T HE
SPILLWAY
valle
y
a
c a r ra
et t ss
su
g arloaf
demy ca
ba
2016 - 2017
Carrabassett Valley Academy
Message from Kate Dear Friends, In 1982 the founders of Carrabassett Valley Academy envisioned a school and a community that would rise to excellence. They knew that if they focused on a student’s passion for winter sports and built the school on a foundation of values and organizational strength to support those students, top performance would follow. They were right. Steadfast dedication to our mission and values has led to CVA being recognized by the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) as both the 2016 Club of the Year and the Snowboarding Club of the Year. This is the first time CVA has received either of these prestigious awards. CVA is only the third eastern program to receive the Club of the Year Award since 1998. For a small hard-working school nestled in the western mountains of Maine, it is a proud and humble moment in our history. Congratulations to the entire CVA community! These awards were presented to CVA in recognition of outstanding organizational and athletic performance while representing the vision and mission of USSA, and they signify that CVA stands above all other clubs in the country by building strong and successful programs in alpine racing, snowboard, ski cross and freestyle. They also recognize the extraordinary relationships with our key partners: the Sugarloaf Ski Club, Sugarloaf Resort and the Town of Carrabassett Valley. Above all, CVA received these awards because we share USSA’s values. We believe that personal growth, satisfaction and achievement follow when one lives the values of civility, respect, gratitude and commitment.
USSA’s values are:
Integrity – Action based on values rather than personal gain Passion – Motivation for doing what we love Fun – A fresh, positive, creative culture Team – Individual humility and collective pride Community – Exceptional stewardship and lifetime inclusiveness Excellence – Personal and collective wins every day Grit – Courage, tenacity and perseverance on the path to excellence
At CVA we further focus on:
Civility – Kindness is at the center of our school Respect – Thoughtful consideration of oneself, others and the ideas of others Gratitude – Deep appreciation for our opportunities and each other Commitment – Hard work and dedication to reaching one’s goals In the pages that follow you’ll read about the success of our students and alumni, the dedication of our staff, and our plans for the future. As we grow and move forward as individuals and as a school, we follow the path our founders laid out for us 34 years ago: follow your passion and live with values as the core. With thanks, Kate Webber Punderson, Head of School
2015/16 Athletic Highlights Alpine
U14/U16 National Championship invites: Rylee McCormack, Luke Kearing U.S. Alpine Championship Invites: Maya Bernier, Rachel Nawrocki U14 Eastern Championship Invites: Diaco Abrishami, Henry Kearing, Haley Castner, Eva Cayer U16 Eastern Championship Invites: Dow Jones, Cam Carey, Sam Conzelman, Rylee McCormack, Emma Kearing, Ella Spear, Simon Spear, Kelsey Kubota, Aidan Manahan
Freestyle
Junior National Championship Invites: Toby Skarsten (Slopestyle), Gus Shuster (Moguls), Anna Drumstas (Moguls) U.S. Freestyle Championships/Selections Invites: Gus Shuster (Moguls), Anna Drumstas (Moguls), Grace Holstein (Moguls)
Snowboard
Project Gold Nominations: Haley Michienzi, Kristen Venuto, Kiersten Edwards, Chase Blakely, Eli McDermott, Nick Malone, Devryn Valley, Katie Wilson Junior World Championship Invites: Haley Michienzi, Kristen Venuto, Kiersten Edwards, Liam Moffatt
Ski Cross
Project Gold Nominations: Bianca Marcello, Abi Zagnoli, Russell Malm, Mike Hayes, Stuart Whittier (WP) Junior World Championship Invites: Abi Zagnoli, Russell Malm, Mike Hayes Youth Olympic Invites: Abi Zagnoli, Russell Malm
Alumni
Sam Morse: Named to the U.S. Ski Team | 4th at Junior World Championships (DH) Bode Miller: Named to the U.S. Ski Team Seth Wescott: Named to the U.S. Snowboard Team Annalisa Drew: Named to the U.S. Freeski Team Nessa Dziemian: Named to the U.S. Mogul Team Troy Tully: Named to the U.S. Mogul Team Liam Moffatt: Named to the Canadian Snowboard Team Othman and Khadijah Mirzan: Named to the Malaysian National Ski Team Keegan Kilbride: Level 1 Super Unknown Champion
CVA Snowboard: USSA Snowboard Club of the Year CVA’s snowboarding program has achieved tremendous success on the local, regional, national, and international stages that led to the award: • • • • • • • • • • •
Exceeded CVA enrollment goals - Boardercross program doubled in size Gold Club Accreditation from USSA for CVA Acquired Settelee Olympic start system for the cross training venue at Sugarloaf 4 athletes invited to FIS Junior World Championships Alex Tuttle nominated as U.S. coach for Junior World Championships 7 USASA Nationals podiums 2 Canadian Nationals podiums 2 Canadian Junior Nationals podiums 27 FIS Nor-Am Top Tens 2 coaches nominated to USSA Project Gold assignments Nor-Am and Rev Tour events at Sugarloaf were a huge success - multiple podiums for CVA team qualification to USASA Nationals
Photo: Jamie Walter
#gocva Technology CVA may be nestled deeply in the mountains of Western Maine but thanks to our innovative and tech savvy coaches and teachers, new technologies are being deployed and used at CVA in the classrooms, on the slopes, and to keep us all connected.
