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SPILLWAY 2015 - 2016
Message from Kate Dear Friends, Last May I represented CVA at the 2015 United States Ski and Snowboard (USSA) Club Excellence Conference in Park City, UT. The conference’s theme was “The Power of Partnership” and, as I engaged in conversations with my colleagues, I was once again reminded of, and thankful for, the amazing community of organizations and individuals that has come together over the past thirty-plus years to cement the foundation of CVA. This year’s Spillway is inspired by these partnerships and is a reflection of the energy produced when people who are passionate about education and sport come together with shared values under a common vision. As CVA strives to improve as a school, program, and club, we will do so by maintaining and continuing to enhance relations with all our partners and the community as a whole. In addition, we must collaborate and work hard with our partners to protect the unified values and vision that have led to our growth and the resulting benefits for our student-athletes. This unified culture that CVA and our partners have created and maintain was specifically recognized by USSA’s Club Excellence staff, and it was a key factor in USSA’s recent designation of CVA as a Gold Certified Club. The following is an excerpt from the final certification report from USSA:
Kate Webber Punderson ‘89 Head of School
The integration of the programs, the school, the municipalities, the club, the mountain and the broader community is exceptional from a “cultural” standpoint. Some of the more significant contributing factors here were observed to be the following: • • • • • • • •
Commitment and support of a multi-sport environment A devotion to exploring new and innovative programming High expectations with equally high levels of support A commitment to the academic and athletic balance A consistent understanding and articulation of success vs. winning A high level of teamwork among all staff in all aspects of the organization A renewed commitment to the integration of the weekend programs Excellent lines of communication regarding student-athletes
Our partnerships not only allow CVA to provide life-changing opportunities for kids and teens but they also allow CVA to have a significant positive impact on the local and Sugarloaf economies. It is estimated that CVA infuses $3-4 million each year into the local economy, helping to maintain and grow a vibrant community locals and visitors alike can enjoy. Here’s to the power of partnerships! With thanks. Kate Webber Punderson, Head of School
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PARTNERS SINCE 1982 Dear Carrabassett Valley Academy Community, As I prepare for my first winter season as Sugarloaf’s General Manager, I am thankful that I am able to do so with a strong partner in CVA and its strong community of supporters. Sugarloaf and CVA have long held a special, mutually beneficial partnership. Since the first days of CVA’s existence, holding classes in the basement of the chapel, the school and the resort have worked to each other’s benefit. Our successes have been your successes; our challenges your challenges. CVA’s commitment to excellence over the years has helped to establish Sugarloaf as the premier competitive skiing and snowboarding destination in the East. Through our partnership we embarked on numerous initiatives, including construction of one of the East’s first Superpipes, the addition of the air bag training facility, and our recent hosting of the U.S. Alpine Championships and Junior National Championships. Likewise, Sugarloaf’s commitment to CVA has helped the school earn its reputation as the premier ski and snowboard academy in the country, producing Olympic and World Champions in skiing and snowboarding, as well as Ivy League graduates, business leaders, and philanthropists. As we look ahead to the future of our partnership, we do so with great enthusiasm as we work towards one of our biggest collaborations yet. Our collective work, with the help of the Sugarloaf Ski Club and numerous others, will allow us to break ground on a new competition center, paving the way for future generations of CVA athletes, and further cementing Sugarloaf as the East’s home for competitive skiing and snowboarding. Fostering this spirit of collaboration is an important focal point of the Sugarloaf 2020 Roadmap that we launched in 2010. Sugarloaf 2020 serves as our guide as we make development decisions for the mountain – a vision for where we want the resort to be ten years down the road and beyond. Over the past five years that roadmap has led to upgraded infrastructure, over 500 acres of new terrain, nearly $3 million in snowmaking improvements, and millions in improvements to our lift infrastructure. This summer our focus has been on our lift infrastructure, with more than $1.3 million in upgrades to our entire chairlift system, including a new load terminal for the King Pine lift, and state-of-the-art safety technology for many of our older lifts. As we head into this season, our primary focus is on the safety of our guests, employees, and anyone who enjoys our mountain playground. I am excited both about where we are and where we are going. Future years will see continued development of our resort infrastructure, both on- and off-mountain, and continued work with strong partners like CVA will ensure these developments work to better not just Sugarloaf, but the entire community. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Sugarloaf and CVA communities, and I couldn’t be more proud of both with what we have accomplished, and what we are poised to accomplish in the future. I look forward to seeing you here on the mountain. Karl Strand Sugarloaf General Manager
THE NEW CAMPUS CAMPAIGN AT CARRABASSETT VALLEY ACADEMY The Harold Alfond Foundation Challenge In May 2015, Carrabassett Valley Academy was awarded a $1,000,000 challenge from the Harold Alfond Foundation to support the new King Cummings Campus. This substantial commitment from the foundation serves as a tremendous catalyst for CVA’s campaign. The first phase of the Alfond Challenge calls for CVA to raise $536,000 to trigger a $500,000 grant, which will eliminate the remaining debt incurred for construction of the academic center. Once the matching funds are secured, the academic center will be formally named to honor Peter and Martha Webber, whose vision and hard work on behalf of CVA laid the foundation for the academy.
CVA is also working with the Harold Alfond Foundation on an additional $500,000 capstone (completion) gift for the planned construction of a student center, which will be the third building on the King Cummings Campus. To be considered eligible for that grant, CVA must first eliminate the academic center debt and provide the foundation with updated plans for the student center. This challenge moves us closer to making a full operational shift to the King Cummings Campus by 2020.These new facilities, combined with extraordinary athletic and academic programs, will help CVA continue to attract the most talented student athletes from the great state of Maine and around the world.
