. After six years in Maine, an amazing opportunity to move out to Sun Valley, Idaho was offered and my family jumped at the chance to live somewhere new and exciting. After two years of living out there, we moved back to our home ground, Vermont. This is my second year at Mount Snow Academy and I'm really enjoying it. Last year I achieved my goal of earning a spot at the state championships. This convinced me that my skiing had improved. This year we have new coaches, Dave and Shawn who have really been helping me with my skiing and they have made me feel more confident with my performance. This season has been going pretty well and I am looking forward to more great skiing from myself and my teammates. This year is different from last year because I have moved up an age group and I am now one of the youngest racers in my age group. This is challenging because I'm racing against people who are way bigger and stronger than me. This year instead of trying to make it to championship events, I just want to feel satisfied with how I skied and not care about the results. Ski racing is such a mental sport and I think that Mount Snow Academy has surrounded me with people who are supportive. On the academic side, I love the one-to-one classes. I learn a lot better without any other distractions. The classes here really feel more personalized. We can work a lot faster and focus on aspects of the subject that interest me. This school is really beneficial to my skiing, as well as to my academics.

Peter Proscia Grade 8 Alpine Racer Chatham, NJ

Hi, I’m Pete Proscia. I am 14 years old and live in Chatham, New Jersey. I am an alpine racer. This is my first year at Mount Snow Academy, and my first year ski racing. MSA is the best experience I have gone through in my whole life. Not only do I get to take skiing, something I love, to a different level, I’m also exposed to a whole new environment. I had never lived in a dorm before, which was really cool for me. Living away from home taught me valuable life lessons, such as responsibility and time management. Also, the fact that the learning is one-to-one really helped my academics. While at my home school, the teacher waits for an additional twenty-five students, here my teachers can progress through topics much quicker. Being on-snow six days a week gives me the opportunity to work and improve my skiing nearly every day. With the help of coaches Dave, Brian, Ben, and Shawn, I have already greatly improved my skiing and have adapted to a whole new type of skiing. In addition to skiing six days a week, however painful it may be, dryland training will put me in better shape for lacrosse season in the spring. All in all, Mount Snow Academy has already benefitted me, and will leave a positive impact on my life.

Ashley Byron Grade 9 Alpine Racer Westfield, NJ

My name is Ashley Byron, and this is my first year at Mount Snow Academy. I am in ninth grade and I live in Westfield, New Jersey. I started to ski when I was two years old and my parents took me out on the slopes of Mt. Arai, Japan. I have been in love with the sport ever since. I was part of the MSA jumpstart program last year, and I have been ski racing for five years. I am super excited to have the opportunity to attend Mount Snow Academy full- time. When I found out I was going to MSA, I knew I would have to work hard on and off the hill. Being able to ski six days of the week is amazing! With the help of my ski coaches, Shawn, Dave, and Ben, I have been able to improve my skiing a lot this year. My favorite discipline is Giant Slalom. Off the slopes I have benefited tremendously from all my classes being one-to-one. All my teachers are very dedicated and help me keep on track with the curriculum from home. Even though the learning environment is very different from my home school, I have adapted well at MSA. I especially like the Monday morning meetings because I see all the athletes and learn how everyone performed during the week. Outside of ski racing I enjoy playing soccer on my school team, waterskiing, and golfing. My experience at MSA has been unbelievable, and I hope to come back next year.

Charles Coffin Grade 9 Alpine Racer Ridgefield, CT

My name is Charlie “Chip” Coffin. I am a 14-year old 9th grader from Ridgefield, CT. This is my second year as a full-time Mount Snow Academy student. Ever since I started going to MSA last year, I have enjoyed every second of it. I also love having the great opportunities to travel the world and go to places like New Zealand! My teachers are fantastic and make learning fun. Having one-on-one classes is truly exceptional for my academic inclination. As for my skiing, it has improved immensely having Dave, Brian, Ben, and Shawn as my coaches. Not only are they a great help on the snow, they are also fun to be around. The new campus at the former Matterhorn Inn is a great new housing space for the academy. I have enjoyed being around Amanda who does a great job as the house mom. When I’m off the hill I enjoy playing soccer and going fishing. Overall Mount Snow Academy has been a great learning experience for both my skiing and my academic abilities.

