Wrap-Up

The atmosphere at the Jackson Gore Round House on Sunday, March 24, was filled with a mix of nostalgia and excitement as students, staff, and families gathered to mark the end of another successful year at Okemo Mountain School. The Closing Ceremony was a bittersweet occasion, honoring the achievements of student-athletes while bidding farewell to graduating seniors.

The ceremony kicked off with a heartfelt speech from Mariel, our Head of School, highlighting the academic and athletic accomplishments of the students throughout the year. Awards were presented to outstanding athletes in various disciplines, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship, as well as recognizing those who flourished with academics. We finished the night with the annual reading of Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.

Most of our seniors elected to speak at the ceremony. They shared their favorite memories from their time at OMS, and expressed gratitude toward staff members and friends who shaped their journey. We are incredibly proud of the individuals they have become.

Congratulations to the 2024 OMS Seniors!

Sam Hambsch - Alpine Racing
Tad D’Andrea - Alpine Racing
Carter Robinson - Alpine Racing
Sumner Orr - Snowboarding
Graham Stein - Alpine Racing

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Awards

Coach of the Year - Jet Robbins

Teacher of the Year - Aude Stengel

Middle School Head of School - Lucy Robinson

Presented by Claire Isherwood and Sabrina Easton. “This student effortlessly creates a welcoming environment for all. Her genuine care and compassion touches the hearts of everyone around her, making her not just a classmate, but a true friend to many. She embodies the OMS values of community and respect.

What sets this student apart is not just her warm demeanor, but also her impressive work ethic and organizational skills. Despite the chllaneges of academic rigors at OMS, she remains steadfast in her commitment to excellence. Her dedication to her studies if unwavering, and her meticulous approach to tasks sets her as a shining example of diligence and determination.

It is rare we see this student without a smile. She truly makes OMS a better place with her kindness, inclusivity, hard work, and positive attitude. Lucy Robinson, we are truly grateful for the light you bring to OMS. Congratulations on this well-deserved award.”

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OMS Seniors and their families

Spring Fling Raffle Winners

Thank you to everyone who sold and purchased Spring Fling Raffle tickets! The money raised from this raffle supports our scholarship fund.

$1,000 Winner
Julie Whalen

$200 Winner
Diane Zongker

$100 Winner
Michael Price

High School Head of School - Graham Stein

Presented by Mariel Meringolo. “This year’s recipient for the Head of School award is such a natural candidate that I had myself convinced he must have won it before.  However, I scoured records of past award winners and could not find his name!  I have known Graham Stein for quite some time now and had the pleasure of coaching him when he was just a U10 in Dale’s group. Ever since he was a U10, Graham Stein has always been focused and hard-working, setting a wonderful example for his peers in training, always ready to work hard and pay attention to his coaches.  His focus sometimes made him appear very serious, but as he has grown and matured, he has learned to embrace a lighter side of himself as well.  Once Graham began at OMS, I saw that his diligent focus extended to his academics as well.  Graham’s ski racing skills and academic merit are forces with which to reckon, but to round things out Graham is just an incredible community member.  Graham is the “mother hen” to his teammates when travelling, making sure that everyone else is organized and on top of things, planning meals and shopping lists, and making sure tasks are shared among teammates.   He is polite, respectful, and gracious, always kind to the younger student-athletes who look up to him.

It is this exceptional kindness to younger student-athletes that really sealed the deal for me for Graham to win this award.  Injured for almost the whole winter, Graham spent much more time at OMS (as opposed to travelling for races) than I know he imagined he would his senior year.  But nonetheless, Graham came to school with a positive attitude every day and I witnessed first-hand many thoughtful interactions with younger student-athletes, especially aspiring young males who undoubtedly see Graham as a shining example.  His words inspired confidence in them and helped to further the supportive culture that has been so clearly a part of our graduating U18s athletic success.   It has been an absolute privilege to watch Graham grow up here at OMS and is an honor to present him with this award.”

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Freeski Awards

presented by billy potter

“Skier of the Year” - Adelyn Meyenburg 

Out of our girls team, Addy stepped it up this year and has made excellent progress in many areas. She has made leaps and bounds in her confidence on the hill and has met some big goals that she had been working towards for a few years. Adelyn had to re-establish her seasonal halfpipe goals because she had met most of them halfway through the season. She’s been a great influence on the team, and brings her humor and positivity with her everyday. Big Congrats Adelyn. Keep up the hard work. 

“Skier of the Year” - Samuel Vincent

Sam rejoined us at OMS this season, he started at OMS in alpine and switched to freeski last season, joining us for our weekend program. This season he returned to OMS for Freeski. Whether Sam is working on a new rail trick, a new grab or rotation on a jump, or boosting ever higher out of the halfpipe, he is always determined to progress in some way each and every day. If you know Sam, you know he wants to bring everyone up with him and is a great teammate. Congrats Sam. 

“Charger of the Year” - Archie Weeple

The charger of the year award goes to Archie Weeple. This award highlights strong skiing fundamentals and creativity on the mountain. No matter what terrain we’re trying to tackle, Archie will approach it with a harmonious blend of finesse and power. Beyond freeski training, Archie just loves to ski. You’ll always find him out on the mountain exploring and enjoying the many facets of our sport. His passion for skiing is extremely prevalent, and passion is the heart of our sport. Congrats Archie. 

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snowboard Awards

presented by luke bonang, eddie johnson, matt fortuna & hobie chittenden

“Most Improved Female Rider of the Year” - Estelle Clark

Being brand new to this whole mountain school thing, Estelle has taken everything in stride and has improved immensely this season. Estelle had never set foot in a halfpipe and went from novice to a rider that can air out, spin back to back 360’s, and just learned a frontside 540!  

“Most Improved Male Rider of the Year” - Donovan Mosca

Donovan’s insane work ethic, has really pushed his riding to a new level this year! “Donny” is not afraid to try new tricks and is always keen on hiking rails until he gets the trick. This tenacity in training has led to a much improved rider from the start of the season.

“Charger of the Year” - Henry Bonang 

Henry pushes the envelope day in and day out in training and his passion for snowboarding and trying new things outweighs his fear of taking hard spills, which happen quite frequently to him.

“Coaches Award” - Keira Coyne

Keira is a gem to coach and is a great leader amongst the OMS girls squad. She is always positive, is eager to learn, and has improved greatly on her snowboard this season!

“Rider(s) of the year” - Max Rabdau and Tommy Okesson

This award must be shared by two of our older athletes who have been dedicated to training and progression and have killed it on the competition front. Tommy and Max competed in the Noram  qualifiers this year and ended up at the top of the leaderboard with a tie for first place in the USASA Future’s Tour. Both have received a spot at the NorAm slopestyle circuit for the 24/25 season.

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u18/U16 females & u16 males alpine racing awards

presented by bobby jones

“Most Improved”- Katie Boyle

Katie is the definition of work ethic. She shows up early to every session whether it be on snow or in the gym. She is always the first person to inspect, the first person to the gate and the last person on the hill on any training day. Her positivity and relentless hard work does not go unnoticed. Ski racing requires a tremendous amount of self discipline, self motivation and self coaching. To have success within the sport of ski racing it always requires these three attributes. Katie has mastered all of these traits. Congratulations to Katie on a successful first year of FIS, all of the OMS coaching staff looks forward to continuing to watch her growth in our sport.

“Coaches Award” - Cami Blount

Cami is truly a joy to work with on and off the hill. Her genuine love of the sport is one of Cami’s greatest strengths. This year Cami has advanced in her technical ability as well as with her tactical decision making in training and on race day. She’s always looking for feedback and other ways to improve her technique and get faster on race day. Cami has also demonstrated great leadership traits, whether it’s helping clean the van after a long road trip or even helping a younger athlete who’s struggling. Cami really hit her stride towards the end of this season, I am excited to see where the next season takes her! Congratulations Cami!