“The decision to support CVA was based on our belief in CVA’s mission at the nexus of outstanding athletics and education, and the importance of CVA as an economic driver in western Maine. What was once a small school is now a world-class ski and snowboard academy with a 30-year track record of success.” - Greg Powell Chairman of the Harold Alfond Foundation
The Harold Alfond Foundation Challenge: Two Milestones Academic Center, Phase 1: May 2015 – December 2016. CVA must raise the $536,000 needed to trigger the first $500,000 in matching funds to eliminate the academic center debt.
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Student Center, Phase 2: Upon successful completion of Phase 1, CVA will work with the Harold Alfond Foundation to determine the terms of the $500,000 “capstone” gift for the new student center. All new campaign gifts and signed pledges received by CVA between May 2015 and December 2016 will count toward the first phase of this challenge, essentially doubling the impact of your gift. Make your gift commitment now and help us meet our match!
The King Cummings Society Named after one of CVA’s most influential and visionary founders, The King Cummings Society recognizes the loyal and committed alumni, parents, grandparents, benefactors, friends, and associates of Carrabassett Valley Academy who have made an important commitment to its future through generous gift planning by bequest or a charitable trust. Why Your Future Gift is So Important Now Although gifts made by bequests will not help us with our current building projects, they will most certainly provide a critically important funding stream for future projects to ensure that CVA remains the vibrant and wonderful place that it is today. What better way to leave a sustainable legacy and to bolster the next generation of exceptional student-athletes?
The Value of Endowment Giving The endowment is the basis of CVA’s long-term financial strength and competitiveness. It allows CVA to attract and support top student athletes regardless of their financial circumstances, to hire and retain the best coaches and faculty, and to continue to offer a world-class program.The CVA endowment is currently $1.2 million.
THANK YOU TO PAUL AND CAROL FREMONT - SMITH P '91
WE MET THEIR CHALLENGE! In May 2014, CVA alumni parents and trustees Paul and Carol Fremont-Smith P’91 made a tremendous gift to CVA – a $500,000 matching gift challenge to encourage and inspire donors. Our impressive success on their matching challenge was instrumental to our securing the Alfond Foundation matching challenge the following year. Both challenges were designed to help CVA meet the organization’s most urgent need: debt reduction of the academic center construction loan. We are deeply grateful to Carol and Paul for their incredible leadership and generosity, and to all of you who helped us meet this challenge.
For more information about how you can be a part of the Alfond Challenge contact: Kate O’Halloran
Director of Development & Alumni Connections
Carrabassett Valley Academy 207.237.4498 | kohalloran@goCVA.com
CVA Boardercross/Ski Cross Teams on the Move!
This is an important and exciting time for the CVA boardercross and ski cross programs. Not only are they the fastest growing segment of the student body, but their team and individual member results have made the CVA program one of the most successful and well regarded in the world. Last season, CVA sent five boardercross and two ski cross athletes to Junior World Championships. Based on the success of their programs, CVA Snowboard Program Director, Mike Mallon, and CVA Head Ski Cross Coach, Alex Wiken, were selected to coach the U.S. teams at these international events. With the support of Sugarloaf, which provides a world-class training course and competition venue plus a new FIS-level start gate purchased by CVA, CVA’s boardercross and ski cross programs are poised to continue their success and growth this coming season. As the CVA Snowboard and Ski Cross teams train, travel, and earn new podiums, you can follow them on CVA Facebook pages!
For CVA and the Ski Club, the certification is about more than just an award.The final certification report identifies areas of strength we will continue to build on and provides ideas and support to address our challenges. USSA’s Club Development Program will continue to help us design a clear roadmap to becoming even stronger organizations.
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CVA, in partnership with the Sugarloaf Ski Club (SSC), has been named a Gold Certified Podium Club - the highest honor possible from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).The USSA’s podium-level certification process involved a year-long rigorous self-study and peer review of best principles and practices for ski and snowboard clubs. In awarding Gold to CVA/SSC, USSA’s certification team said, “As evidenced by the success of 2015’s U.S. Alpine Championships, the U16 Alpine National Championships and many other key events, the partnership among the Carrabassett Valley Academy, the Sugarloaf Ski Club, and Sugarloaf resort is one of the strongest in the country. We further commend CVA for its long-standing support of a multi-sport community, strong athletic, administrative and academic leadership, creative programming that provides excellent support for all student-athletes, and the expansion of its own, as well as collaborative, facilities.”