Technology in the classroom – and for studying around the world
For the past several years, CVA teachers have used an online platform, eBackpack, to post homework assignments for their classes. It is a convenient way to share directions and post readings. Since every teacher uses it, students only have to go to one place to see all their homework assignments and they can use it whether they are on campus or traveling. This platform has significantly enhanced the communication between teachers and students during the busy travel season - a vast improvement from the large printed packets our alumni may remember! Beyond eBackpack, many teachers are using different forms of technology to diversify their classroom activities: Anders Samuelson’s English students create and curate their own Wordpress websites. In addition to creating a site specifically for English class, the students are encouraged to create their own sites as a means of exploring the blogosphere. Joanna Snell’s Spanish class uses the apps Kahoot! and Quizalize to create fun and competitive test review activities. Both apps initiate peer-led discussions through quizzing, collaboration and presentation of content but with the excitement and competitive spirit of gaming. They also provide resources that help teachers analyze their students’ performance in real time. Steve Sitz’s business class participates each year in the interactive Stock Market Game, where each student is given $100,000 to invest in the stock market or to hold in cash. Investments are made using the actual NYSE and NASDAQ markets and the game tracks their portfolios, gains and losses, and history similar to an actual online trading platform. Dave Koenig’s calculus class used the generous funding from the Parent Support Organization grant program to purchase twelve Edison robots, which allow students to learn basic programming skills and mechanics. Best of all, these robots are compatible with Legos, allowing multiple Edison robots to be combined into a more complex machine.
Technology On The Slopes
Coaches and athletes must be able to capture and review real time performance data. We chatted with some of our CVA coaches who shared the technology they are using to help our athletes continue to improve. Coach’s Eye uses the iPad’s video feature to capture footage of a training or competition run, which can then be immediately reviewed by the coach and athlete using slow-motion and the ability to draw right on the screen. “Eye-Fi” takes it one step further by connecting a chip into the coach’s camera, so the video is sent instantly via Bluetooth to the iPad and uploaded into Coach’s Eye. This increases efficiency and the flow of training by allowing the athlete to review the footage immediately after the run, allowing for real-time adjustments. It also allows a coach to capture data on the next athlete coming down the hill while the previous athlete is reviewing their film, which makes for better use of everyone’s time and more runs taken. CVA Athletic Trainer Tristy Wolfe and Human Performance Director Shelby Downing use Coach’s Eye for analyzing movement patterns during athletic testing, to teach proper form and prevent injuries. Free Lap Portable Timing system: The convenience of being able to travel with a portable timing mechanism that fits in a backpack was appealing not only to CVA but also to the U.S. National Snowboard Team, where CVA Snowboard Program Director Alex Tuttle first saw the technology being used at the XGames. Free Lap consists of two receiver hoops that send out a magnetic signal which is then received by watches the athletes wear. The receivers can be placed at the start, middle and finish of the course to be used as a timing system with the results being instantly sent to each athlete’s watch. That information can also be downloaded to the coach’s computer to be used for analysis. The efficiency of this systems frees up an incredible amount of time for the coach to do more one-on-one analysis and the athletes to increase the amount of training laps Avalanche Airbags will be included on the mandatory list of safety gear this year for our ALPS program athletes. The use of avalanche airbags is at a turning point such that the bags are being adopted by both institutional organizations and by individual recreationalists as ‘standard’ gear. ALPS Program Director Patrick Scanlan looks forward to helping his student athletes become familiar with the bags while at the same time working with them to learn how and when to make the right
decisions so ideally they never have to actually deploy them. Humac Balance System: Trainer Tristy Wolfe uses the HUMAC Balance System to complete baseline testing on all athletes as part of CVA’s concussion management protocol. The system, coupled with an ultrasound machine, enhances the athlete’s post-injury rehabilitation plan.
Two Generations Share Why They Support CVA
KIRSTEN CLARK RICKENBACH ’95
GEORGE AND JOAN CLARK P ’92 ’95
Kirsten competed for the U.S. in three Winter Olympics (1998, “Life is a gift; we still live in the first house we ever bought 2002, and 2006) and six World Championships, winning the on Panther Pond in Raymond, ME. We still spend some time silver medal in the Super G in 2003. at Sugarloaf amid all the fond memories of when the kids were involved with ski programs and CVA. We still ski some, and Joan is busy with golf and pickle ball to keep her busy. What is your life like now? For the past 18 years I’ve been living in Squaw Valley, California. Restoring our sailboat keeps me busy, and soon we will be Andreas and I have two daughters: Kasey (8) and Tegan(6). spending a lot of time on it.” The girls are part of the weekend program here and love the mountains as much as we do! Andreas is a custom home What did the CVA experience do for your children? builder and I run the office. We have been doing this for 20+ Kirsten lived everyone’s CVA dream, but we feel she got much years. I recently started a new adventure - selling real estate. more out of the CVA experience than just the National and World acclaim that she achieved. Confidence in her own abilities, learning how to manage her time commitments to What do you remember most about CVA? My experience at CVA is unforgettable. The small classroom satisfy all the demands that the schedule at CVA requires, and environment was like no other -- there was no chance to slip learning how to pick herself back up and keep going when through any cracks and get lost in the shuffle. The friendships things didn’t work out the way she wanted are all attributes I forged during my time at CVA are friendships which will last that she continues to exhibit as she and Andreas build a life a lifetime; we may not always be in touch on a daily basis, but for themselves and their family. when we can get together the CVA spirit shines bright. The busy schedule of a student at CVA prepared me for life by Why is giving back to CVA important to you? teaching me time management, something that I use every CVA contributed so much to the development of both Sean day and try to teach to my children. “ '92 and Kirsten '95 that giving back to the school just seems like the natural thing to do. The environment that is at the core of the CVA experience is something that we feel is so Why is giving back to CVA important to you? The gift that my parents gave to me to be able to attend CVA important to young kids as they mature and get ready to move was tremendous. Being able to contribute back to the school out on their own. The experience at CVA was a tremendous and help someone else attend this incredible place is a gift in complement to how we wanted to raise our kids and turn them out into the world. itself.