Derek Conti Grade 9 Snowboarder Stratton, VT

Hi, my name is Derek Conti and I’m a snowboarder. I am 14 years old, from Stratton, Vermont, and this is my second year at Mount Snow Academy. I like MSA a lot because I can snowboard almost every day and still complete the academics I need to learn. The one-on-one teaching helps me stay focused and on track in all my classes. The coaches are great, too; they’re experts in the sport, and we have close relationships with each other. Snowboarding at one of the premier mountains on the east coast helps me progress quickly. Two of my mains goals this year are to rank high at Nationals in Colorado and to attempt bigger spins. My favorite part is the environment of the school. I’m never bored; when have I free time I can play Mario kart, ping pong, make edits on the mac computer, or snowboard the hike park outside. When the snow melts, you’ll find me at the nearest pond or lake fishing. I also enjoy skateboarding in the summer and hanging out with friends near the beach. I like MSA a lot and I’ve progressed fast throughout the years here.

Sophia Press Grade 9 Alpine Racer Tenafly, NJ

My name is Sophia Press and this is my second year at Mount Snow Academy. This year will be my fourth year competing as a ski racer. I am 15 years old and have been skiing since I was three years old. This past summer I attended training camps for the second time in both Mt. Hood, Oregon and Copper, Colorado. I have worked on my confidence and strength in the off season, in training camps and in my time back at Mount Snow Academy which has enabled me to ski faster and with better tactics and technique. I want to continue to take advantage of being able to ski and train almost everyday. This season I want to qualify for the U-16 Championships. I also want to translate my training into races without having my nerves get in the way of my performance. The skiing however, is not the only great part about MSA. The one to one instruction in my classes is very beneficial for me as a student because I learn better in this kind of environment. I find the material to be catered to me and I am far more focused during my classes. This is my first year living at the school in the new building and so far, it has been great. Our house mom, Amanda, makes sure that we do all of our school work as well as have fun. Our chefs Chris and Brandon continue to impress me each night with their outstanding dinners. Mostly I like being around my friends every day and night with never a dull moment to be had. When I am not training, I enjoy spending time with my friends as well as my family. I also enjoy spending time in Martha’s Vineyard with my friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here at Mount Snow Academy. I am able to improve my skiing every day, getting closer to my goal of being the best ski racer I can be.

Nicole Van Pelt Grade 9 Alpine Racer Wilton, CT

Hey! My name is Nicole Van Pelt, and this is my second year at Mount Snow Academy. Although it is also my second year of ski racing, I have been skiing since I could walk. I was very excited to start my ski-racing career here. This season I want to be able to focus more on improving my ski-racing abilities and become the best skier I can be. I have been able to improve my skiing a lot because I get to train six days a week. In addition, I got the opportunity to go out west for the second time when we went to Colorado in November. Since I arrived at MSA I have earned better grades than I did when I left my home school. The one to one atmosphere allows me to focus more on my school work. I have been able to make new friends during my time here, and I have the best time living at the academy with my second family. Although I don't get the opportunity to see my parents every day like some other kids do, living at the academy has made me more independent in all aspects of my life. I have the best time with my roommate Riley. She has helped me in many ways, from pushing me to be a better skier to pushing me to get through my homework. Everyone at the academy makes me feel safe, and I am grateful to have them living with me. Besides skiing I also play tennis. I want to become the best skier/student I can possibly be, and MSA can help me achieve that.

Jack Armbruster Grade 10 Snowboarder West Dover, VT

I'm Jack Armbruster and I was born in Brooklyn, New York. My family and I moved to West Dover, Vermont last year so I could get a better chance at snowboarding. I go to Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont. This is my first year as a full-time MSA student and I'm loving it. My goals are to qualify for the Revolution Tour and travel around the world with my sponsors making movies. The coaches at MSA are great. The academics are also helping me with school because of the one-to-one aspect. When I'm not snowboarding, I like to skate with my friends. I had to start this season a month late because of an injury, but every day I'm overcoming the injury. I'm stoked to see how the rest of the season goes.