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CVA and the Sugarloaf Ski Club Awarded Prestigious Gold Certification from USSA su
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“The CVA and Sugarloaf Ski Club communities are proud to receive the Gold Club Certification from USSA. We would like to thank USSA for being a key partner in our programs. Every day we strive to provide a balanced athletic, academic and community experience for each of our student-athletes. The Club Certification will be a valuable tool as we continually develop new levels of excellence. “ – Kate Webber Punderson, CVA Head of School
“Since 1950, the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club has been committed to supporting competitive skiing and snowboarding. Earning USSA’s highest accreditation validates all of our hard work and the strong partnership CVA, the Ski Club, and Sugarloaf Mountain have fostered over the years.” – Bruce Miles, Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club Director
2014/2015
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Alpine
Snowboard
U.S Nationals/NorAm Qualifiers: U18/U21: Sophia Morris, Dev Thomas U16: Rylee McCormack, Ben Jacobs, Sophie Schroeder Eastern Championship Qualifiers: U14: Ben Jacobs, Garrett Alexander, Hayden Van Alstine, Luke Kearing, Simon Spear, Tyler Woolston, Sam Thompson, Killian Lathrop, Ella Spear, Bianca Klepper, Sophie Schroeder, Avery Reynolds U16: James St. Ville, Chad Hamblet, Devon Garber, Cameron Lent, Shelby Cowin, Sam Conzleman, Emma Kearing, Rylee McCormack
Junior World Boardercross Championship Qualifiers: Kristen Venuto, Devryn Valley, Liam Moffatt, Maxim Yudayev, Katie Wilson USASA National Podiums: Emma Downing (1st GS, 1st SL, 3rd BX), Chase Blakely (1st Slopestyle, Maine Mountain Series Freestyle Athlete Award), Maddi Chamberlin (3rd Rail Jam – Open Class), Zachary Stewart (3rd BX), Amy Hatfield (3rd SL)
Freeski
2015-16 National Team member Nominations: Seth Wescott (U.S. boardercross) Alex Tuttle (U.S. boardercross) Bode Miller (U.S. alpine) Sam Morse (U.S. alpine) Jeremy Cota (U.S. moguls) Nessa Dziemian (U.S. moguls) Liam Moffatt (Canada boardercross) World Cup Qualifiers: Nessa Dziemian - moguls Troy Tully – moguls Jeremy Cota – moguls Bode Miller – alpine Seth Wescott – boardercross Alex Tuttle – boardercross World Junior Team Members: Nessa Dziemian - moguls Sam Morse - alpine U.S. Alpine Championship Qualifiers: Sierra Leavitt, Ben Morse, Sam Morse, and Craig Marshall NCAA Championship Qualifiers: Sierra Leavitt (Colby College), Ben Morse (Dartmouth), and Craig Marshall (Colby College)
USASA National Competitors: Nick Hall, Tommy Cogswell, Thomas Woodley, William Deschenes, Toby Skarsten, Wyatt McDermott, Billy Shackford, Parker Pierson, Colin Arner, Osten Duncan, Caspian Fargo, Cole Garlock
Moguls Eastern Championship Qualifiers: Noah Fournier, Jesse Lowell, Dylan Johnson, Anna Drumstas, Grace Holstein U.S. National Qualifiers: Noah Fournier, Jesse Lowell, Dylan Johnson, Anna Drumstas, Grace Holstein
Ski Cross Junior World Championship Qualifiers: Mike Hayes, Abi Zagnoli USASA National Podiums: Luke Kearing (1st), Stuart Whittier (3rd)
Alumni
$640,000
$500,000
CVA By the Numbers
$450,000
$550,000
$400,000
2013
2014
2015
2016
FISCAL YEAR
2015/2016 Student Body Snapshot • • • • • • • •
101 Student-athletes 63 males/38 females 66 boarding students/ 35 day students 36 students from Maine 37 students from New England states other than Maine 9 international students 60 students are with us for full 9-month term 12 students in 7th/8th grade, 77 in 9-12th grade, 12 for PG year
CVA STUDENT ENROLLMENT 101
99
87 81
2013 - 2014
2012 - 2013
2014 - 2015
2015 - 2016
$800,000 $750,000 $700,000
2015/2016 Financial Aid
FINANCIAL AID AWARDED
$650,000
$850,000
$600,000
• •
55% of CVA students received financial aid Average aid awarded: $14,936
$790,000
$550,000
$640,000
$500,000 $450,000
$550,000
$400,000
2013
2014
2015
2016
FISCAL YEAR
Endowment Endowment Value as of June 30, 2015: $1,206,844
CVA STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Endowment Growth over 4 years: +36.45% 99
101
87
2015/2016 Budgeted Revenue & Expenses 81
2012 - 2013
2013 - 2014
2014 - 2015
2015 - 2016
Responsible Community Living Partnering with students to commit to themselves and their community
Responsible Community Living describes our intentional focus on teaching and putting into practice our core values of civility, kindness and respect – embracing the notion of treating each other the way we would want to be treated. The importance of feeling and showing gratitude and appreciation for each other, as well as for the CVA experience and opportunities it provides is also emphasized. These values guide each of us to be positive contributors to the CVA community where high expectations of ourselves and each other exist in a kind, respectful and supportive atmosphere.The result is a place, and a second family, of which we can be proud to be a part. This year we will be exploring another CVA guiding principle - Commitment. Commitment comes in two equally vital directions – commitment to self and commitment to community. Commitment is a pledge to a course of action and it is demonstrated by following through with the conscious choices we each make. Commitment to self involves goal setting, trying our hardest, honesty and integrity, and hard work. Commitment to community involves positively contributing to our shared community and supporting others in reaching goals. Commitment is a choice. It is the connection between our values, intentions and our actions. Commitment inspires us to be, and do, our best. Behind all of our successes lies commitment. Commitment is not a skill; it cannot be given to us, or learned from a book - it is something that grows steadily from within. Being committed can be hard work – but it can be incredibly fulfilling. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, author J. K. Rowling wrote, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” This is so true…at CVA success is not defined by the number of races or competitions won, or by the number of A’s and perfect scores. It is defined by our commitment which is displayed in our choice to work hard and try our best.