Academic Planning
Academic planning is often thought of as simply choosing courses for the next school year. While that is a very important component of the process, at CVA we believe that academic planning has a larger role to play, that of guiding students as they learn to work within - and get the most out of - our college bound culture.
The students’ interests are then matched up with potential colleges. That leads to understanding the metrics that those colleges are looking for such as: GPA and how it is calculated, SAT/ACT scores, and the admissions interview. Knowing what specific colleges are looking for is critical information for creating each student’s individual plan.
We begin by focusing on behavior, teaching students to control what they can control. That means learning how to approach and complete homework while on campus and also while traveling on the road; learning how teachers view students’ academic efforts, and what goes into writing a strong college recommendation; becoming aware of the effect that work ethic and attitude have on academic results; and learning how to build relationships and communicate appropriately with teachers.
The choice of courses that a student takes each year is also a vital part of the academic plan. Starting with the admissions interview, we talk with families about athletic and academic goals as the basis for creating a long-term program that will open as many doors as possible, so that when the student graduates, he/she has several viable alternatives. We offer multiple course progressions that allow each student to create a personal academic road map.
Teaching students to take responsibility for controlling what they can and planning for the long-term is a multi-step, multiyear process. The process of learning about, and eventually choosing colleges to apply to starts in advisory meetings where the students, with the guidance of the teacher and the survey resources in the Naviance system, reflect on their lives and what they know about themselves. Self-awareness and the ability to articulate that awareness is the first step in considering what vocations and avocations may be of interest.
CVA’s Academic Philosophy
Each winter the director of student planning engages teachers, coaches, advisors, the director of guidance, parents and students in the process of helping each student choose the courses for the coming school year and look beyond to determine if his/her personal academic road map needs adjusting. Taken into account are the student’s athletic goals, the reality of time and training, potential college matches, and graduation requirements. Academic planning is a very thoughtful and comprehensive process at CVA and is the foundation upon which a student’s academic career is built.
CVA strives to provide an environment and academic program that develops independent thinkers who can successfully balance rigorous academics and athletics with being constructive members of the community. We do so by using individualized instruction to assure that students with a variety of learning styles achieve academic success in areas that match their college and career aspirations.
An Interview with Shelby Downing, Human Performance Director Tell us about your background: I grew up in The Forks, Maine, home of the Kennebec River Valley. The Kennebec Gorge is to The Forks what Sugarloaf Mountain is to Carrabassett Valley. I began kayaking at age twelve and became the first teenager and one of the first women to ever kayak “the gorge.” It was not just the whitewater that I loved, it was also things like hiking the river banks and tributaries and discovering secret waterfalls and shelters from the the log driving days. I knew every nook and cranny of that river. At fourteen I began slalom kayak racing and was the top junior woman in the country for three years. I understand what can happen when hard work, love of a sport, and love of nature intersect. My experiences growing up on the river formed the foundation of who I am today.
When I was 15 years old, my kayak coach wanted me to improve my upper body strength. A year later I was breaking teenage national powerlifting records and winning teenage national championships. My powerlifting career culminated with two world records and world titles, representing the United States at seven world championships, and earning 25 out of 28 possible medals at the world championships. Near the end of my career I was coaching at an international level and working on completing a masters degree in kinesiology. I was the first woman to ever be on the coaching staff at an IPF men’s powerlifting world championship. Help us understand what Human Performance is: “Human Performance” is a relatively new title. Historically, a strength and conditioning coach focused on improving an athlete’s physical health. With advancements in sports science we understand more than ever that to be the best you can be, overall health and well-being, not just physical health, must be part of the equation. CVA’s Human Performance (HP) program considers the long-term, overall health and well-being of an athlete. Attaining optimal human performance is an ongoing, lifelong process that requires hard work, knowledge, skills, and a commitment not only to seek healthy choices, but also to take action towards those choices. Athletes need to check in on their commitment level on a daily basis! What steps am I taking today to make me a better athlete and person? Tell me how Human Performance is used at CVA: CVA HP is in its early stage of development. Just like training a body is a step by step process, building a program also has a starting point. Step one is building connections with
the athletes and coaches and offering programs that are relevant, motivational and educational. All too often, dryland training is reduced to agility drills and weight lifting. This fall, CVA’s HP program will: 1 Offer all-school weekend activities that motivate and inspire student-athletes to work hard as individuals and as teams and that build school spirit. 2 Take advantage of the training opportunities offered by CVA fields and the amazing and inspiring natural surroundings in the valley: hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and soccer. 3 Offer traditional dryland programs involving running, agility drills, skills, and weightlifting. 4 Explore educational topics including: Nutrition, Daily Wellness Questions, Managing Controllable Performance Factors, and Training Log Commitment. 5 Implement a grading system for HP training. CVA HP combines science, education, intentional dryland programming using periodization and the progressive overload principle, and fun and challenging activities that inspire teamwork and commitment to ensure that CVA athletes reach their highest athletic potential. What are challenges you face as an HP professional: The general public, young athletes, and even many HP professionals are confused. The HP industry is driven by marketing and economics. Everyone is searching for a magic path to optimal performance and the marketing world is happy to sell that magic program. Conflicting and invalid information is readily available on the web, and valid topics are often exploited for economic benefit. Core stability training is a perfect example of a valid topic that has been exploited. More often than not, the best and latest core workout is simply an abdominal routine. A human performance professional must know what their core beliefs are in the HP world. If they constantly change their philosophy in response to the “next best thing,” their athletes will never get anywhere. Today, young athletes are not following a linear progression and not thinking about each workout as a building block to the next. When considering new research, an HP professional needs to ask: Who conducted this research? Is the researcher biased? Is the science really new, or is it old science that has been repackaged? It is a balancing act between standing strong in a personal philosophy, researching appropriately, and being open to valid new science.