Jonathan Claudio Grade 10 Snowboarder New Paltz, NY

My name is Jonathan Claudio. I was born in Pine Bush, New York and now I live in a town called New Paltz. I started snowboarding when I was 8 years old because my cousins started and I wanted to be just like them. So, I started doing everything they did including snowboarding. This is my first year at MSA. I think it's one of the best places to be because I have the opportunity to ride every day and to keep up with my school work. I like the one-to- one teaching set-up because all of my MSA teachers have a strong awareness of what I’m am doing and how I’m progressing. That does not ever happen in large classes. The coaching is awesome and helps me be more consistent with riding.

Taylor Cummings Grade 10 Freeskier Williamstown, MA

Hi my name is Taylor Cummings. I am a freestyle skier, and I am 16 years old. I am from Williamstown Massachusetts and this is my first year at MSA. MSA has helped me progress in my skiing and school. The one on one teaching has helped me with school, it makes it so you have to pay attention. The freestyle skiing coaches here are amazing. They know how to push you to your limits without breaking you. My experience with MSA has been amazing.

Zachary Ferry Grade 10 Freeskier Pennington, NJ

I’m Zachary Ferry, I am 14 years old, and I am a freeskier at Mount Snow Academy. I’m born and raised in Pennington New Jersey and I am French and Italian. My mom spoke French to my older brother and me when we were babies. He became completely fluent but due to an issue with my ear the doctors told my mom to only speak one language to me, so I am semi fluent. I came to MSA because I love to ski and I want to take my skiing as far as I can. I know that attending MSA will help me greatly in reaching my full skiing potential. I love that the classes are one to one because I have ADD and this teaching model helps me to learn things in a whole new way. If ever I don’t understand something or if I am having trouble with a concept, I can just ask my teachers without having to wait for anyone, because it’s just me. Skiing here has already opened more doors for me and I have improved a ton. I have gained a whole new outlook on skiing and on life since attending MSA. Other than skiing I play lacrosse, tennis, golf, and I used to play football and swim. I have two brothers, one who is at Avon Old Farms and another who also goes to another academy for snowboarding. Skiing six days a week is amazing and hard. It becomes your job almost, but your job that’s so much fun. I have never had a better experience in school or skiing than Mount Snow Academy and I will definitely be here throughout my high school years.

Nicholas Ford Grade 10 Freeskier Southampton, NY

Hello people! I am Nick Ford, a sixteen year old freestyle skier out of Southampton, NY. Southampton isn't exactly considered the hub for skiing, so having the opportunity to head up to Mount Snow Academy for my second year has been a dream come true. Unfortunately, I broke my collarbone in the first week of January, which has set back my overall skiing hours pretty substantially. However, in the determination to pursue my passion, I made a thorough comeback and used MSA's resources to enjoy my time both on and off snow. Although an injury is no blessing, it allowed me to expand my learning in the film and photograph program, allowing me to diversify my outlook on skiing. This is my fifth year freestyle skiing, and my passion to thrive has been fulfilled through MSA. I was first intrigued about coming here because of the great reputation of Carinthia Parks. In addition, with the help of knowledgeable coaches, I found progression to be inevitable. I also realize the importance of receiving a good education and balancing it with my skiing, and I am able to succeed with the support of great teachers. In the off season, I like to get in the water as much as possible. Southampton is one of the most premiere spots for surfing, so I try to head out whenever the waves are good. MSA has been a great experience for me. The academy has brought me together with some similarly minded people, which allowed me to make some great friends. The memories I have made at MSA are plentiful and unforgettable, and I can only thank my parents, teachers, coaches and staff for making it happen!

Katie Goode Grade 10 Alpine Racer Boone, NC

Hey! I’m Katie Goode and this is my second year at MSA. I am 15 years old and from Boone, North Carolina. My dad first put me on skis when I was 9 months old. I started racing when I was 4. I grew up racing at Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain both being about 15 minutes away from where I live. I started in a recreational race series, then moved onto USSA when I was 11. By the time I was 13 I knew I wanted to go to a ski academy, and a few months later there I was, at MSA. My coaches have given me lots of new opportunities and experiences like going to New Hampshire for a week to train and race Super G. I’d say my skiing has improved a great deal because I ski 6 days a week. My school work has brought me to greater depths in my courses and is more catered towards my needs. I am also delving more into topics that interest me, and I can spend more time on topics that I may struggle with. The one to one teaching has kept me focused and makes keeping up with schoolwork on the road easier. In the off season I play tennis for Watauga High School. My goals for this season are to qualify for USSA Eastern Championships ( Formerly known as Junior Olympics) and U16 Can/Ams.