Wellness:
A Team Approach With Our Wellness Partners CVA’s comprehensive approach to wellness includes: • Health center on site in the dormitory staffed with a full-time RN • Full-time certified and licensed Athletic Trainer on campus • Full-time Human Performance Director • CPR/First Aid trained staff, teachers and coaches We employ a team approach working closely with multiple local health care providers from a variety of disciplines to ensure thorough care with the best possible results: The Team Chiropractors- Dr. Roberts and Dr. Steinhouser-HealthQuest Chiropractic Chiropractic care is now a standard among high-level athletes. Proper alignment of the skeletal system can speed healing, alleviate pain, and promote peak performance. The Team Massage Therapist- Liz Stefany B.A., L.M.T. Massage therapy has been shown to play an integral role in facilitating faster recovery from injury. Massage therapy is available weekly for our athletes and staff. The Team Physical Therapist- Liza Royce MPT, ATC Rehabilitation is vital to the recovery and treatment of injury. When physicians or surgeons prescribe physical therapy, Liza Royce makes on-campus sessions available.
Jon Lynes,
Assistant Head of School:
The Craftsman By Waylon Wolfe
I often drive by the CVA maintenance building at night and notice the light is on. It brings a smile to my face every time, because I know that my colleague, friend, and master woodworker, Jon Lynes, is in his shop creating something extraordinary after a long day of providing an intellectual, inspirational, and nurturing environment for CVA’s student-athletes. As I have gotten to know Jon over the years, I have realized that there are many layers beneath his role as CVA’s assistant head of school for academic and student services: a skilled craftsman, Coast Guard veteran, dedicated family man, with a wealth of knowledge and life experiences. In 1983, as a first class boatswain’s mate in the U.S. Coast Guard, Jon suffered a career-ending back injury, which left him looking for a new occupation. He entered a program studying the art of building stringed instruments under Robert Meadow. He then worked independently specializing in guitar building and repair. One night in his workshop, he found himself listening to philosopher Joseph Campbell on the radio: “Every moment is utterly unique and will not be continued in eternity. This fact gives life its poignancy and should concentrate your attention on what you are experiencing now. Just as your dreams are composed, so your whole life has been composed by the will within you. Just as the people who you met by chance became effective agents in the structuring of your life, so you have been the agent in the structuring of other lives. And
the whole thing gears together like one big symphony, everything influencing and structuring everything else.” This sentiment had a profound effect on Jon at the time as he and his family were dealing with the loss of a young family member. He became inspired to earn his teaching degree in history from the University of Massachusetts to be “an effective agent in the structuring” of young minds in the classroom. After teaching history and coaching in Massachusetts for many years, Jon and his family moved to Maine in 2007 when he became CVA’s director of student services. Shortly after earning his Masters in Education Leadership from the University of New England, Jon was appointed assistant head of school, in the summer of 2015. Under Jon’s leadership CVA’s Responsible Community Living Curriculum was created and implemented, resulting in a heightened level of civility and respect throughout our community. Throughout his 30 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, Jon has stayed active as a woodworker appreciating its therapeutic effect on his life. Along with guitars, Jon builds beautiful wooden furniture and restores antique items. A perfect example of his work is a curly maple bench memorializing Josh Waldron, which resides in the CVA atrium. Whether he is shaping something out of wood, or shaping the minds and characters of young Big Dogs, Jon Lynes truly is “CVA’s Craftsman.”
Parents as Partners:
An Important Piece of our Nurturing Environment A student’s CVA experience requires a partnership among the student, parents and school. We understand it can be a scary thought being apart from your child during their high school years, which is not something we take for granted. We work closely with parents to ensure they feel just as involved with their child’s life here as they would be at home. In turn, our parents generously invest their time, talents and treasures for the betterment of the students and of CVA, all of which we are so grateful.
How can a parent get involved? All CVA parents are members of our Parent Support Organization (PSO), which plays a key role in connecting the parents with the school. The PSO regularly hosts dessert nights, weekend activities, and other special student life events. They host the annual PSO wreath sale which provides funding for their activities and requests submitted in an annual “wish list” from teachers, coaches, and staff. The PSO is led by a strong leadership team comprised of parents. Parents, regardless of where they live, contribute in a variety of ways: • Sending/ordering treats for dessert nights • Hosting a team traveling for a competition • Selling tickets for the Scholarship Event; our event to raise money for the CVA scholarship fund • Selling or hanging wreaths for the wreath sale • Donating equipment to the annual ski/snowboard sale • Calling prospective families to share their CVA experience • Supporting the annual fund
COLLEGE BO UN D
WIT H T HE HE L P OF FA M I LY C ONN E C TI ON Last spring CVA began using Family Connection (part of the Naviance System), an online resource where students can set age- and grade-appropriate goals and action plans, choose academic courses, explore careers, research colleges, and create lists of schools that interest them. It allows parents, students, and CVA to partner, ensuring students’ proper planning and college readiness. They can view their course records for all schools attended, and request transcripts and recommendations. Family Connection also includes assessments, so students can learn more about their interests and potential careers that fit those interests. They can then find colleges that provide majors in those careers and also learn the admissions requirements of those schools.