Photography: Then and Now
In the 1980s and 1990s, John Ritzo’s photography class was a staple art offering at CVA. During the photography industry’s transition from film to digital technology, the class that many students loved faded away in 2002. Since then, digital photography has grown to recapture the artistic curiosity of today’s students. For the 2015/2016 school year, CVA officially rekindled photography with unexpected success. In this inaugural year back as a for-credit academic offering, photography, led by art teacher Waylon Wolfe gave ten students instruction in the basics Damon Bayles '96 - in the darkroom of the medium and beyond. In addition to learning basic photography skills, students are exposed to all genres. During this exploration, students find their own style and learn to express themselves through their imagery. To appreciate the roots of photography, current students also shoot with film cameras and develop their images in John Ritzo’s old darkroom. It creates a nostalgic connection between the photography students of the past and those from the present. Although the technical aspects of photography have changed over the years, the art form at its core has remained, and ignited a new love of photography among the current generation of Big Dogs. It’s great that the long-time tradition of CVA photography has Current photography student Jack Joyce '17 returned and students can again create memories and art with their cameras.
Amy Witherspoon ’03:
Highlights from her 2016 Commencement Address Current town: Washington, D.C. CVA Discipline: Alpine Racing
College: Middlebury Employer: KIPP DC Connect Academy
“When Kate asked me to come speak at your graduation, I was definitely honored but, I’ll admit, I was confused: I wasn’t an Olympian, a valedictorian with perfect grades, I didn’t turn into a brain surgeon and I’m certainly not making millions in some executive role. I am here because I chose to take a different path. I chose a career that I was passionate about. You see, just yesterday I got to help and assist 300 of my clients and their families. My clients happen to be three through six years old, and it is my job to make sure that they have the same opportunities to follow their dreams just like you all are about to do.” “I have CVA to thank for sending me to the inner city of DC and bringing me to these kids. CVA allowed me to realize and commit to my passion of skiing. I thought this was my sole passion and what would drive me through college and the rest of my life. I didn’t realize this in high school, but what motivates and drives you can change. It led me to get this job, which means CVA has probably helped you foster your passion and start you on this journey to discover what it is that really drives you.” “I want you to learn from my journey, from my search to find myself. This next year, the 24 of you will probably all follow different paths. If you don’t know what you’re doing next year, then please survey all opportunities that you have but please choose only those that you are passionate about. Don’t do something next year because you think you have to. You need to ask yourself, ‘What is it that will light the fire inside you?’ My first ask of you as graduates of the CVA class of 2016 is to do just that and be reflective by asking yourself that simple question, ‘what is making me happy and excited to get up every morning?’ This will help you to determine what you are passionate about and bring the necessary joy that I believe you need to bring meaning to your life every day.” “My second ask is for you to realize how fortunate you are and to help others. Some of you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to follow your dreams. Your world is your oyster. So please do help others who may need it.”
CVA By the Numbers 2016/2017 Student Body Snapshot • • • • •
84 Student-athletes 32% female/68% male 39% day students/61% boarding students 54% of the students are from Maine 7% of the students are International
• • • •
25% of the students are from New England states other than Maine 14% of the students are from states other than New England 64% are with us for the full 9-month term 12% are in middle school, 80% are in high school, 8% are post-graduates
2016/2017 Financial Aid
Endowment
• 59% of CVA students receive financial aid • Average aid awarded = $17,366
• Endowment as of June 30, 2016 = $1,193,643 • Endowment Growth over 5 years: + 34.97%
2016/2017 Budgeted Revenue & Expenses Expenses
Revenue • • • • •
80% Tuition & Program Fees 10% Auxiliary Programs 6.5% Fundraising 2.5 % Misc. Income (Other) 1% Endowment
• • • • •
Fundraising (2016 Fiscal Year)
30% Instructional/Programming 24% Administrative/Business Operations 20% Scholarship/Assistance 19% Plant/ Vehicle/Food 7% Auxiliary Programs
$15,048
$18,000
Total Funds Raised
Annual Fund $163,500 Scholarship Event $102,176 NCC: Academic Center $805,916 NCC: Endowment $38,105 Comp Center Campaign $1,566,539 Wreath Sale $15,048 Designated Athletic $18,000 Total $2,709,284
$163,500 $102,176 Annual Fund Scholarship Event NCC: Academic Center $805,916
$1,566,539
NCC: Endowment Competition Center campaign Wreath sale Designated athletic
$38,105
Giving Per Group Group
Current Parents Employee/Former Employee Former/Honorary Trustee Foundation Friends Alumni Alumni Parents Business/Organizations Grandparents Trustees TOTAL
# of Donors 64 28 14 8 438 135 173 29 22 21 932
Average Per Donor $661 $447 $6,553 $158,895 $2,030 $356 $1,395 $4,798 $418 13,264 $2,907
% participation 46.6 40.1 26.9 N/A 13.5 11.4 12.7 22.2 14.7 100!