Jennifer Hill Grade 10 Alpine Skier South Orange, NJ

My name is Jenni Hill, and this is my fifth year at Mount Snow Academy. I am 15 years old, from South Orange, NJ, and I am an alpine skier. When I’m not skiing, I’m in school, sleeping, eating, on my phone, playing saxophone, running, or working as a lifeguard. I’ve been at Mount Snow Academy since I was eleven, so it is exciting to see new changes in the school, the biggest being based at the Matterhorn this year. It took some getting used to, but overall I think it made this school have a more professional look. Also, I think the Matterhorn makes MSA actually more homey in a way, because the boarding students live in the same place we go to school. I was super excited to do the pre-Thanksgiving session for the first time this season, and it was a lot of fun to go out to Colorado. I had never been, so it was a fun new experience to put under my belt. (Well, maybe not Luke’s cooking). Even before that though, it was great to meet our new house mom Amanda and break in the Matterhorn, as well as go on some hikes in the Valley. I’m looking forward to doing some races in the spring, and bringing down my points for the seasons to follow.

Ian Johnson Grade 10 Freeskier Harwich, MA

My name is Ian Johnson. I live on Cape Cod and I am a freeskier. This is my second year here at Mount Snow Academy. I have already accomplished so much this year with Robby as my coach. I have been skiing since I was 18 months old and I have been coming to Mount Snow since my parents bought a condo here when I was three years old. I was in the weekend freeski program since I was about 9 years old. As soon as I learned that I could get air under my skis I started freestyle. I competed in moguls, big air, and slopestyle until a few years ago, when I made the switch to only competing in slopestyle. I liked the fact that you can be creative with your skiing and your tricks, unlike the rigidity, and sometimes boring ways of moguls. Being able to ski six days a week has greatly improved my skiing and the one-on-one classes have significantly improved my academics. I am able to learn much more, and at a faster pace than in my home school. Being here has greatly enhanced both my skiing and my academics. The people here are so supportive and helpful in many ways. The atmosphere in the new building is incredible because of the new, more separated classrooms and all the places to relax in between classes.

Emma Nesson Grade 11 Snowboarder Newton, MA

My name is Emma Nesson and I am 16 years old. I am in the eleventh grade, and I snowboard. I live in Newton, MA, and this is my third year at Mount Snow Academy. I love to snowboard, and it is cool that MSA allows me to ride six days a week. I love to snowboard because it makes me happy. I’m grateful that I’ve gotten to work with the same coach throughout my time at MSA. My coach has allowed me to reach my athletic goals and is very supportive.

Andrew Kieffer Grade 10 Freeskier Suffield, CT

Hello, my name is Andrew Kieffer, I am 16 years old, and I am from Suffield, Connecticut. I started skiing when I was 8 years old, but when I was 14, I started freestyle skiing (which is actually pretty late, for starting). Two years ago I started skiing at Mount Snow, and when I went in Carinthia for the first time, I knew this is what I wanted to do. My parents put me on the comp team at Mount Snow (which is like a weekend program), and that was it: I started going up every weekend. During the week I could hardly wait for Friday night, so I could go skiing with my new friends I had met on the mountain. I started progressing a lot faster than I expected, and I thought maybe I could go further than just skiing on the weekends. When I found out about Mount Snow Academy, I begged and begged my parents to let me go, till they looked into it. After a year of my asking, they agreed! When I first joined Mount Snow Academy, I was very shy, because I didn’t know anyone that well. A week later, we went on a trip to Colorado; I got to know everybody much better, and I became good friends with everyone. I find it very cool how everybody in the ski community is very friendly, and since the sport isn't very big, everybody seems to know each other. Another thing I like a lot about Mount Snow Academy is the education. Since I have ADD and the education is one-to-one, I find it very helpful to get all the attention and have the learning style more like a conversation. All the teachers at Mount Snow Academy want you to succeed.