Sabrina Shankman '01 & Evan Olmstead '10: Storytelling is the tradition of passing down information from one generation to the next to teach others about the world around us. It’s an essential aspect of our culture and over the years has evolved from hieroglyphic cave paintings to the forms we encounter today: print, internet, and film. Television producers are the modern day storyteller; transforming hours of footage into an entertaining and informative visual experience. Producers must develop the storyline, set up the appropriate shots, do the background research, and work with the editors to create each episode. Two of our CVA alumni have had the exciting experience of working in TV production: Sabrina Shankman ’01 worked as a co-producer and reporter for 2over10 Media, an independent production company that makes documentaries for Frontline, an investigative journalism series on PBS. Some of her work includes Law and Disorder, a look at unarmed civilians who were shot by the New Orleans PD in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and A Perfect Terrorist, the story of an American-Pakistani man who helped plot the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks. Evan Olmsted ’10 worked as an associate producer for North Woods Law, an Animal Planet reality show that documents the day to day activities of Maine’s game wardens. His adventures ranged from chasing a half tranquilized black bear through the woods to documenting the process of carrying stocked fish in backpacks into Horns Pond on the Bigelow Preserve. While the shows may be very different in nature, the excitement and adventure of being in the thick of the action is the same. Frontline is a series that looks at complex and often controversial current topics. Each broadcast consists of a long-form news documentary that takes about nine months to develop from the initial pitch to the final editing process. Sabrina came to the show with a background in journalism and reporting, having worked as a newspaper reporter in grad school before moving on to Propublica, an independent non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. As a co-producer and occasional reporter for 2over10 Media, her job was to oversee all aspects of each documentary, from researching the story and reporting the facts to determining the main characters and assessing their willingness to be filmed, as well as planning the travel for all team members. Most of Sabrina’s workload was on the front end of filming and required countless hours of researching, fact checking, and reporting. Once the facts, scripts, and logistics were solidified, the adventure of filming began.
Sabrina braving the icy waters of the Atlantic on her way to the Torngat Mountains for research for a polar bear documentary.
While on location, she was responsible for arranging and executing all aspects of filming including ensuring good working relations with all involved. Once the footage was captured, she brought the components together through script writing, archival footage, and working with the editor to create the final product. While her job took her to some exciting and sometimes scary locations, Sabrina’s favorite aspect of the job was the precision of the journalism. “The storytelling never got in the way of the facts. The name Frontline means a lot, so all of our facts had to be 100% accurate and the reputation pristine. If you misrepresent the characters then people won’t want to work with you in the future.” While some might think that facts and accuracy are less critical for reality television, Evan would tell you otherwise. “We had to have a close, respectful working relationship with the game wardens. If we got in the way of their work it could jeopardize everyone’s safety, and the show would be shut down.” Unlike Sabrina’s team, which had to do most of the story development pre-filming, Evan and his team had to be ready at a moment’s notice to capture the action, not knowing where it might lead them.
Portraying the
human experience In order to create an authentic and informative story for the public, both production teams needed to create a reputation of respect, accuracy, and good working relationships. While their approaches to developing their plot lines and delivery of information may be completely different, the core value of authentic storytelling was the same.Whether it’s reality or reality television, a show is only as good as its story teller, and our Big Dog producers were able to share some amazing stories with the world.
Producers, just like any good reporter, need to be right in the action in order to get the shot. Here are some of Evan and Sabrina’s most exciting moments:
Everything had to be approached as a possible story, while constantly flushing out, in real-time, its potential conflict, and risks, as well as comedic or entertainment value. Knowing each warden’s personality and approach to any given situation was an important factor in determining the angle of the story as well. While one might handle a rabid raccoon in a comedic way, another might take a much more serious, and sometimes morbid, approach. The crew’s follow-trucks become mobile studios where they conduct interviews with the wardens before, during, and after an event in order to get their authentic take on the situation. Once all the footage has been captured, the story comes together. Story producers and editors work in the show’s New York studio to incorporate different footage and input from the field producers to create an episode.
Sabrina: “We were reporting on a man from Maine who was attacked by a polar bear while camping in Labrador, which is happening more often as climate change eliminates polar bears’ habitat -- the sea ice. In order to tell the story, we flew from New York to Goose Bay, Labrador. From there, we took two 15-passenger charter flights, a two-hour boat ride to a base camp, and then a 10-hour ride on a fishing boat through the icy waters to our final location in the Torngat Mountains. Each day we would trek through the area with Inuit guards, learning about the changes to the land and observing polar bears. One day we took a helicopter ride and when we landed, saw a polar bear from about 20 feet away. It stood still and watched us, its nose in the air to catch our scent, before it finally ran away. To be so close to such an amazing animal in that habitat ... I don’t have the words to explain how exciting it was.”
For Evan, working on North Woods Law meant a chance to be back in Maine, working on his career while doing what he loves: exploring the expansive wilderness of Western Maine. The experience of working in Maine with such a creative, motivated, and dynamic crew has had a profound impact on Evan’s career. “So much of what led to preparing me for this job was influenced by my life in Maine, at CVA, and through the travel experiences CVA afforded me. The world experience I gained set me up for success in this line of work: I had to perform under pressure, spend a great deal of time in the outdoors, be competent in the woods, create a healthy work/life balance, and cope with the competitiveness of this industry.”
Evan: “There was a hiker who was stranded on Crocker Mountain after falling ill to food poisoning and needed to be rescued. We had already worked a 12-hour day, but in order to film the story and assist with the rescue I needed to push myself past my limit and hike 7 miles with the first responder team. Having worked as a ski patroller at Sugarloaf with Barry London (who was part of the responder team) I was able to put my wilderness medical responder skills to use. The weather was terrible, and we were out until 3am, but I got to witness the reward of our work when the wardens walked him safely out of the woods the following morning.”
Evan “on set” with Maine Game Wardens at Horns Pond, Bigelow Preserve.