Bill & Joan Alfond Competition Center In December 2015 CVA received a $1 million lead gift from The Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation to build a new competition center, which provided just the momentum the CVA Board needed to put this exciting project in motion. Bolstered by the commitment and support of partners Sugarloaf and the Sugarloaf Ski Club, CVA officially launched the effort to make this long-awaited dream become a reality. The Ski Club had the vision, the Academy took the reins, and Sugarloaf and the entire Carrabassett Valley community has been tremendously supportive. The Bill & Joan Alfond Competition Center is about much more than racing and competition – it is a multi-generational, fourseason gathering space, providing a warm and welcoming venue for athletes, coaches and Sugarloaf friends. The building, which is owned by CVA, draws upon Sugarloaf’s rich heritage, including intentional visibility of the strong structural elements of the original gondola station and a custom-built fireplace honoring the globally recognized Sugarloaf logo. The Center serves as the base for Sugarloaf’s world-class competition department, is the home of the Sugarloaf Ski Club (1400 members strong) and the hub of CVA’s Weekend Program. During the summer months Sugarloaf will use the facility for weddings and conferences. Just as importantly, the facility serves as an on-mountain extension of CVA’s campus, “it puts us right where we need to be to better support our current athletes and families, inspire the next generation, and keep our programs strong and connected,” remarked CVA Head Of School Kate Webber Punderson. “The new competition center is the latest evidence of CVA’s and Sugarloaf’s commitment to world-class training and competition venues and events, and we look forward to welcoming the nation again this March for the U.S. Alpine Championships.” Key features in the Bill & Joan Alfond Competition Center include: • The Gondola Room, a large multi-use space w/ warming kitchen and signature Sugarloaf fireplace • “Heritage” conference room • Artistically designed lobby dedicated to the H. King Cummings Family • Offices for Sugarloaf Competition Department and CVA Coaching Staff • Office/meeting space for the Sugarloaf Ski Club • Dedicated team rooms for use by Colby & UMF and space for local middle and high school teams • Weekend Program and CVA coaches’ locker room • Club locker room for Sugarloaf Ski Club members • Tuning/waxing room • Athletic trainers’ room • Equipment repair workshop & snowmobile garage Fundraising for the project has gone incredibly well, with $2 million raised from 185 donors. Longtime Sugarloafer Linwood Doble served as the Construction Manager for the project and led a team of incredibly talented and primarily local craftsmen through a rigorous summer of construction, which began in May 2016 and will be complete by mid-November. Together we are fostering friendships, instilling a lifelong love of winter and making competitive dreams come true for generations to come. We look forward to December 2016 when we will gather together to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment and revel in the power of collective generosity.
We Need Your Help:
The Harold Alfond Foundation Challenge In May 2015 CVA received a fantastic challenge grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation to address our most urgent organizational financial priority: eliminating the construction debt on the new academic center, which opened in September 2013. The Challenge requires CVA to secure $536,000 in new gifts and commitments by December 31, 2016 to trigger the first phase of the proposal, a $500,000 matching gift that will completely eliminate the debt. When the matching funds are secured, the academic center will be formally named to honor Peter and Martha Webber. Once that is complete, CVA will work with the 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.
As of October 20, 2016 we are still $198,000, away – we need to raise this money by December 31, 2016 to meet the Challenge match! All new campaign gifts and signed pledges received by CVA before December 31, 2016 will count toward the first phase of this Challenge, essentially doubling the impact of your gift. Please consider making a gift which can be paid over 1, 2 or 3 years - many supporters find that making a multi-year commitment allows them to make a more meaningful gift that better fits their budget.
Make your gift commitment now and help us meet our match. Every dollar helps us meet this challenge!
For more information about how you can be a part of the CVA Challenge contact: Kate O’Halloran, Director of Development and Alumni Connections kohalloran@goCVA.com 207.237.4498
valle
y
a
c a r ra
demy ca
ba
ett ss
su
g arloaf
Program Directors
KRAIG SOURBEER
ALPINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND HEAD U19 MENS COACH
A USSA level 500 coach and former World Cup competitor, Kraig Sourbeer brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to CVA. Following his graduation from Burke Mountain Academy in the 1980s, Kraig raced with the US Ski Team on the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits. He then headed to the University of Vermont, where he earned a degree in Education with a Certificate of Athletic Training. Over the next thirteen years Kraig gained valuable organizational, managerial and leadership skills at the helm of Mt. Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Smugglers Notch Ski and Snowboard Club. From 2004 to 2010, Kraig worked with USSA and the U.S. Ski Team, where he coached athletes at the Nor Am, EuropaCup and World Cup levels while delivering skill development to some of the nation’s fastest athletes. He has spent the last six years coaching U16 and U19 boys at Burke Mountain Academy helping many athletes reach the US Ski Team and upper level college teams.