Maddox Ormiston Grade 11 Alpine Racer West Dover, VT

My name is Maddox Ormiston. I am an alpine ski racer, and my junior year in high school has brought me to Mount Snow Academy for the second year in a row. I have been ski racing for eleven years, and the amount of individual competition and progress has helped me develop the whole time. This sport has allowed me to become proficient in life skills like time management, confidence, discipline, and grit, to name a few. I love the thrill of flying down a mountain with no one but the wind and snow to keep me company as I race the clock. MSA allows me to experience the personal side of the sport, while also having a great team dynamic. I enjoy the ability to go from school to the mountain with a big, fun group of kids and learn in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms. Recently, I have been getting better results in my races and feeling better about my skiing. My coaches Ben, Dave and Shawn have been helping me on and off the hill, perfecting my tactics and making me stronger in dryland. My goal for this year is to make it to the FIS finals as I did last year. I have already been seeing improvements in my skiing and hope to keep making steady progress for the rest of my time here.

Iker Rodriguez Grade 11 Alpine Racer Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Kaixo! Hola! My name is Iker Rodriguez and I’m from Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain. It is a little but beautiful city located on the northern coast of Spain in the Basque Country. My family and I are big skiers. We spend as much time as we can in the winter at Baqueira-Beret, a 2510m mountain in the Pyrenees. My sisters and I belong to the race program there. My favorite discipline is giant slalom. I’m a foreign exchange student living in the United States for the school year (2016- 2017). I am a junior at Twin Valley Middle High School. I have met many friends and this fall I played on the junior varsity soccer team. Our record for the season was 11- 1 (we “kicked butt”). Obviously, the main purpose of my exchange is to learn and improve my English and become a part of American culture, but I always had a dream: to ski race in the US! Mount Snow Academy has made my dream become a reality. I can’t thank Todd, Lynne, Shawn, Dave, Ben, and my great teachers for this incredible experience. In school, I have had the opportunity to really improve my English, study US History, and be challenged in Physics. I even got to add a course: Photography! This is all because of the great teachers that provide the personal one to one education before and after training. It’s a lot of work, but all worth it. I have had a great time training, traveling to other ski resorts, and competing. I can’t wait to show off my Mount Snow Academy jacket to all my friends when I go home!

Ian Bryce Grade 12 Freeskier Wilmington, VT

My name is Ian Bryce, I’m a 18 years old free skier from Wilmington, Vermont. My Dad taught me to ski when I was three and I started freestyle skiing when I was ten. It all began when I decided to ski down the park one day to see what that thing was. I didn’t quite understand freestyle skiing at the time. While skiing down through, I saw people doing all sorts of tricks on the features and I immediately wanted to know how to do those tricks. From that day on, I started skiing in the park more often and eventually I taught myself jump and rail tricks on the features. From the day I started skiing park, I always dreamed that one day I could turn my passion into a career. My friends told me about Mount Snow Academy and explained that it is a high school for athletes who want to improve their skills. This is my third year at Mount Snow Academy, and I can tell how much I have improved both academically and athletically over the last 3 years. MSA is great because of the one-to-one teaching and the individual attention I get from the coaches. The close interaction between student and teacher helps me focus on my work so I can maintain good grades while skiing six days a week. I hope that I can attend MSA through the rest of my high school years because I believe that it is the path that will lead to my dreams of becoming a professional skier.

Sarah Nadler Grade 12 Snowboarder Lexington, MA

My name is Sarah Nadler, I’m 17 years old, and this is my first year at Mount Snow Academy. Despite leaving my home school during my senior year for somewhere new, coming to MSA was a wonderful decision I would certainly make again. I’ve become a much better snowboarder and an even better athlete and student from my time here. My only regret is that I didn’t attend MSA sooner! Next year, I will be at college (somewhere) which is going to be a pretty big change. But, due to my time here, I know it won’t be a difficult transition for me to make. Being away from home and being almost totally in charge of my academic status has pushed me to become a more independent person and student. The teachers and coaches here are entirely supportive and I am extremely grateful for all the support they have given me. Thanks to Mount Snow Academy, I know I’m ready to take the next step in my life. I can also confidently say that I will be snowboarding in the future.