BIG Dog Tales 1984
Shane Boyle had his paintings shown in Bay Head, NJ this summer while also curating a solo show in Montauk, NY. He volunteers as head waterman for Operation Beachhead which brings veterans of war, active troops and special need individuals into the sea on surfboards, kayaks and paddleboards.
1986 2015 brought about some big changes for Eric Chamberlin: watched his daughter Maddi Chamberlin ’15 graduate from CVA in May and, after seven years of service, he packed up his Murfey apartment and moved to France to start his next adventure!
1991
Chris Collins married Emily Riedle on July 4, 2015. Bigelow Mountain Partners LLC, the CVA-alumni company owned by Tom Fremont-Smith, Chris Lorenz '89, and Augustus Lookner, brought on a new partner during the Fall of 2014 in Seth Wescott ’94. Seth’s addition to BMP gives their legendary snowboard brand, Winterstick Snowboards, an Olympic champion and world-class snowboard designer. Seth designs his race boards for Kesslar and will be head of design at Winterstick. Seth’s new Winterstick pro model has already won Backcountry Magazine’s Editors Choice Award and will be featured in Outside magazine’s “Essentials issue” this November. In addition, BMP landed a five-year agreement with Sugarloaf to build a ski and snowboard manufacturing factory at the West Mountain Chair barn. Plans are for the new factory to be producing boards by spring 2016. Stay tuned...
1992
1988
Jim Fitlow writes, “This was a big year for catching up with some “old” alumni. Mark Radcliffe '88 and I got some turns in this last winter. Kate Webber Punderson '89 was in town this spring for USSA meetings and it was great to spend an evening catching up. Nina Cook Silitch '90 just moved to town with her family, with kids the same age as mine. Barely missed a few others while they were traveling through town but will get them next time. The Fitlow family stayed busy doing what they do: Ski and race, boat, karate, camp, dance, school, Lego league robotics, horse riding, travel, crossfit and the occasional rest day. My wife Vicky’s 25th reunion from Bates is next June, so we are planning to get in a family trip to Maine for the first time; we are looking forward to that and catching up with everyone who may be around.”
Nora Stowell writes, “It was GREAT to be back in Carrabassett Valley for graduation! It was an emotional ride to be right back in it 23 years later (it was like I relived my own experience all over again). I was moved by the senior banquet, super impressed by the quality and character of the students and faculty, loved getting a tour of the new campus and in awe of Kate Webber Punderson’s engagement and leadership ability. I cannot imagine anyone else filling John Ritzo’s head of school responsibilities other than Kate! I even got to enjoy a trip to The Rack with one of my favorite cousins!”
1994
In late 2014 Jeremiah Boobar joined Dorel Sports as director of suspension technology in the biking division. Boobar left SRAM in Colorado Springs where he envisioned, developed and launched the Pike suspension platform and Reverb height adjust seat post.
Congratulations to Forest Carey, who was awarded the USSA Alpine International Coach of the Year at the Chairman’s Awards Dinner at USSA Congress. He is also finishing his last season on the World Cup Tour before becoming the Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Ski Club. In April, Forest married Kristen Poehling. This past winter, Seth Wescott traveled to the Himalayan mountains to be filmed for the upcoming Warren Miller film Chasing Shadows which premieres this fall. He is the board designer and team rider for Winterstick snowboards as well as a design and field test partner with L.L. Bean. Seth was named to the U.S. Boardercross team again for the 20152016 season.
1996
Bode Miller and his wife Morgan Beck welcomed their first child together, Nash Skan Miller, in May 2015. Janel Ippolito Redman writes, “Matt, Hazel, and I welcomed James Stephen Redman on November 29, 2014! Life is crazy and fun! We are still living in Portland, Maine and love running into fellow Big Dogs - just this past week we saw Amanda Newton Gray, Barrett Silver Grimnes, Kristofer Grimnes, Tyler Kipp '97, Megan Friend Hildebrand '99,
BIG Dog Tales and Meghan Silver Covington '99!
Micah Lashar and his wife Erin are proud parents of their first daughter, Hayden Yvonne, born Dec 12, 2014. Micah is the head women’s coach at Stratton Mountain School and Erin is a men’s FIS coach.
2001
1999
Amanda Newton Gray and her husband Adrian welcomed their second daughter Avery Crawford Gray to the world July 13, 2015. Big sister Addie and parents are already prepping her for the upcoming ski season!
1998
Pablo Paster and his wife Kristina welcomed their new son, Enzo Roger Downer Paster, on May 6, 2015. He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. His big sister Stella loves him “to the moon and back.”
Nick Miller writes, “Still living in Los Angeles, going on nine years now, and I am still working for the Los Angeles City Fire Dept as a firefighter. Just recently moved in with my girlfriend, Clarissa, who is an amazing woman from Brazil, and we’re living in Marina Del Rey. This past May, for the 3rd year in a row, I was in Alaska climbing, where I have ticked off 3 summits:the Sultana Ridge on Mt Foraker in 2013, the West Ridge on Mt Hunter in 2014 and the Upper West Rib on Denali. Looking forward to the next climb but haven’t decided on where that is going to be. Spent some time with my brother and his wife this past winter in Europe ski touring on the Haute Route and now getting ready to leave for Bali during the end of August and then to Brazil in December!
2000
Jamie Potter writes, “It’s a big year for me! I am getting married to Meneah in October in Camden and if all goes well we should have a new house in Freeport in Porter’s Landing. Keep your fingers crossed - we close on Sept. 16th!” Jamie also joined CVA’s Board of Trustees this year.