NATE MCKENZIE
FREESTYLE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND HEAD MOGUL COACH
After attending the UMF ski industries program, Nate founded the Freeski program at CVA seventeen years ago. Since then he has coached six athletes to the X Games, and he remains the Program Director for the longest running and best freeski program in the country. His qualifications include Level I U.S. Gymnastics, Level II USSA moguls, and level IV USSA Aerials.
ALEX TUTTLE ’09
SNOWBOARD & SKI CROSS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Alex officially joined the CVA Snowboard coaching staff in 2015. As a two-time AllAmerican and scholar athlete, Alex was named to the Pac Sun All-American Team, two Junior World Championship Teams, and eventually the U.S. Snowboarding Team in 2011. His World Cup profile contains nine top-20 finishes, including a second place finish in Valmalenco, Italy, a third place finish in the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix at Canyons in Utah, and a second place finish at the 2014 X-Games in Aspen Colorado. At the pinnacle of competition, Alex was ranked 12th overall for the 201213 World Cup, and contended for an Olympic Team nomination in 2014. He is a level 300 coach.
PATRICK SCANLAN
ALPS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Patrick Scanlan brings years of experience to CVA, ranging from backcountry and big mountain skiing, ski mountaineering, rock climbing, and adventure travel. Patrick is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he earned a dualdegree in Kinesiology and Outdoor Education and Environmental Conservation. Previously, Patrick worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club as a backcountry site manager in Tuckerman Ravine. There he worked and mentored with U.S. Forest Service avalanche specialists to build his knowledge and experience in snow science, mountain rescue, and risk management. Patrick’s industry certifications and trainings include: American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor, SOLO Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level II, MWAC Avalanche Rescue Course, and Leave No Trace Trainer.
Weekend Program As the 2016-17 ski/snowboard season approaches, we celebrate almost 50 years of the Weekend Program.
The Weekend Program was created to teach athletes how to compete in skiing/snowboarding and to instill the lifelong love of those sports. WP athletes are committed to improving their skiing and riding, pursuing dreams, having fun and most importantly to being a part of a supportive community that embraces the values of hard work, teamwork, and respect. USSA recognized CVA for teaching those values and for developing athletes of all levels and ages. Last season, 169 WP athletes from ME, NH, CT and MA trained and competed every weekend and vacation weeks from late November through March in alpine, freestyle, snowboard, and ski cross, under the guidance of 35 coaches. They met with success at every level; a very large number of athletes qualified for post-season events. As importantly, the athletes learned the lessons that these sports teach: how to win, how to lose, how to win and lose against friends, how to deal with adversity, and the importance of a caring community.
“Our kids look forward to the Weekend Program every year. There is a special sense of camaraderie between the kids and the coaches. The kids learn to set goals, to try and to fail, and to try again. They trust their coaches, knowing that they’ve faced similar challenges in their own training. They look to each other for support and encouragement. This becomes a wonderful platform when they start competing, because they learn to focus on their own achievement, rather than on how well someone else is doing. We are very proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish at CVA!” -Jeff and Karla DiDonato, parents of freestyle WP athletes, Ryan and Cameron
Meet the new Alpine Weekend Program Manager: Ron Bonnevie
Ron Bonnevie joins CVA with 38 years of alpine coaching experience with all age groups. He started his coaching career in the late `70’s in the Mt. Washington Valley, NH, arriving in Maine in 1980 to coach the UMF ski team while earning his BA. In 1985, after a year of coaching at Squaw Valley, CA, Ron came east to New York to earn his masters in physical education at SUNY Cortland, where he also lead the Greek Peak Ski Club for 5 years. In 1990 Ron returned to New England, landing at the Green Mountain Valley School, coaching and teaching there for 9 years. From 1999-2009 Ron was the head of coaches’ education in the Ski Industries Program at the University of Maine, Farmington. Since returning to Maine in 1999, Ron has coached at Shawnee Peak, Titcomb, Black Mountain and Sugarloaf, and has done independent coaching & ski camps in the West, Europe, and South America. He was most recently program director for the Saddleback Ski Club.