Kyle Walker Grade 12 Snowboarder Canton, CT

Hi, my name is Kyle Walker. I am from Canton Connecticut and this is my second year at Mount Snow Academy. I have been snowboarding for a while, 5 years before I came up here to Vermont, (7 years in total). I love being able to ride here because, compared to Ski Sundown, Mount Snow is huge. Sundown is only 1075 ft. while Mount Snow is 3586 ft. Mount Snow also has a much bigger park, Sundown had about 20 features all year and Carinthia had over 100 in just the first month or two of opening. Attending MSA allows me to push myself to be the best that I can be. With professional coaching I am learning new and harder tricks. The coaching here at MSA helps me to learn things quickly while getting rid of old bad habits and replacing them with better techniques. My home school is a public school, Canton High School. I also attended The Greater Hartford Academy Of Math and Science for their half day program for my freshmen and sophomore year. Here at MSA the one-on-one classes allow me to focus better and understand the subjects in a way that would not have been possible in a normal classroom at Canton or Hartford.. My goals for snowboarding this year are to push myself as hard as I can and Improve my riding as much as possible. This means learning more complex tricks as well as harder variations of tricks. My goal for competition riding is to make it to nationals and place in the top ten in all events. This is only my second year competing with USASA, but I believe that with the coaching, riding more, and access to the best park will make it so i am capable of accomplishing my goals.

Alexandra Welter Grade 12 Alpine Racer Babylon, NY

I'm Alex, I'm 17, and this is my fourth year at MSA. I've been racing down the slopes for about seven years here at Mount Snow, except for last year. I tried a full time ski academy in northern Vermont, where school and skiing would be in one place all year. I soon found out that it was not the place for me, though. I was always much happier at MSA, so I've come back for my last year of high school. Mount Snow is where my home is. At my actual home on Long Island, I attend Long Island Lutheran High School, and I love it there. I’ve accomplished quite a bit over the years--something I take pride in. I owe most of my achievements to the coaches and teachers at MSA. Through the one-on-one teaching style, personalized training, and amazing staff, I’ve been able to accomplish many of my goals, for example qualifying for U16 Can-Ams two years ago, or lowering my GS FIS points this year (while also maintaining good grades). When I'm not skiing, I'm still preparing for it whether that's through working out or off-season ski camps wherever I can find snow. I mostly enjoy being in the outdoors with my friends. During the summer (when I'm not at Mt. Hood, Oregon, for more ski training), I spend most of my time near the water paddle boarding, swimming, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. I love driving around with my friends and going on adventures all over Long Island. Next year, I will be going to college somewhere in New England, though I have not yet committed to a particular school. I plan to continue ski racing as far as it'll take me, while simultaneously pursuing a major in neuroscience. I also hope to partake in many extracurricular activities including studying abroad in Greece to connect with my roots, drawing, photography, guitar, and intramural soccer and crew--among other possible activities that I have not discovered yet.

Garrett Whaley Grade 12 Freeskier Monroe, CT

Hi, my name is Garrett Whaley. I am 17 years old, and I am from Monroe, Connecticut. I’ve been skiing at Mount Snow since I was 2 years old, and this is my second year at Mount Snow Academy. I grew up skiing with my parents and brother, along with our housemates, the Grabowskis, who have three boys around my age. I always grew up skiing with kids who were older and better than me, which I think, really helped to push me to improve. I started skiing park around age 10, and started competing when I was 12. I have never had any coaching until last year, which is what has really made MSA beneficial for me. Having coaches like Robby and Tyler really helps me to progress. Academics at MSA have also been a great aspect of the experience. One to one instruction has been amazing. Other than skiing, I really enjoy surfing and playing lacrosse. So far, I only have good things to say about MSA, and I can’t wait to see what is to come in the next few months, in both the academic and athletic realm.

Austin Knuth Post Graduate Freeskier Harwinton, CT

Hi my name is Austin Knuth, I’m a 18 year old freeskier, I live in Harwinton Connecticut and I’m graduated from Lewis S. Mills High School. This year at Mount Snow Academy I am doing a post graduate year while doing online college classes. This year I am also doing the MSA Media school so I have more directions to choose from in my skiing career. I also felt like it would be a really cool program because I could use it for all my life. I have been skiing since I was 4 years old and it is what I love to do. I grew up skiing at Ski Sundown in New Hartford Connecticut. In addition to skiing I also do Martial Arts at a high level, for example I have traveled to Ireland numerous times as well as many other places nationally and internationally. Due to all this hard work and commitment I have won 4 world titles and numerous national titles as well as earning my junior black belt. I’m still working for my adult black belt. In addition to karate I have been playing lacrosse since I was 12, and soccer since I was 4. I also like to skateboard in my free time and I’ve gone to Woodward East 3 times for skateboarding. I decided to come to Mount Snow Academy for my third year because I had a great experience last year and I progressed at a very fast rate due to the excellent coaching and having the opportunity to be on the slopes every day. I also love being able to travel and compete all over the United States. I am very hardworking and I take pride in my work because I know that you need to work hard to be successful.