Rorie Zuzick writes, “I bought my first house last year in Bowie, MD, and I’ve worked for the U.S. Navy as a naval architect for the last several years at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. I’m engaged to be married late next summer (2016) on Cape Cod, where two other Big Dogs, Carrie Ervin and Kristin Gregg, will be in my wedding party. Life is pretty busy with a steady stream of house projects, trips to sea, keeping up with friends from far away, and wedding planning, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Go Big Dogs!”
Bryn Carey and his wife Jackie welcomed Cooper Rose Carey into the world on July 19th, 2015. She weighed in at 5 lbs 9 ozs. Bryn reports, “She told us the other day that she hopes to begin her skiing career during the 2016/17 season.” In addition to fatherhood, Bryn has been very active in Climate Change working with both Protect Our Winters (Jeremy Jones ’93) and Climate Reality for their “I am PRO SNOW: Road to Paris” Campaign. Ready to help out? Sign their letter to the UN to make sure that future CVA Athletes have snow to ski on. You can view and sign the letter here: www.climaterealityproject.org/ content/i-am-pro-snow-letter
2002
Rachel Coffin writes, “I am getting married to Mark Murphy on August 23rd! The wedding will be here in Portland. I am currently working at CIEE (in Portland) and this summer I have been running programs for international high school students. We welcomed over 60 students from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, China, South Korea, India, and Afghanistan to Maine for English Language and Global Entrepreneurship programs. It was amazing to watch the students learn and grow and to experience a Maine summer through their eyes. I was also able to spend some time this summer with Abi Manter, Renee Thibodeau, and Kara Hoisington, and it was wonderful to catch up!” Rachel also is a member of the CVA Development Committee.
BIG Dog Tales Andrew Willihan and his wife Hannah have enjoyed a great summer of fishing, traveling, concerts, and enjoying the state of Maine. Andrew starts a new title at CVA this year, as the Head U14/U16 Alpine Coach, and is looking forward to a great season with an amazing coaching staff and a group of very talented skiers. He couldn’t go without saying that he and his dog “Sluice” are very eager and excited for the upcoming hunting season!
sports people had it made, especially when it was a bitter windy day on top of the ‘Loaf. We even made it out to CA on the very first trip the ALPS team ever took—I was the first snowboarder in the program. We came west in the fall hoping to catch some earlier snow. But like last year, the west coast didn’t have a great winter then either. So, we ended up rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. I remember a brutal 11-mile run on which most of us forgot to bring water. Luckily I survived to make it back to west coast more than a decade later. That’s all for now, go Big Dogs!” Ian Poirier writes, “It has been a busy year; I am living in San Francisco with my fiancee (and my dog, Indiana Bones), and we will be getting married in October in the Berkeley hills. I recently started a new job as Regulatory Compliance Manager at Lyft, where I work with regulators across the U.S. as new laws are developed affecting Lyft and Uber. I still ski at Tahoe whenever possible. As always, I’m looking forward to getting back to Sugarloaf for the Holiday Party!
On June 23, 2015 Sabrina Shankman and her husband Andrew Hodgkins welcomed their son Oscar Hodgkins into the world and are already looking forward to getting the little dude up to Sugarloaf this winter!
2003
College skiing head coach Kelsey Levine) were in attendance and had perhaps too good of a time. After the wedding, Emily and I spent six days on Mount Desert Island and in Baxter State Park hiking, biking, and eating tons of food, and now I am about to start my second year of medical school at Tufts in Boston.” Zack Brandwein spent the summer in Portland, Maine working for Bernstein Shur where Josh Silver ’94 is a shareholder. Zack had an awesome time at the wedding of Jim Whitledge and Emily Smith. There was a significant amount of dancing, Big Dog chants, and general awesomeness. He continues to serve as a class rep and a member of the Development Committee. Julia Coffin got engaged to Glenn Barnes this past winter.
2004
Matt Philippi married Emma Laurella on June 27, 2015 in Park City, Utah. Ben Burns married Jamie Witt on July 11, 2015.
2005
Daphne Hallett Donahue and her husband Ben welcomed their first child John in February 2015.
Ron DiGravio was married in late May 2015.
Sam Witherspoon married Margaret Wilson on August 22nd, 2015.
James West writes, “I moved to Santa Cruz, CA a few months ago to work for Apple at their corporate headquarters. I’m the lead web writer for content on Apple.com/support. It’s exciting to be here because Tahoe is within driving distance if the west coast ever gets good snow again. The mountain biking is also pretty epic, with many brands having headquarters nearby and a ton of great rides in the coastal mountains full of redwoods. Surfing isn’t half-bad either. My ALPS team coach Sam Punderson always used to muse that the summer-
2006
Jim Whitledge writes, “Emily Smith and I got married July 25th in Manchester, MA. Fellow CVA alumni Zack Brandwein, John Michael Doughty, Ben Manter, Christian Talmage, Sam Pelletier, Liz Thompson, and Julia Coffin (as well as current Williams
Jake Payson became the head Freeski Coach and Assistant Freestyle Program
BIG Dog Tales Director this year at CVA. In April, he and his girlfriend, Robin Chace (the U14 Girls’ Alpine Coach at CVA), took an epic fly fishing trip to Colorado where they slayed trout in the Eagle, Blue, Colorado, and Frying Pan rivers. When he’s not skiing, coaching, or living it up in the Capricorn, he’s living out his tiny house fantasy by adventuring around Maine with Robin in his truck camper.