Training Trips Around the World Alpine 2016:
June: Mammoth Lakes, CA- GS and SG training July: Amneville, France- indoor SL training August: Mt. Hood, OR- SL training November: Summit County, CO- GS and SL training
ALPS 2016- 2017:
November: West Virginia - rock climbing December: Wyoming - backcountry skiing and Level 1 Avalanche course January-February: LaGrave, France- big mountain skiing March: Chic Chocs, Quebec- backcountry skiing
Freestyle 2016:
June-August: Moguls and Freeski at Lake Placid -water ramps sessions June: Moguls in Whistler, BC July: Trampoline and Skate Camp at CVA August: Freeride in Argentina, South America September: Water Ramps: Lake Placid, NY November: Elite Freeski in Stubai, Austria Development Freeski in CO Moguls in CO December: Moguls, Freeride, and Freeski at Summit County, CO Moguls at Apex, BC Canada
Snowboard 2016:
June: Slopestyle at Whistler, BC June: Snowboard Cross at Mt. Hood, OR July: Trampoline and Skate Camp at CVA November: Elite Slopestyle at Stubai, Austria November: Elite Snowboard Cross at Pitztal, Austria December: Development and Elite Slopestyle Summit County, CO
Photo by Doug Williams
CVA announces the creation of the Evan Quinn Endowed Scholarship Fund
In Memoriam: Evan Quinn ’04 1985-2016
An avid snowboarder and a lover of the outdoors, Evan Quinn passed away on June 6, 2016. At CVA Evan flourished as a student, snowboarder, competitive athlete and as a person. The Quinn family felt the most fitting way to pay tribute to this wonderful young man was to create a meaningful legacy designed to provide an opportunity for other student athletes to foster their love of snowboarding and the outdoors. The Evan Quinn Endowed Scholarship Fund will give preference to applicants or students who are part of the CVA Snowboard Program and who have a demonstrated financial need. The first recipient will be selected in the Fall of 2016. For more information, please contact: Kate O’Halloran, Director of Development & Alumni Connections 207.237.4498 | kohalloran@goCVA.com | www.goCVA.com/give
BIG Dog Profile: Jeannie Eisberg ‘97 Current town: San Francisco, CA Hometown: New York, NY CVA Discipline: Alpine Racing Jeannie Eisberg ’97 credits CVA with inspiring and preparing her for a life filled with learning, work, and adventures. After CVA, Jeannie attended Dartmouth College where she majored in History and Asian Studies, was a member of the Alpine Ski Team, and earned All-American honors her senior year. After graduation she moved to California and worked at a policy research firm, studying school reform initiatives and programs for out-of-school youth. She earned a Master’s degree in City & Regional Planning from U.C. Berkeley and spent the next several years working as a planning consultant preparing comprehensive citywide strategies that envisioned future development, zoning, infrastructure, open space, and transportation systems. She spent time working in Honolulu on neighborhood plans focused on a planned passenger rail system, in the Central Valley of California working on regional plans to reduce sprawl and retain agricultural land, and created a revitalization plan for a low-income community in San Diego. Two years ago Jeannie started her own consulting practice, Lexington Planning, which helps cities and developers evaluate and build affordable and market rate housing, retail development, preserve open space, and plan for the future. Having her own business has given her more flexibility in how she organizes her day and life. She’s also been studying Spanish for several years which inspired her to travel and study in Mexico, South America, and Spain. In turn, these adventures motivated her to volunteer as an ESL tutor at a high school for recent immigrants. Still an avid outdoor enthusiast, Jeannie and her partner take advantage of California’s good weather and big mountains to ski, hike, bike, and fish. Jeannie appreciates that her CVA experience provided her with the discipline and skills required to be successful in the working world. “CVA taught me to manage my time, stay organized, and prioritize tasks. More specifically, I learned that writing is rewriting, I learned to stay calm under pressure (community members can get emotional at public meetings so sometimes I get yelled at), and I learned to use visualization to anticipate and prepare for events. Even now when I have a big day ahead I’ll take two minutes in the morning to visualize how the day will go.”
BIG Dog Tales 1986
specifically with Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin.
Trustees; Jamie also serves on the Development Committee.
Marie Leary ’89 is the Head of School at The Sage School in Foxboro, MA.
1999
Caryn Stoll ’89 married Howard Unger July 30, 2016 in Napa, CA.
1991
Eric Chamberlin ’86 married Brigitte Lavillette in France in June 2016.
1987
Erin Kay ’99 and Connor Shankman welcomed their first child, Odin KayShankman, on October 21, 2015.
2000
Chuck Simpson ’91 and wife Bianca welcomed their daughter Esther Marguerite Simpson on October 6, 2016.
1992 Nora Stowell writes, “received the 2016 Pioneering Woman Award from the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition in Boulder, CO on December 17, 2015.”
1994 Jeremiah Boobar married Rachelle Frazer in October 2015.
Ned Ervin ’00 and his wife Erica welcomed their son, Henry Charles Ervin, into their family on March 30, 2016. Henry and his father now share a birthday.
2001
Chris Denny ’87 and his fellow Sugarloafer partner Halsey Hewson finished 3rd in the 2016 Jackson Hole Powder 8s competition. Overall CVA had two alumni finish in the top 8: Denny and Brendan Levine ’01.
1989
Alumnus and Board Member Seth Wescott ’94 married Kitt Redhead on the shores of Flagstaff Lake on October 2, 2016.
1997 Stephan von Schilcher ’97, his wife Becky and their eldest son Johann welcomed Oskar Simms to their family. Bode Miller ’97 and his wife Morgan Beck welcomed their first child together, Nash Skan Miller, in May 2015.
1998 Mike Day ’89 will return to the U.S. National Ski Team to serve as the women’s head coach, working
Jamie Potter ’98 married Meneah Haworth in Camden, ME in October 2015. Jamie (and his mother Bonnie) are both members of CVA Board of
Erik Kankainen ’01 and his wife Jacqueline welcomed their first son, Connor, on October 30, 2015. Jeremy Weir ’01 and his wife Brittany Kim welcomed their son, Levi, in November 2015.
2002 Chris Burgess ’02 and his wife Erin welcomed their son, Archer Burgess, into their family on May 22, 2016.
BIG Dog Tales Nate welcomed their daughter, Hadley Winter, to their family on February 5, 2016.