“Skier of the Year” - Emma van Heyst

Emma is truly a force to be reckoned with. Coaches and racers nationwide see the name van Heyst on the board and realize quickly it’s going to be a fight to find their way on the podium. This season Emma has had so much tactical growth, she could be faced with an almost impossible task and she will face it head on and without hesitation. Her growth in SL this season was the most impressive for me. She took something that she was visually frustrated with last season and turned it into one of her strongest disciplines. Her perseverance and true grit on the hill have been key elements to her success. I’m excited to continue working with Emma this season at U16 Nationals at Vail, Colorado next week and beyond. Congratulations Emma!

“Most Improved” - Ethan Laub

Ethan is hands down one of the hardest working skiers I’ve had the pleasure to coach. His dedication to learning and improving his technical and tactical skills has made him successful this season. Typically starting later in the sport of ski racing is often a drawback but not for Ethan. His efforts and desire to learn matched with his calm yet focused demeanor are key ingredients to his technical development and success this season. We are looking forward to seeing what Ethan does in his U18 years. Congratulations!

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u18 males alpine racing awards

presented by chris hurka

“The Comeback Kid” - Tad D’Andrea

The beginning of the year for Tad started well. On 1/9 he won a run at the FIS NJR SL at West Mountain. Looking to win the race on the following day he had a great run going and got hooked up on a  gate and twisted his ankle severely. At first he tried to brush it off and ski on after a couple days off but he quickly realized that it was worse than originally thought. After seeing Dr.Gammons they ruled out a fracture and had Tad take 3 weeks off with a severe high ankle sprain. Coming back from this he started racing again and building back to being able to push hard in his runs. Although not 100% he was able to ski well enough at the U18 National Qualifiers at Whiteface to make it to U18 Nationals. At Nationals, in rough conditions both days Tad was one of the biggest movers for the GS  and SL going from 28th to 17th and 54th to 26th respectively. It has been an awesome experience working with Tad over the last several years. He loves to compete in ski racing but he also loves freeskiing. I look forward to the upcoming years to see where he takes his skiing!

“Outstanding Skier Award” - Sam Hambsch

It has been a pleasure to work with Sam for the last 5 years. He is one of the hardest working kids I have ever met. He is also an amazing athlete. Sam has proven that he is solidly the fastest U18 SL skier on the East coast by winning both U18 SL Qualifiers at Proctor and then the U18 group for the coveted FISK Trophy Cup at his home mountain Saskadena Six. At the US Nationals SL after almost going out he came back and won the second run. This is a huge accomplishment in itself, but more importantly is that when reviewing the video he realized that he had hooked a tip on a gate and he self-reported the DQ to the jury. His honesty means a lot more to me than athletic accomplishment, even at such a high level of sport, and I think this really speaks to Sam's character. I am grateful to have worked with Sam over these years!

“Coaches Award” - Carter Robinson

I still have the memory of Carter when he was a U12 and he would come and tune skis with his father at the competition center and we would talk about tuning and racing and skiing. He seemed enamored with the sport as a little kid! He has come a long way from that time but he still is just a great kid who loves skiing on ski racing. This summer Carter was struggling with a bad back issue and was not able to exercise or workout until the late fall. That said he was able to start working out and start skiing and has had a great year making some really positive changes to his skiing. Carter deserves the coaches award because he works hard, is smart, responsible, a great friend and teammate to his peers, a good mentor to the younger athletes in the program and is a great ski racer who is passionate about the sport of skiing. OMS is very lucky to have had Carter in our program!

“Leader of the Pack Award” - Graham Stein

I consider myself really fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Graham Stein for the last 6 years. Graham is smart, reliable, hard working, and  a team player but most of all a natural leader. If I ever need something done from the group I would ask Graham and know that it would be taken care of and done right. Graham started his season skiing in Chile, Europe and was really starting to ski well in Colorado when he tore his ACL while training GS. True to character Graham started prehabbing right away for the surgery and did his research on the best place to get the surgery done. He is now pushing hard in recovery and I know he will come back stronger and more fit than even before.

“The Academic Athlete Award” - Dillon Poodiack

The first day that I met Dillon and his brothers Chase and Owen I was really impressed with how different they all were. I still remember thinking that Dillon was the academic of the group. That assessment was on point and years later Dillon still is the athlete who truly excels at his academics. I admit as a ski coach it was a little frustrating this season because Dillon always would put his academics before his skiing and he missed a lot of early season training because of it. That said, Dillon has had an excellent athletic year and is skiing faster and faster every week as well as continuing to overachieve in his schoolwork, a balance that is hard to find in this sport. I look forward to working with Dillon next season!

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u14 alpine racing awards

presented by jet robbins

“Male MVP” - Max Herzog

Max finished the season ranked 1st in the Mid-Vermont Council events. Winning every race that he finished. This qualified him as an automatic to Easterns. In the VT State Championships Max was ranked 3rd for the series, with a 5th in SG, 3rd in GS, and 2nd in SL. Max has had an incredible season, proving his ability to do well under pressure and compete with the top racers in his age group. When looking back at his State ranking last season of 43rd, he has come a long way and improved a ton to make it all the way up to 3rd ranked skier in the State. It has been exciting to see Max grow and progress over the last two seasons and we look forward to helping him on his journey and seeing what he will do in the future! 

“Female MVP” - Chloe Blount

Chloe finished the season ranked 3rd in the Mid-Vermont Council races. All 4 races she competed in she finished on the podium with one 3rd, two 2nd, and one win. She ranked 7th in the VT State Championships with 6th or better finishes in all the events that were held. Chloe is a hard charging aggressive skier. She gives everything she has on snow and in the gym. Proving her ability to be one of the fastest and strongest U14 female skiers in the East! 

“Most Improved” - Lily Condlin

Lily is an intelligent skier that has a true love of the sport! She will often ask questions to try and get a better understanding of what she is working on and what steps she needs to take to improve. She started off with finishes in the twenties and by the end of the season was getting results in the teens. She was ranked 22th in the Mid-Vermont Council Series. What can't be quantified by results are the fast sections of ski she has had. She is on her way to putting together some fast runs. Lily is fairly new to ski racing and has made incredible gains in her skiing. We are very excited to see how she grows and improves next season as a bigger stronger second year U14.  

“Male Coaches Award” - Matt Burns

Matt has had some very impressive results this season. Ranking 3rd in Mid-Vermont Council Races and continuing to get faster. Ranking 8th in VT State Championships, with a 2nd place result at the State SG. Matt’s results are not why he is receiving the coaches award. Matt is consistently on time and always knows what the training plan is for the day. Often letting other athletes know what they should be doing when they are unsure. He is always ready to lend a hand carrying gates. Often offering to help any coaches or fellow athletes. Matt did a great job leading the group and pushing everyone to do their best! Matt’s dedication and hard work has paid off big time with improved skiing throughout the season. Looking forward to seeing him tackle next season as a U16!

“Female Coaches Award” - Olivia Parise

Olivia is a hard working and dedicated athlete. She takes ownership of her training and is always ready for the day when she arrives at training. Often cheering for her team. She is there to support her teammates in good and bad times. Olivia is cheerful and has a positive outlook. We are excited to see how she grows as an athlete in the coming years!

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U12 alpine racing awards

Presented by mike Cronin

“Most Valuable Player Award” - Henry Herzog

Henry loves to ski and ski fast!  He was constantly on the podium in both SL and GS. He has improved technically and tactically this season, proving he is one of the top athletes on the East Coast! 

“Rookie Of the Year Award”  - Porter Whalen 

Porter was new to competitive racing this season, but from the progress he made, it would be impossible to see that in his skiing now.  His rate of development this year was off the charts. He excelled with major improvements to his movement pattern. 

“All Gas, No Breaks Award” - Hayden Ho

Hayden is fearless and is always pushing the limits. Looking for speed comes naturally to Hayden. It’s a joy to watch him ski now, and he is definitely an athlete to watch in the coming season! 

“Most Improved Award” - Luke Parise 

Luke made terrific improvements to his movement patterns. Increasing both edge angle and upper/ lower body separation, Luke has made some major progress this season. 

“Giant Slalom Specialist Award” - Isla Ulrich

Isla really came out of her shell this season. I was thrilled to watch her push her limits and find another gear in her skiing. Although she is also a very strong SL skier, her top awards were won in GS. 