2010
2007
Craig Marshall qualified for the NCAA Championship and U.S. Alpine National Championship before breaking his hand. Despite the injury, Craig still made it back to Sugarloaf for Nationals where he used his knowledge of the sport and fellow competitors to provide the race commentary. Craig graduated from Colby College in May. Emilie Garand returned to CVA this past winter as the Assistant U14 coach and continues to serve her peers as a CVA class rep.
Jeremy Cota was named to the U.S. Freestyle A Team for the 2015-2016 season.
2008
Cory Ransom was at the US Alpine Nationals at Sugarloaf taking photos for Ski Racing magazine.
2009 After spending a year out in Park City, UT ski instructing at PCMR, Bailey Sitz moved back to Maine with her boyfriend, cat, and dog, and is now working for an insurance company in South Portland.
2011
Ben Morse married Molly Pugh on July 3, 2015 in Maravilla Gardens, CA, competed in the U. S. Alpine Nationals at Sugarloaf, qualified for the NCAA Championships, and continues to serve his peers as a CVA class rep.
Colton Ransom made the Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University this year. Alexander Slemp was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester at Clarkson University. Sierra Leavitt qualified for the U.S. Alpine National Championships which were held at Sugarloaf.
2013
Sarah Fossett spent the summer in Ethiopia doing research for one of her Middlebury professors. After another ripping season on the slopes, Sam Morse earned himself a spot on the U.S. Ski Team for yet another year. This past winter was full of some amazing yet tough experiences for Sam. Some of the high points consisted of getting to be a fore runner at the Beaver Creek FIS Alpine World Championships in February, along with traveling to Norway to represent his country at the Junior World Championships. One of his most favorite parts of the season was coming home to race at Sugarloaf in March for NorAm Finals and U.S. Nationals in front of the home crowd. Sadly, in January Sam and his teammates experienced a tragic event that will forever leave a hole in their lives, the loss of two teammates in an avalanche in Austria. Sam was skiing with them that day and was heavily impacted by the experience. In true Big Dog form, Sam has chosen to keep on chasing the dream that his teammates wanted so badly, knowing that they will be with him every step of the way. The CVA and Sugarloaf community has yet again been a huge support system for Sam and he hopes to keep making them proud on the podium! #MooseontheLoose Jamie Marshall had a fun year competing at the EISA level and is going into his second year at Colby-Sawyer. Jamie has spent a lot of time this summer with some of his fellow Big Dogs, flying around the Carrabassett region with Sawyer Fahy ’02 and in the gym training with Max Richards ’13.
2014
Leika Scott raced for St. Anselm College’s Women’s Varsity Alpine Team this year and placed 18th overall at the USCSA Nationals in March at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. Tommaso Levi has been named one of the Presidential Scholars for the 2015 spring semester at Clarkson University.
Alumni Class of 2015
CVA’s Newest Alumni
Alex Jenson ’13 Discipine: Moguls Hometown: Waterville, ME
Congratulations to the Class of 2015 On May 30, 2015, twenty-one Big Dogs accepted their diplomas at CVA’s time-honored commencement ceremony held at the Richard Bell Chapel in Carrabassett Valley. Photo: (listed left to right, top to bottom) Justin Krebs, Will Wozencroft, Grant Erickson, Liam Moffatt, Will Madden, Joan Margarit,Eli Pangburn,Gerald McGuire,Nick Hall,Noah Fournier, Tommy Cogswell, Dylan Johnson, Austin Manley-O’Brien, DB Koda, Erin Buckland, Sarah Hohmeyer, Lillian Temple, Meghan McCormack, Katie Wilson, Liz Mutina (salutatorian), Madeline Chamberlin (valedictorian)
Alex Jenson is currently living in Park City, Utah, pursuing her dream of making the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. She is a member of the United States Development Group for the third year in a row and trains with Team Park City United. She hopes to have a strong season and be named to the U.S.Team for the 2016/2017 season. Alex is also continuing her education at the University of Utah where she is majoring in biology, due in large part to CVA biology teacher, Karen Lanoue-Egan, who was influential in Alex’s interest in biology. The transition hasn’t been hard for Alex because of the time management skills and work ethic she learned at CVA, and she is looking forward to being a student-athlete again. She tries to make it back to Sugarloaf at least twice a year and appreciates all that Sugarloaf and CVA have done for her success in all aspects of her life. After college and when she retires from competitive skiing, Alex plans to attend medical school.
Banks Gilberti ’07 Discipline: Freestyle Skiing Hometown: Hailey, ID Currently lives in: Sun Valley, ID In 2011, CVA alumnus Banks Gilberti pulled away from the competition scene to focus on travelling and filming. That led him to produce the first video for his now popular “Adventures in Transition” series. One of his more recent installments, “Home on the Range” has received more than 42,000 views. In the web series, Banks highlights his experiences in the snow and skate culture. His diverse skills as a freeskier, skater and snowboarder quickly garnered attention. He has secured sponsorships from Surface Skis, Orage, Outdoor Tech, Zeal, and Sun Valley, to name just a few. In October 2014, Banks was featured in Powder Magazine where he said, “I just always want to be doing something different than what everyone else is doing.” And he is. Banks has proven himself as a unique entity in the freeski industry by his style, ability, and most importantly, by being himself.
official outerwear partner of carrabassett valley academy CVA is proud to enter our third year of partnership with Maine-based outfitter L.L.Bean. We look forward to continued support of each other’s brands and missions through cross-promotion and collaboration. Together we strive to promote activity and winter sports for youths and adults alike - All while staying warm of course. Thanks L.L.Bean
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