Jumpstart Program

The Mount Snow Academy Jumpstart Program is a three day per week program designed to provide the “next step” before moving on to the full time academy program. This year, fourteen young athletes train three days per week at The Hermitage Club with the Academy Program. Directed by Coach Brian Wyckoff, the program is focused on daily improvement for each athlete in their freeskiing, gate training and race day preparation. Video review, tactical sessions and tuning clinics are weekly occurrences after training. Already this year, we have seen marked improvement for all our young athletes, with many more races to come!

Last Year’s Flashback

What is old, is new Mount Snow Ski Foundation was founded in 1972. Back then home was a 24 x 24 building, and a collection of rented houses for athletes to stay in. Students took all their classes at Wilmington high school and trained half days at Mount Snow. The school became Mount Snow Academy in 1980 when they decided to go in a more personalized direction and make sure each student received the educational support that corresponded with their home schools. A dedicated faculty with specialized, individualized programming was brought on to ensure this. Only alpine skiing was offered at Mount Snow Academy until 1994, when freestyle was introduced. Shortly after that, snowboarding coaching was added. In 1996, the Academy House was purchased and students began living there in a dorm-style set up. Space was also shared with the Mount Snow Ski Club at the mountain’s base and used for classrooms and coaches’ offices. Over the years, its alumni have included Olympians, collegiate athletes, and the successful students who have excelled in so many areas of life. It's exciting to know that we are all part of this very cool history. In last two years alone, Mount Snow Academy has grown to 37 full time student-athletes and an additional 12 Jump Start alpiners, a program designed to let families have additional training time before committing to the full winter program. In October 2016, Mount Snow Academy purchased the former Matterhorn Inn and has transformed it into a welcoming campus in the heart of Deerfield Valley. Boasting 15,000 square feet, 30 rooms, 4 acres, its own job park and outdoor space for jumping, this is the first time the residential and educational experience has been in the same location. Alpine athletes now train at Mount Snow Resort and The Hermitage Club, as well as Carinthia for freestyle and snowboard. Grown from its roots, Mount Snow Academy is a school on the rise. Thank you for being part of our history and we look forward to seeing you in our future.

Mount Snow Academy: How It All Works

Each year, MSA’s student-athletes attend their home schools for the first and last quarters of the academic year. They arrive at Mount Snow Academy in November and stay until the end of March. Coursework is communicated or a product of collaboration between the partner school and MSA teachers. Students return to their home schools well-prepared and intellectually engaged; often having explored a subject to a far greater depth than their peers. For developing first-year athletes, MSA also offers a half-season program.

Mount Snow Academy’s athletic and academic programs are built around individualization. In the first years after the Academy’s founding in 1972, students attended Wilmington High School for half of each day and skied for the other half. This system provided fine athletic training, but too much fragmentation of the academic experience. In response to this weakness, in 1980 MSA instituted a personalized, one- to-one instructional mode which matches exceptionally qualified instructors with individual students for each academic discipline. Using this system, Mount Snow Academy has grown into one of the finest educational institutions of its kind.

The concern for individual needs is as evident on the slopes as in the classroom. Our coaching staff is highly experienced and deeply dedicated to developing successful athletes. They customize a training and competition program for each student, working to maximize each athlete’s individual growth in their sport. Our coaches also foster strong teamwork and cooperation among the athletes, many of whom are competing against each other.

This year MSA relocated to a facility just minutes from Mount Snow and The Hermitage Club, where dorm rooms, classrooms, and meeting space happily co-exist. Formerly known as The Matterhorn, the new site of MSA provides the comfortable space for expansion and further development of our training, boarding, and teaching facilities. This growth will better enable MSA to provide world-class instruction in athletics and academics.

Mount Snow Academy • 248 Route 100 • West Dover, VT 05356 802-464-7669 • www.mountsnowacademy.org

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