“Slalom Specialist Award” - Amelie Meyenburg

Amelie is a smooth operator. She skis very efficiently with little wasted movement. She was able to reach her top finishes in SL thanks to her strong technique and quickness. 

“Tough as Nails Award” - Amelia Turco 

Amelia was able to establish a true “big girl” movement pattern this season. The changes she made allowed her to unlock new levels of edge angle and pressure.  Although sidelined with a serious injury, she was able to stay positive and fight her way back to skiing. She is hungry to continue ripping where she left off. 

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE OMS STUDENT-ATHLETES ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

Celebrating excellence in academic achievement is a cornerstone of our values here at OMS. As we come together to honor the dedicated individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to their studies, we reflect on the hard work, determination, and passion that have led them to this moment. Join us as we highlight the remarkable accomplishments of our OMS student-athletes and applaud their unwavering pursuit of knowledge and growth.

Excellence in Science - Sam Hambsch

Erin Drumm says, “Sam is a motivated and curious student, who demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment daily, both in and outside of the classroom. He does a great job of thinking critically and connecting the scientific concepts that we learn in class to the real world. He is always engaged in class, and puts in the work required to understand physics.”

Excellence in Foreign Language - Max Rabdau

Caroline Fehre says, “Max has been selected for the foreign language award for his exemplary efforts in his Spanish class. Max has gone above and beyond in taking it upon himself to learn as much Spanish as he can during his three months of study at OMS. His persistence and hard work has paid off and I have every confidence that he will continue to study the Spanish language with the same enthusiasm and diligence that he has displayed as a student here.”

Excellence in English Award - Matthew Burns & Olivia Parise

John Rushing says, “This year’s award for Excellence in English is a bit unusual. This award most often goes to a junior or senior taking an AP or Honors course. But this year, not only is the award being presented to an 8th grade student, it is being awarded to two 8th grade students. Olivia Parise and Matt Burns demonstrated excellence this winter in a variety of ways. First, they were both extremely responsible in submitting their completed assignments, most often turning in their work in the evening on the day it was assigned and always being prepared for discussion and more work the next day. Matt and Olivia worked with John in the same 5th period class; and although the texts they studied were different, many of the concepts were similar so that the two of them functioned almost as a unit. Both students also overcame administrative challenges that were out of their control and each worked hard in different ways to always move forward quickly and effectively with their learning. Matt demonstrated an ability above his grade level to tackle complicated texts and so went on to study, analyze and discuss teacher-selected works of literature that are usually offered in 11th or 12th grade. Olivia too showed immediately an ability above her grade level to absorb and write about literary works. Both students are always delightful work partners and each is eager to learn new concepts with a super-positive attitude. OMS is proud to present this year’s award for Excellence in English to Olivia Parise and Matt Burns.”

Excellence in Art - Isla Ulrich

Betsy Johnson & Maura Cornish say, “When it comes to choosing a particular student for an award in art it is almost impossible!  However, Isla Ulrich has really been a bright star in the art room this year.  She has shown a willingness to try new mediums and projects with enthusiasm and thoughtfulness as well as help her classmates and inspire others.”

Excellence in Math - Dillon Poodiack

Toby Milne says, “Dillon is a stellar math student, dedicated and self-motivated. This award is a testament to his exceptional skills and commitment to academic excellence.  His enthusiasm for learning and his hard work have set a high standard for his peers.”

Excellence in History - Graham Stein

Thom Serrani says, “Graham's honors course on the Middle East and Latin America is a comprehensive college level course on the complicated history of both regions.  Graham has excelled in all aspects of comprehension and understanding of history as it relates to both regions of the world. He has grasped some very complex issues, articulating their significance in the context of overall global conflict and current day hostilities.”

Greatest Gaines - Simone Costey

Claire Isherwood & Sabrina Easton say, “Simone Costey is truly deserving of the Greatest Gains Award. Her commitment to establishing a routine in her work, paired with her ability to grasp new concepts, sets her apart as a shining example of dedication and growth. Simone's unwavering positivity has not only uplifted those around her but has also been a driving force behind her own success.”

CONGRATULATIONS ON THESE WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITIONS!

thank you to our donors!

THANK YOU to everyone who made the 2024 WinterFest a success! WE RAISED over $47,000!

SPONSORS

SILENT AUCTION DONORS

event Host

music & entertainment

• Max Cassano (guitar & vocals)

• Madison Cassano (karaoke)

additional THANK YOUs

• Brooke Caringi

• Amanda van Heyst

• Margaret D'Andrea

thank YOU!

We conducted an exclusive interview with Mary Denholm, an OMS alumnus and successful marathon runner. We delve into Mary's running journey, the challenges she has faced along the way, and how OMS has impacted her success. Mary provides current and future OMS student-athletes with advice, and shares a great source for vegan recipes!

Where are you currently located and what are you up to?

I live in Erie, Colorado. I worked for 10 years as a trial attorney in Maryland and then switched careers. I worked in marketing for a few years and that took me from San Diego, California, to Flagstaff, Arizona, and then to Santa Barbara, California. I had started run coaching in 2018 as a side passion but then officially started working for Lift Run Perform in 2020 as a second job. I made the switch to full time run coaching in 2022 (I coach runners remotely all over the US and some international as well) and moved to Colorado to be with my mom and sister who also were relocating to Colorado after my father passed away in February 2022. Run coaching is truly the most rewarding job I have ever had. I get to help others achieve their running goals & I am so grateful to work with an amazing group of people.  

When did you attend OMS?

My junior and senior year of high school I transferred up for the winter months - that was the 2003-2004 and then 2004-2005 ski season. I grew up skiing at Okemo - went through the Mountaineers Program, then joined the Devo team, made the Council team, and then J3, J2, J1 teams. 

What do you remember most about your time at OMS?

The lifelong friends I made while at OMS. Sharing a sport with others and connecting with them enriches the experience for everyone. I am still very close with several fellow OMS student-athletes I met and connected with during my time there. I feel the same way about running and the running community now.  

How did OMS prepare / impact your life?

OMS prepared me to be a lifelong athlete - and a high performing one. I wanted to alpine ski race D1 in college and you guys got me there! The schedule OMS set to prioritize skiing every day first, lift until lunch with school in the afternoon into early evening, building in time for lifting, tuning our skis, etc. just really taught me how to structure my day. While I ultimately only skied for 1 year in college, it was huge that I was able to work very hard and accomplish that big goal I set for myself at such a young age. It taught me that hard work pays off. When we have a big long-term goal it takes a ton of work, mental strength, and resiliency to work for years to achieve it. My return to competitive running post-law school when I set the goal I currently achieved with marathoning and worked towards it for years (8 years to be exact to run 2:36, 5:57 per mile for 26.2 miles) was similar in really committing to a long-term goal, having unshakable self-belief, and pursuing it vigorously.

What advice do you have for current and upcoming OMS student-athletes?

Have fun with it! That's always the most important thing is to LOVE your training. We set these big goals and working towards them enjoying the journey in pursuit of them is where the joy is. Approaching race day curious and learning to stay calm, relaxed, and trusting your training is another piece of advice I always share. The more calm and relaxed you can be going into your races, the better you will perform. 

You recently became a Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifier - congrats! How do you plan to train over the next couple months?

To explain how the qualification process works, to be able to race in the Olympic Trials Marathon from which the top 3 will make the US team to compete in Paris, a US woman needed to run a sub-2:37:00 road marathon (and had to be an approved course) which is 5:58 per mile average or faster within the qualifying window of 2 years. The prior time in 2020 was sub-2:45 so USATF dropped it by 8 minutes which is a significant drop and its difficulty is reflected by the significantly lower number of women who hit that time barrier this cycle (500 for 2020, 158 for 2024). It will be an untraditional training cycle because it's a quick turnaround. I qualified on December 3rd, 2023 running 2:36:28 and the Olympic Trials Marathon is on February 3rd, 2024. I've done this before so I know how to navigate it, but it's a quick recovery, rebuild of mileage, getting in a few big workouts, and then taper again. I will also be incorporating heat training since the race is in Orlando, Florida and set to start at 10AM. Hot yoga and sauna training will be crucial for me and I will spend my final 12 days of training in Florida to acclimate to heat, humidity, and dew point of that particular climate. 