2005 Dylan Perry ’05 is enrolled in the Harvard Combined Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency program. Andrew Willihan ’02 is now the Head Alpine Coach at UMF. He will direct all aspects of the coaching and management of the UMF men’s and women’s Alpine ski program. Andrew will also be on the Alpine Operations Certificate Program staff, assisting in all areas related to snow sports in and out of the classroom, and will be the UMF Mainely Outdoors Events Coordinator where he will develop and coordinate outdoor recreation programs and workshops for students, faculty, staff and the community. Andrew’s roles at UMF will serve to strengthen an already important partnership between CVA and UMF. This brought a 7-year stint of living in Murfey Hall to an end as Andrew, Hannah and pup Sluice purchased a new home in Wilton, ME in August 2016. They are looking forward to enjoying fresh pears and apples from their new fruit trees and Sluice can’t wait to stalk all the ducks in the lake across the street.
Zack Brandwein ’05 finished his third and final year of law school at the University of Tulsa College of Law and will join Bernstein Shur law firm In Portland, Maine this fall.
Derek Pike ’06, is still living in Los Angeles and directing. He recently sold his first feature length script and also started a Virtual Reality (VR) company with Raphy Haddock ’87 called RareVR. He also recently directed a music video for the song “Don’t You Need Somebody” by the Grammy Award Winning RedOne which was shot on the New York Street set at MB studios in Manhattan Beach, CA.
2007 Adam Weil ’07 lives in NYC and serves on CVA’s Investment Committee Julia Coffin ’05 married Glenn Barnes on July 30, 2016 at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center surrounded by family, friends, and lots of former Big Dogs!
Evan Schwartz ’08 graduated from the University of Vermont.
Sam Witherspoon ’05 finished the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon in 11:28. Way to go, Sam!
Colin Campbell ’08 started medical school at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in the fall of 2016.
Rachel Goodermote ’05 married Shawn Rath on October 1, 2016 in Vermont.
Liam Wentworth ’08 married Devan Anne in Salt Lake City in October 2015.
2006
Bridget O’Hickey ’08 is attending University of Texas School of Law
2008
2009
Sawyer Fahy ’02 married Stephanie Schwartz in August at the Carrabassett Regional Airport. Many CVA alumni, faculty and coaches were in attendance.
2003 Sally Swallow ’03 married Zach Maxwell in June 2016. Anne Cuttler Hicks ’03 and her husband
Jake Payson ’06 married Robin Chace at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center on August 20, 2016. Ben Manter ’06 married Katie D’Angelo in Harpswell, ME in July 2016.
Cailey Stewart ’09 married Peter Gibson in Barrie, Ontario on September 18, 2015. She was joined at the ceremony by fellow Big Dogs Melissa Raleigh ’09, Emilie Garand ’10, Alison Digravio ’09 and Anne Rockwell ’10.
BIG Dog Tales alumnus Scott Hogg ’09 was also in his graduating Ranger class.
Former Employees
Christian Beauregard ’11 graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maine in May 2016 with a major in biology and minor in chemistry. Colton Ransom ’11 graduated from St. Lawrence University. Sierra Leavitt ’11 graduated from Colby College
2012
Alex Tuttle ’09 and his wife Noelle welcomed their first child, Alder May Tuttle, to their family on August 8, 2016. This has been a big year for Alex as he also became the new Snowboard Program Director at CVA!
2010 Madison Anders ’10 graduated from Salem State College in December 2015 with a degree in English and Education. Emilie Garand ’10 was promoted to full time Head U16 women’s coach at CVA. This fall she will be reliving her “glory days” and moving back into Murfey Hall…to become a dorm parent.
Julia Savage ’12 graduated from Bates College in May, 2016. During her senior year she became President of the Bates Outing Club and returned to CVA as a speaker on the College Admissions Panel.
2013 Jamie Marshall ’13 was named to the National All-Academic Ski Team. Of note, the alpine ski team at ColbySawyer is the smartest of all their athletic teams.
2016
Alums from the 80’s and 90’s will remember former employee Jeff Byrne, who shared the news with us that his daughter Molly Byrne and her husband Scott welcomed their first child, a son, on April 23, 2016.
Send Us Your Big Dog Tales! We are always collecting Big Dog Tales for next year’s Spillway magazine and we’d love to include YOU: Have you recently been married, had a baby, got a new job, won an award, had an athletic achievement, moved, or are pursuing a degree? Please send your information to:
2011
Sarah Hinman, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Connections, at shinman@goCVA.com.
ett ss
valle
y
a
c a r ra
demy ca
Patrick Beauregard ’11 graduated from Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, GA on July 15, 2016 and will be stationed in Fairbanks, AK with his new yellow lab puppy Allie (short for Allagash). As coincidence would have it, fellow CVA
On May 28, 2016, CVA welcomed the class of 2016 as its newest alumni. Amoung the graduates were Will Parrish, Tommy Maune, Dev Thomas, Mike Hayes, Chase Blakely, James Hatch, Andrew Bandar, Sean Sullivan, Andrew Dobson, Alex Habig, Dylan Klein, Chris McCall, Alex Robinson, Hale Davies, MacKenzie Carr, Erica Jenson, Kelsie Grant, Anna Drumstas, Fallon Grant, Bianca Marcello, Grace Holstein, Shelby Battistelli, and Abi Zagnoli.
ba
Please include a photo if possible.
su
g arloaf
official outerwear partner of carrabassett valley academy
valle
y
a
c a r ra
demy ca
ba
ett ss
su
Carrabassett Valley Academy 3197 Carrabassett Drive Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
g arloaf
Carrabassett Valley Academy