What has been a challenge you’ve had to overcome as a Marathon runner?

I had a rough start to marathoning and almost quit the sport several times. My first few years in 2015-2017 I would get so nervous I would exhaust myself the week leading up to the race. I had so many tough races early on and it's kind of amazing (or crazy) that I stuck with it. So much of running (and all sports) is mental, so working on my mindset and cultivating a calm confidence has been key to unlocking better performances since 2018-2019. As I said above, the more relaxed I can go into a race, the better I sleep, the better my energy is on race day, and ultimately the better I perform. It's always a practice but no matter the stage I am about to race on, I remind myself that I do a long run workout every weekend, and race day is no different. 

A few of our student-athletes and staff are also vegan! What are some of your favorite go-to vegan dishes?

Anything by Minimalist Baker! She's my go-to for recipes and everything always turns out amazing. Personal faves are the one pot lentil soup, Buddha bowls, and deconstructed burrito bowls. 

What else would you like to share?

Sport is just getting started after college. I thought it ended there when I was in high school and even college, but it's truly just the beginning. And you can perform your best in your 30s. I am 36 and continue to run lifetime personal bests. Take care of your body, and it will continue to perform for you! 

Let’s cheer on Mary during the February 3, 2024 Olympic Trials!

We conducted an exclusive interview with Connor Davis, OMS alumnus and Executive Producer of the captivating documentary, "300 Miles Melting." Connor's extraordinary project takes us on a thought-provoking journey, exploring the implications of climate change along Vermont’s 317-mile Catamount Trail on skis. This documentary sheds light on the urgent need for environmental awareness and action. In this interview, we uncover Connor's inspiration, challenges faced, and his powerful message for a sustainable future.

When did you attend OMS?

I spent my winters at OMS from 2005-2008. Wild to think that was nearly 20 years ago.

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What do you remember most about OMS?

Laughing all of the time. We had such a fun crew there–everyone was so excited to be away from their normal school and in the mountains everyday. We were all extremely focused on our racing and competitive with each other, but the second we were riding the lift or down at school it was just nonstop comedy.

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How did OMS prepare/impact your life?

It opened my world into new connections that still last to this day. Having gone to a tiny public school in Vermont, meeting new kids and parents through OMS was huge for me. I'm still close with many of those friends, and have intersected with many (plus their parents) in the business world too.

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What are you currently doing/working on?

I run a creative agency in Portland, Maine called Eastern Adventure. We create ads and other marketing content primarily for outdoor brands and organizations. It's a ton of work, but a ton of fun. Our clients include Ford Motors, Blizzard Skis, Tecnica Boots, Mammut, Stio, and many others.

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What was your inspiration for 300 Miles Melting?

I give all the credit to Torey Lee Brooks, who is the star of the film. She wanted to nordic ski the length of Vermont and make a film about it in an effort to raise awareness around climate change. At first I was pretty hesitant knowing how much money and work goes into a project like that. But eventually I jumped on board, raised money with sponsors, and started putting the pieces together. Glad we made it happen.

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A journey like this must have been quite an endeavor. How long did it take you to film/produce the movie and what challenges did you encounter? What were the highlights of making this film?

We basically spent six weeks in the woods of Vermont following Torey through every type of weather. It was a ton of fun and a magical way to spend time in the woods, but also very time-consuming and stressful. There is zero cell service on most of the Catamount Trail, so we were finding Torey in the state's most remote areas using minimal satellite GPS, lugging in cameras, and just playing cat-and-mouse constantly.

The biggest challenge was when a 3-foot snowstorm sidetracked Torey completely. She was towing a 50-pound sled in waist-deep snow and had to get off the trail for safety purposes. That was a bummer, but I'm proud we made the right decision to put safety before the film. In the end, she got back on trail and got the thing done.

The biggest highlight was the finish. Sounds cliche and obvious, but after 6 weeks in the woods filming someone ski 300+ miles, it felt very rewarding to reach the Canadian border.

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For people that haven't seen it yet, why is it so important for all of us who love winter and snowsports?

This film is one of many reminders that our climate is changing rapidly. And that if the powers in this world—especially energy companies and financial insutations—don't change, winters will literally disappear. Our personal actions matter a lot. But the truth is, these overlords are the ones making the most damage on the planet. Energy companies are using antiquated techniques that warm our world. And financial institutions are using all of our hard-earned money to invest in those unsustainable energy companies. It's a bad cycle.

We have all seen it, even at Okemo. If you deny it, you're lying to yourself. Warm Christmases with no snow. Late starts to the season. Overwhelming warm spells in January. We always hope for the best and still get lucky sometimes with amazing storms, but generally speaking, winters are vastly different now than when I was a kid.

We wanted the film to still feel very positive and not send a doom-and-gloom message. So I hope that comes through to the audience, and they feel inspired to make changes in their lives while calling out those truly creating the problems at the top of the pyramid.

Donors to the Campaign For Our Community have the chance to TRIPLE their impact by donating before the end of the year, thanks to two challenge gifts! The Campaign is aimed at elevating our programs and continually providing more for all of Okemo’s competitive snow sports athletes.  This fund is vital to support the annual budget and cover every day operating expenses. We gratefully acknowledge the support of everyone who donated in 2022 and hope we can count on your support in 2023!

CHALLENGE #1: $50K MATCH GIFT

Tim and Diane Mueller were among the founders of OMS and have generously supported the school since its inception. They have been instrumental in creating one of the best snow sports programs in the country. OMS needs to raise $50,000 so we can unlock Tim and Diane Mueller's $50,000 match!

CHALLENGE #2: CURRENT FAMILY PARTICIPATION

100% of the OMS Board of Directors have donated to the Campaign For Our Community! Their unwavering commitment has set an inspiring example for all. They have now issued a challenge to all current families: if 100% of our current families donate, regardless of the amount, the board will contribute an additional $5,000.

“OMS has taught me how to balance everything in my life, beyond just athletics and academics. The rigorous training and academic schedule teaches hard work and discipline. The low student to teacher ratio forces students to think critically and deeply about their work. Additionally, the OMS community is one of the tightest knit communities I have ever been a part of.”

— GRAHAM STEIN, CURRENT OMS ALPINE SKI RACING STUDENT-ATHLETE

How it works

• We are looking for lightly-used snow sports equipment to include in our Ski Swap sale, including: alpine skis, snowboards, cross-country skis, poles, ski/snowboard boots, helmets, goggles, jackets, snow pants, under layers, mittens/gloves, hats, gear bags, snowshoes, snow boots, etc.

• No skis, boots, or bindings older than 7 years

• You will take home 75% of the selling price (sent in a check about 3 weeks after the swap) - the remaining 25% goes to Okemo Mountain School’s fundraising efforts

• OR you can also choose to donate your gear to provide OMS with a larger profit! All donations are tax-deductible.

Preparing your gear for the sale

• Download the Consignment Terms HERE - Please sign and bring with you to the drop off

• Download the Inventory document HERE - Please fill in the form with details and pricing of your items

• If you wish to donate your items (thank you!), please download the Donation Terms HERE and fill out the inventory sheet of items, prices aren’t necessary

• All gear must be dropped off on the following days at Jackson Gore’s Round House:

  • Saturday, November 11th; 10am – 3pm

  • Sunday, November 12th; 10am – 3pm

  • Wednesday, November 15th; 10am – 3pm

• Gear will not be accepted outside of those drop off dates/times.

shop the swap

• Friday, November 17th; 4 – 7pm
  (Shop the sale early from 3-4pm; $5 admission or free for Okemo employees)

• Saturday, November 18th; 9am – 5pm

• Sunday, November 19th; 9am – 1pm

what if my gear doesn’t sell?

We see hundreds of families walk through the swap each year, so it is rare to have leftover equipment! However, you are welcome to check on the status of your gear throughout the weekend! All unsold gear may be picked up prior to 1 pm on Sunday, November 19th. Any gear that has not been picked up will be donated.

What else?

All items are only accepted for consignment at the owner’s risk. Missing items are not the responsibility of OMS or Okemo Mountain.

Okemo Mountain School is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the academic and athletic development of serious snow sports athletes. Student athletes are given the opportunity to train in alpine ski racing, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing, while pursuing a rigorous course of academic study. Okemo Mountain School relies heavily on fundraisers like the Swap to help keep tuition affordable.

“As former OMS and Competition Center parents, we can attest to the immense benefits of participating in these programs. Student-athletes develop a work ethic and self-confidence that become the foundation for a successful future. This campaign is a critical component of the annual budget, which allows OMS to support our student-athletes in the realization of their dreams.”

— Kathy Burns and Diane Mueller

Professional Training

Student-athletes learn about proper ski waxing techniques with a guest coach.

Okemo Mountain School provides professional training and coaching to young athletes pursuing their winter sport of choice. Your support directly contributes to the development of these talented athletes, enabling them to reach their full potential. We are able to prioritize top-level training to our coaches and ensure a high coach retention rate. Many of our coaches are USSA 200 or 300 Certified Coaches, and we often have the ability to bring in guest coaches from other organizations, thanks to your donations.

OMS Alumni Joey Okesson is on the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Pro Team and current OMS Student-Athlete Sumner Orr is on the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Rookie Team. 2023 OMS graduate Josh Rosenberg is attending Harvard University and is on the Division I Alpine Ski Team. OMS has played a crucial role in providing these athletes with the necessary level of training to reach their current level of success.

academic balance

Okemo Mountain School places a strong emphasis on academics, offering a well-rounded education alongside rigorous training. Supporting the school means enabling student-athletes to receive a quality education while pursuing their passion for winter sports, helping them excel in both areas. Your donation allows us to hire amazing teachers as well as to purchase technology and tools that will further enhance our academic offerings. In the past, your donations helped us build a brand new Fitness Facility, and allowed us to make necessary updates to our academic building.

personal growth

Freeski student-athlete spends all morning training on the hill before returning to OMS for afternoon athletics.

Attending a ski and snowboard academy like OMS provides a unique opportunity for personal growth. Students learn discipline, time management, perseverance, and teamwork. By supporting the school, you contribute to the personal development of young athletes, helping them acquire essential life skills and better preparing them for the future.

Thanks to previous donations, we have been able to bring in guest speakers to enhance team building opportunities and invest in valuable programs, like One Trusted Adult.

community engagement

Okemo Mountain School actively engages with the local community by hosting events, like our upcoming Ski & Snowboard Swap, and competitions throughout the winter. All of our student-athletes are required to complete at least 5 hours of community service hours throughout their time at OMS. Last winter, many of our student-athletes worked with local elementary-aged students, teaching them to ski and snowboard. Additionally, they spent time in the community helping stack wood for a local in need, and wrapping presents for a Toys for Tots event.

Student-athletes stack wood for a local neighbor in need.

future of winter sports

By supporting Okemo Mountain School, you contribute to the future of winter sports. Talented athletes who receive proper training and education will become the next generation of role models and ambassadors for their sport. Your support helps ensure the longevity and growth of winter sports.

OMS Alumni Julia Ford is an 8 year member of the US Ski Team, 3-time Downhill National Champion, and competed in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. She is currently the Director of Alpine Skiing at Cardigan Mountain School. Julia is also a valued member of our Board of Directors. It is success stories like this that demonstrates the longterm impact of OMS.

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thank you for supporting oms!

Our annual ski swap is just around the corner, running from Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19, with equipment drop offs happening Saturday, November 11, Sunday, November 12, and Wednesday, November 15. This is an eagerly anticipated event at the Jackson Gore Round House at Okemo Mountain to kick off the winter season! Here are 5 reasons to Shop our Swap:

Affordable Prices: We offer steep discounts on new equipment compared to retail prices. You also can find gently used skis, snowboards, boots, and other winter gear at significantly reduced prices, making it an economical choice for shoppers on a budget.

Wide Selection: We attract a large variety of sellers and donors, resulting in a diverse selection of products available for purchase. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced skier, you'll likely find equipment suitable for your skill level and preferences. This variety allows you to browse various brands, styles, and sizes in one location, saving you time and effort.

Support a Good Cause: Shopping at our Ski Swap allows you to contribute to a worthy cause. The funds generated from these events are used to support the operations of Okemo Mountain School. By making a purchase, you're directly helping to support the growth and development of our programs and student-athletes.

Recycle and Reuse: Ski swaps promote sustainability by encouraging the recycling and reuse of ski and snowboard equipment. Instead of purchasing brand new gear, shopping at these events gives previously owned equipment a second chance. This environmentally-friendly option reduces waste and the demand for new products, making it an eco-conscious choice.

Expert Advice: Industry professionals will be on site and can provide valuable insights and advice. They can help you make well-informed decisions regarding equipment selection, sizing, and compatibility. Whether you're a novice or seasoned skier, you can benefit from the knowledge and experience of these enthusiasts, ensuring you find the right gear for your needs.

The 2022 Okemo Mountain School’s annual Campaign for Our Community has officially ended and brought in over 114K for the school. The Campaign is vital to the success of OMS and helps support a full time coaching staff through the winter, as well as several coaches who work through the off-season acting as ongoing resources to our athletes.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of everyone who donated to the 2022 Campaign for our Community and hope we can count on your support in 2023!

For more information about the Campaign for Our Community, please click HERE! If you are still interested in supporting OMS with a monetary donation, please donate HERE or be on the lookout for other fundraising events throughout the year!

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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT DONATED TO OUR 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

Triple Black Diamond
$10,000 and over
Tim and Diane Mueller

Black Diamond
$2,500 - $4,999
Craig and Jamie Aframe
The Costey Family
The Goodrich Family
Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates, Inc.
OMARA
Rich and Margaret White
The Stein Family
William Raveis Vermont Properties

Blue Square
$1,000 - $2,499
The Benison & Ricarte Family
The Boyle Family
The Cardi Family
The Jenson Family
The Keane Family
The Lovejoy Family
The Marschke Family
The Mosca Family
The Orr Family
The Rivas Family
Brian and Liz Shortsleeve
Jeremy and Erin Springhorn
Margaret Straub and Mark Curran

Green Circle
$500 - $999
Steve and Michelle Ahlcrona
Banwell Architects
Richard and Margie Black
Karen and Brian Buchichio
The Burns Family
The Cherasia Family
Julia Ford
Vivian, Natasha, and Brian Foutz
Gassetts Group
Homestyle Hostel
Knight Tubs Pools & Spas
The Lipinska-Kowalik Family
The Moran Family
Wendy & John Neal
The Poodiack Family
Andrea and Michael Rosenberg
The Sherman Family
Jared Silverman
The Smith Family
Kathy Swift
The Thompson Family
The Tobin-Greenberg Family
The van Heyst Family
The Visco Family
Marna and Tom Whittington
Dave and Vicki Yurkerwich

Snowstars
$1 - $499
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Gerald Boisvert
Tobias Britton and Alexander Matheson
The Caringi Family
The Chambers Family
The Chute Family
Mariann and Chris Conlon
The de Buy Wenniger Family
The DiNapoli Family
Patrice Fortier
Kate and Ryan Foster
Phil Garbarino and Angela Annino
Wendy Hayward
Matt and Herryn Herzog
Beth and Bill Hollis
The Hopkins Family
Russ and Abby Hurlburt
The Kallman Family
The Killian Family
Jason K
Eb Kinney
KK Kozik and Scott Stiffler
Nicole Lawless
Frances and Stephen Matson
The McCusker Family
Brenda McKeon
The Mecane Family
Brent Michaels
The Murray Family
Joe and Ellen Naser
Kristin Okesson
Sean Owen
Reeves Consulting
Carol and Charlie Robbins
The Roe Family
Sarah and Rob Rosenberg
Diane Rousseau
The Schmidt Family
Marissa Selleck
Debra Staniscia
The Tatko Family
David Thomas
The Torre Family
The Valentine Family
Carol and Tom Werthan
Sue and Jim Whalen
Dolores White
The Wiederecht Family
David Yurkerwich Jr.

The 2023 OMS WinterFest Campaign and event raised over $61,000, making it our best year yet!

The Winterfest event was held for the first time at Outer Limits Brewing, owned by OMS Alum, Taylor Tice, and had a wonderful turnout of OMS family and friends there to support the OMS program! Amazing entertainment was provided by our very own Billy Potter (OMS Head Freeski Coach), Max Cassano (OMS family), and Stuart Osnow (OMS History Teacher). Coinciding with the event was an online auction with generously donated items and experiences!

This event wouldn’t have been made possible without the donated online auction items, Winterfest Campaign sponsors, and of course those who attended the event!

Thank you to EVERYONE that continues to support our school and community!

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 WINTERFEST SPONSORS!

World Cup Crystal Globe:

Tim & Diane Mueller

Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates

Olympic Gold:

The Boot Pro

The Stein Family

The Young Family

William Raveis Vermont Properties

Anonymous

Olympic Silver:

Scott and Kathy Burns

The Pensabene Family

Melissa Iorio and Ron Sylvestri

The Shea Family

The van Heyst Family

Engel & Volkers

Epic Promise

Olympic Bronze:

Richard and Margaret White

The Monks Family

The Tobin Family

The Visnic Family

The Yurkerwich Family

Cota & Cota

This year’s Ski and Snowboard Swap had a record-breaking year and raised over $37,000 for Okemo Mountain School.  The proceeds from the Swap will go towards operating costs to keep tuition as affordable as possible for all students.  The event was extremely well attended this year and customers were excited with their purchases, finding outstanding deals on all sorts of new and used winter outdoor gear!

Mariel Meringolo, Head of School, would like to gratefully acknowledge all of volunteers who donated their time, as well as all the mountain personnel who went above and beyond their normal duties to provide support to the event. Without all the volunteers and the help of the mountain, the Swap could never have been such a success. Everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire school community!

And since it is never too soon to look to the future, mark your calendars for the 2023 OMS Ski and Snowboard Swap: 

Equipment Drop-off: November 11th, 12th, and 15th

Swap Open for Business: November 17th-19th  

Okemo Mountain School, celebrating 31 years in operation this winter, is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the academic and athletic development of serious snow sports athletes.  Student-athletes are given the opportunity to train in alpine ski racing, snowboarding or freestyle skiing, while pursuing a rigorous course of academic study.  Okemo Mountain School relies heavily on fundraisers like the Swap to provide financial aid, scholarships, and to keep tuition affordable. 

Our student-athlete’s worked extremely hard this winter, not only on the snow, but also in the classroom. Many were able to take an art class and created some amazing pieces. Take a look through our online art show to see how talented our student-athletes are!

Archie Weeple

Evelyn Hickey

Chloe Blount

Cole Spenlinhauer

Riley Keane

Riley Keane

Sam Doolittle, Archie Weeple, Evelyn Hickey

Colin O'Brien, Oliver Stucker

Matthew Burns, Tommy Okesson, Jason O'Brien

Evelyn Hickey, Piper Keane

Cole Spenlinhauer

Henry Bonang

Tommy Okesson

Jason O'Brien

Piper Keane

Sam Doolittle, Matthew Burns, Colin O'Brien, Oliver Stucker, Archie Weeple

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on an incredible 2021-2022 Winter Season! It was another winter full of logistical challenges, and as Head of School, I’ll be totally honest that most days I felt like Sisyphus, the character from Greek mythology punished by Zeus for cheating death and damned to an eternity of pushing a giant boulder up a hill. However, sitting here now at the end of the season and reflecting up on it all, it is clear that all of that struggling, by not just me but by all of us here, to push that boulder up the hill, was completely worth it! We have had an amazing winter of success – there are so many amazing stories of athletic, academic, and personal accomplishments. I invite you to read on and learn more about our student-athletes, and in particular the seniors to whom we bid farewell! I look forward to following their success in the years to come

Academic Excellence Awards

Greatest Gains: Tommy Okesson

“Tommy has been working hard all year, which is very evident in his academic improvements. In snowboarding, he dreams big and works towards every goal he sets out to achieve. It has been so much fun watching Tommy grow as a student, athlete, and young man!” - Ashley Belcher

“Tommy is a dedicated student-athlete. He uses his class-time wisely and has been building a solid academic foundation this year. It's been so enjoyable to see him develop as both a teammate and a student! You can’t help but smile when you are around Tommy.” - Ericka Priestley

Excellence in English: Graham Stein

“Graham is an extremely dedicated young man that meets challenges head-on with a tenacity and sophistication far beyond his years. Graham lets nothing get in the way of his academics, in English he continuously comes to class ready to learn and always has a positive disposition. Graham has written quality literary analysis essays, his writing skills are unparalleled and his work consistently impresses me. Not only is his writing superb, he is quite thoughtful in the discussions we have. Graham is always trying to expand his perspective and put himself in the shoes of others in order to make sense of texts we read and make deeper connections. His work ethic is above reproach, this year he has put in immense effort into all of his assignments and it has truly paid off.” - Ayanna Johnson

“Consistent, diligent, willing and hard working are a few words to describe Graham. In addition to being rock solid in all aspects of English, he also unleashes surprises with his ability to be original and creative.” - John Rushing

Excellence in History: Bobby Eilers

“I discovered almost immediately that Bobby is a conversationalist par excellence. In this course, we talked about an impossible subject: the historical development of the soul and self. “This is so great!” Bobby would say, as he applied equal measures of joy, curiosity, insight, and skepticism to chew on readings like The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life. To imagine the status of the soul and self in 2021, we turned to a recent article by novelist Ruth Ozeki who observed, “Our features have been obscured by masks, or viewed on screens, for months. We may never look at ourselves in the same way again.” “I love it!” Bobby exclaimed. Needless to say, we forgot when the period ended for almost every class. Bobby will tell you that there is no better way to learn than a combo of close reading and good conversation, and he may be right. Congratulations Bobby on this award for excellence in history, which is so well deserved.” -OMS History Department

Excellence in Foreign Language: Tad D’Andrea

“Tad is a hard working student who loves the Spanish language. He also has that special motivation required to improve in every step he takes, because succeeding at school does not mean never making mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes; that’s how we learn and grow. It’s avoiding making the same mistake that gets you closer to your goals.” - Horacio Travaglini

Excellence in Science: Brady Spenlinhauer

“Brady has been a student on a mission in physics! Determined, driven, organized and inquisitive, Brady got all of his work done while mastering the material and always with a positive attitude. His tower constructed with wooden sticks held a heavy textbook for many weeks, and his series of energy transfers exhibited imagination, fun and creativity. Keep having fun in college, Brady!!” - Steve Severson

“Brady is an example of a student who has developed passion, leadership and excellence in academics that matches the passion he has for his sport and for life. Brady is deserving of The Excellence in Science award due to his hard work and willingness to do his best.” - Wendy Hayward

Excellence in Mathematics: Sumner Orr

“Precalculus is arguably the most difficult step in all K-12 mathematics. Excellence in this course requires true mastery of all preceding algebraic concepts (order of operations, graphing functions, solving systems of equations, manipulating fractions, as well as quadratic, exponential, and rational functions, among others). Students must recall and deploy methods often not seen since elementary education. It is quite a Jenga tower—Forget one basic concept and whole problems quickly become overwhelming. In all cases, I support students’ aspirations to build on their (by now quite significant) math repertoire while continuously reinforcing the most essential foundations. I am thrilled to say that, in the face of these significant challenges, Sumner has vastly exceeded expectations for a student of his grade level. His insatiable curiosity and willingness to practice in and outside of class have led him to routinely attempt—and often to overcome—math questions normally reserved for intermediate calculus courses at the 12th grade or college level. He absorbs problem-solving strategies with admirable speed and accuracy to the point he can often teach them to other students. On especially gloomy days with Vermont rain and problems to make your head spin, that is, when I might reasonably expect frustration, Sumner returns calm positivity and level-headed determination. Sumner has fully earned the pride and self-confidence this award should instill in him. I ask that he press on with his study of math and not let grade-level recommendations constrain his progress, and I wish him all the best for the very bright future ahead of him.” - Andreas Gilpin-Falk

“This is a great example of a student that has developed a passion, to succeed academically. He made a commitment to work hard and be successful, while learning to balance his studies,  his sport and his personal life.  Sumner is deserving of The Excellence in Math award for his willingness to work independently, ask questions and produce quality work.” - Wendy Hayward

Excellence in Art: Sam Doolittle

“Sam Doolittle brings great energy, a willingness to thoughtfully explore a project, and creativity to the Art Room. To achieve excellence in art one does not have to be a just great artist or solely academically focused. Whether offering an idea, showing a classmate a technique or sharing a tool, he is very thoughtful and helpful to his fellow classmates. Sam brings to mind the image of what an OMS student represents and is a leader among his peers.” - Betsey Johnson

Head of School Awards

These awards are given to one middle school and one high school student-athlete who embody the qualities we most value in a student-athlete at Okemo Mountain School – hard-working, driven, self-motivated, disciplined, and kind. These student-athletes display a strong sense of personal responsibility and are valuable contributors to the school community - on the hill, in the classroom, and around the community. Each year the recipients of this award are nominated and voted upon by the OMS faculty and staff.

Middle School Head of School: Matthew Burns

“Matt is a fantastic student. He is charismatic and inclusive. He always comes to class excited and ready to learn! He is a very hard worker and puts effort into every assignment. He is a great example for his peers.” - Christina Roberts

“Matthew is the nicest person to peers, teachers, and coaches. He goes out of his way to make sure he says ‘hello’ every time he passes you in the hallway. He is the kind of kid that always brings a smile to your face!” - Ashley Belcher

“Matt is positive, kind, and approachable! He wants the best for his peers and cheers them on in dryland and on the hill! He is the best role model.” -Claire Isherwood

“Matt is one the most thoughtful kids I have met. He is always putting others first and wanting everyone to feel included. He also works so hard in the classroom and on the hill. He loves to learn and is always looking forward to learning something new. We are so lucky to have him as part of the OMS team!” -Marissa Foote

High School Head of School: Sam Hambsch

“I have had the opportunity to work with Sam Hambsch for several years now. Sam came to us from the small (but mighty) ski resort nearby called Suicide Six that he lives close to. Sam first skied with us at the OMS Mount Hood Summer Camp. It was immediately obvious that he was a skilled skier and a great athlete. He took to the OMS crew right away and quickly became one of the group. During that camp it became apparent that he had a tremendous work ethic and strived to improve his skiing. Over the last several years Sam has proven himself to be an extremely hard worker, a great teammate to his friends and a great skier. I have seen Sam go through highs and lows in his skiing but he has always maintained a positive attitude. I feel in the last year Sam has developed a healthy philosophy of what it means to be an athlete that pursues lofty goals with all the ups and downs that accompany that along the way. I am very proud of Sam for the athletic accomplishments that he has made in the past year but I am certainly more proud of the way he has learned to approach competition with a long term growth mindset and also how he supports his fellow teammates. Sam is the kind of kid that makes the entire team better. In short he is a true leader. I look forward to watching Sam pursue his goals in skiing and beyond in the years to come.” -Chris Hurka

“Sam is a thoughtful and courteous young man with a solid work ethic, always caring that his work is done well and that he has developed an excellent understanding of material covered. Working with Sam is a true pleasure!” - Alison Deslauriers

“Academically, Sam always strives to do his best. He works hard to achieve good grades and takes pride in his work. In terms of his general attitude and personality, he strikes me as a very mature, down to earth, and responsible young man. I wonder if his Vermont roots give him a bit of a 'home advantage' in terms of confidence and level-headedness. He seems to have a good rapport with his peers and I have really enjoyed working in class with him!” - Uli Donohue

“I really appreciate Sam's positive attitude and funny humor he brings to class every day. Sam is a bright student and is always keen to contribute his ideas to class discussions. I have truly enjoyed being his teacher this Year.” - Aude Stengel

Athletic Achievement Awards

Snowboarding Awards

Most Improved Male Rider: Henry Bonang

“In his first year at OMS, this rookie rider has improved immensely on all aspects of his riding and has podiumed in all 5 disciplines. He is also not afraid to go full send in the park and pipe regardless of conditions and has taken some hard falls throughout the year as a result.” - Luke Bonang

Most Improved Female Rider: Elizabeth Thompson

“In her first year at OMS, this young athlete has made HUGE strides since her first day with the school on January 27th. She learned to ollie in her first week with us and can now be seen sending the medium jumps in the OMS park. She is also fresh off from a couple of podiums in her first two banked slalom events held at Killington and Stratton!” - Luke Bonang

Stylemaster: Sumner Orr

“The stylemaster award goes to the rider who makes everything look effortless, awesome and simply put, just plain oozes style. This rider is very fun to watch and is now taking his style to bigger tricks in both the park and halfpipe.” - Luke Bonang

Coaches’ Award: Colin O’Brien

“This athlete listens well, puts in his best effort each day, and is very coachable. His riding has come a long way since he started in January and is highly deserved of this award.” - Luke Bonang

Rider of the Year: Tommy Okesson

“This athlete has continued to push the progression envelope day in and day out and has established a rather extensive bag of tricks this year. He is a very hard worker, very coachable, adds comedy to our daily routine, and has a drive like no other. His tenacity and love for snowboarding has landed him in the rankings at #1 in the halfpipe and #2 in slopestyle, Nationally. We are proud to give the rider of the year award to Tommy “T-bone” Okesson.” - Luke Bonang

Freeski Awards

Most Improved Athlete: Ocean Einhorn

“Ocean had a great season competing in USASA Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Ski Cross and IFSA Freeride events. She was continually progressing and pushing herself to the next level. It will be exciting to see her progress next season.” -Mike Bruno

Coaches’ Award: Ciaran de Buy Wenniger

“Ciaran loves the sport of skiing. Whether he is training, skiing powder, a groomer or in the trees he always has a positive attitude. His passion for the sport will lead him to success in his future years as a competitor. He has some strong results this year as well.” - Mike Bruno

Male Skier of the Year: Ethan Rosenberg

“Ethan had a great season becoming more confident in the park on jumps and rails. He had a few top finishes in USASA events and IFSA freeride events in a competitive age group. He enjoys the competitive aspect and the joy to freeski as well.” - Mike Bruno

Female Skier of the Year: Emily Ahlcrona

“Emily had a great competition season in USASA events. She had multiple first place finishes in all three disciplines. She progressed and learned new tricks in both the park and halfpipe taking her skiing to the next level.” - Mike Bruno

U12 Alpine Awards

Female Most Improved Athlete: Kira Smith

“Kira has improved a tremendous amount this season. Her feel for the snow is great and she skis with such efficiency. There is very little wasted movements in her skiing. She is extremely precise especially in slalom. She has a strong understanding of line and tactics. Kira likes to send it and has a bright future ahead as a U14 and beyond!” - Mike Cronin

Male Most Improved Athlete: Cole Spenlinhauer

“I am very glad that Cole got to spend so much time on snow this season. He is finishing the season miles ahead of where he started. Cole made major gains in his edge angle and has progressed a ton in both SL and GS. Cole is always quick with a “Dad joke” or riddle to keep the chairlift rides entertaining.” - Mike Cronin

Female Coaches’ Award: Lucy Robinson

“Lucy, although her spirit animal is a cow, she loves to ski fast. Lucy put in the effort this year to make some huge gains in her technical abilities. She battled through retraining her muscles to eliminate a big tip lead issue. The result was much higher edge angle and pressure on the outside foot. She has even started sending the jumps in the terrain park. Let’s see a cow do that!” - Mike Cronin

Male Coaches’ Award: Matthew Burns

“Matthew is a dedicated teammate and athlete. He is always listening and striving to improve his game. Matt had a season with many challenges that kept him off snow several times for different reasons. Matt kept his positive attitude throughout and never let anything break his character. This kid is resilient. His drive for improvement and care for his teammates is infectious.” - Mike Cronin

Female Skier of the Year: Chloe Blount

“Chloe has been working very hard on her fundamental movement pattern for the last two years. From a hip dump to stacking, from counter rotation to square, and eliminating a big tip lead, Chloe has been putting in the work to build a movement pattern to be successful for many years. As she was able to make these corrections her race results were there waiting for her. She is really skiing fast!” - Mike Cronin

Male Skier of the Year: Ryan Boyle

“Ryan was the guy with the top results for our team this year. But there are more valuable traits to Ryan. He is driven to do his best at all times and he doesn’t accept any less from himself. His constant need to succeed is something that will yield results both on and off the snow. Ryan has worked to improve his technical abilities at training and his tactics on race day. He is on a great track!” - Mike Cronin

U14 Alpine Awards

Coaches’ Award: Cami Blount

“Cami is a fun loving and dedicated athlete. She is always willing to lend a hand to help coaches and her teammates. She asks questions and looks to have a deeper understanding of what she needs to do to improve. She is often the first to speak up and ask questions, when others in the group are not. This helps the whole U14 group grow in understanding and knowledge. Cami had some of her best Slalom results at State Championships, earning her a spot to Eastern Championships. Cami has been at OMS since November, at times being the only athlete with two coaches. We are sad to see Cami graduate to U16's, but excited to see her improvements as she moves into the next age group.” - Jet Robbins

Male Skier of the Year: Ryan Visnic

“Ryan is an athlete that loves to ski. He can be found free skiing and enjoying the mountain anytime he is not training. We love Ryan's aggressive and athletic skiing ability. He is always in full send mode and has some of the best crashes, with some footage featured in the Slalom Tokyo Drift Instagram. He is always quick to get up from a fall and go again. He has great agility and can make some amazing saves. As a first year U14 he has qualified for Eastern Championships. He has many top 10 finishes and is capable of skiing at the top of his birth year in any Championship event. We are excited to work with Ryan again as a U14 next year and watch him grow into an elite athlete.” -Jet Robbins

Female Skier of the Year: Emma van Heyst

“Emma is a talented and hard working athlete with the ability to race at the very top of her age group. She is a great teammate and pushes her peers to become the best they can be. We have seen Emma make some incredible recoveries throughout the season, which speaks to her high level of athleticism. As a second year U14 she has demonstrated a thirst to improve her skiing and has a great understanding of what she needs to do to become faster. Emma won the MVC Council this season and also has a number of podiums at Tri-council and Championship events. We are excited to see where Emma takes the sport in the future!” - Jet Robbins

U16 Alpine Awards

Female Most Improved Athlete: Katie Boyle

“Katie has truly earned the award of Most Improved Skier this season! She has put in the hard work day in and day out and it truly paid off for her. She’s continulously trying new drills and putting the time in on snow that’s required to make gains in her technical development as a Ski Racer. It’s been awesome working with Katie this season and watching all the hard work pay off. She has changed her technique, improved with race day tactics and the overall mental approach to race day. I look forward to working with Katie and continuing to progress her Alpine Development. She should continue to work hard this off season, have a dedicated work out routine and continue training with on-snow/off season camps.” - Bobby Jones

Female Skier of the Year: Riley Keane

“Riley has a very natural touch on the snow and is a very hard working, detail oriented Ski Racer. She’s eager to hear technical feedback and always applies it in her following freeruns, drill run’s or training runs. She is truly a student of the sport; always pushing to learn more, trying new techniques, looking to get faster and always pushing the limits. She embraces challenges and is driven to find new drills which will help with line, turn shape, edge angle and other adjustments to make her a better Ski Racer. As a first year U16 athlete she has had multiple top 10’s, top 5’s and a podium finish in the Vermont Cup circuit. After the State Championships Riley ended up ranking 28th in the State of Vermont. After qualifying for the U16 Eastern Championships out of the VT State Championships Riley skied her way to a 36th overall ranking out of 78 athletes from all over the Northeast. And that’s as a first year U16. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for Riley, with more hard work, dedication to working out and on-snow/off season camps she should enter the 2022/23 season at the top of her game.” - Bobby Jones

Male Most Improved Athlete: Carter Robinson

“It has been really rewarding to watch Carters progress this year. Carter exemplifies the ideal of having a positive outlook on things. He is always thinking of constructive ways to frame the day and trying to find the lesson from the training session or a race, whether it went the way he wanted or not. Carter is a great athlete but he has improved because he is an extremely hard worker and has a great attitude! Carter really found another gear toward the end of the season which was noticed in practice and also placing 10th in the GS and 11th in the SG at Vermont State Championships. It has been awesome to work with him over the last several seasons. I look forward to watching him race FIS next season!” - Chris Hurka

Male Coaches’ Award: Sam Rotermund

“Sam Rotermund is one of the most diligent, hard working and focused kids I have ever met. He always is out there putting the time in, paying attention to feedback and trying to implement the concepts that he is learning. Sam is also a great teammate to his friends and willing to help anyone out. It has been great to watch his steady progress throughout the season and I really look forward to watching his progress next year!” - Chris Hurka

Male Skier of the Year: Graham Stein

“This was a very hard category to choose. We had three athletes, Tad D’Andrea, Sam Hambsch and Graham Stein who all had the ability to win any given race at any given day. I'm very proud of all of them. At the time when I was choosing this award Graham had just come off an amazing run at Vermont States where he won the SG (by 1/100), 13th in the GS (winning second run), 7th in the SL to end up 2d overall. In addition to this Graham was a familiar face on the podium each week all season. Graham is a really fast skier and also a great teammate to his peers. Even though Easterns didn't go the way he wanted I see a bright and fast future for Graham!” - Chris Hurka

U18 Alpine Awards

Female Most Improved Athlete: Tia Spenlinhauer

“Tia came into the season after a summer of hard work in the gym. She continued to work hard in training and was eager to learn. Tia's attendance and number of runs at each practice early in the season was impressive. Although Tia has had difficulty finding the finish line, her skiing has greatly improved and with continued focus and work things will click and improvements will continue.” - John Tyler

Female Skier of the Year: Merina Visnic

“Merina is having an incredible season.   Starting with some really fast skiing, Merina had some great single runs early in the season but did not put two together. Switching gears we headed to Sugarloaf to take on speedweek. In her first DH race ever Merina finished in 6th in both races and was top 3 in the east. Fired up from this experience we headed to Stratton for FIS GS were from Bib 87, the last starter she won two runs, winning her first FIS race.  The second race of the series, she skied another top 5 run and ended up 12 for the day. The Sugarloaf and Stratton race results scored her a spot at the U8 Nationals at Vail CO.  In Vail, Merina continued her impressive streak and was 5th overall and the top Eastern Downhiller. Her current ranking in DH is 49th overall in the Nation; The 8th ranked Downhiller in the 2005 birth year in the nation and the 1st in the east. Merina was invited to the NORAM Cup Finals and SR National Championship at Sugarloaf, as well.” - John Tyler

Male Most Improved Athlete: Owen Poodiack

“Owen's improvement this year was easy to spot on the training hill, especially when the camera was out. He really started putting the pieces of his technique and tactics together into a beautiful, fluid movement pattern with aggressive edge angle and upper body discipline at the gate. It was really a joy to see his hard work come to fruition with a victory at the Bromley Slalom race. Owen's year is evidence that the correlation between effort and results does not occur in a smooth, straight line, but the correlation is absolutely undeniable over the long run and really special when that quantum leap happens.” - Roger Kimball

Male Coaches’ Award: Josh Rosenberg

“Josh has suffered through a couple of seasons of personal frustration and relative obscurity due to nagging injury. It has been a joy to welcome him back to live action this season and watch him do what he loves to do ... and what he's pretty damn good at. His attention to strength, conditioning, flexibility and mobility have been tremendous. To maintain a positive mindset through all of these ups and downs has taken a lot of resolve. In his first year on the FIS circuit, despite the setbacks, he has already re-established himself as one of the nation's best without missing a beat. From start positions at the back of the pack he has skied with skill and grit that portend a bright future. He already has several impressive results, but one that showcases his talent best may be winning the second run of a FIS Slalom at Suicide 6 recently in a field that include guys on the Dartmouth carnival team. That's just the beginning. What makes the Coaches Award so fitting for Josh is how he exemplifies on a daily basis the character and culture that we prize here at Okemo Mountain School. He comes to training eager to learn, eager to get in as much volume as he can. He's truly thoughtful about every run he takes, every turn he makes. He communicates respectfully with coaches and has the maturity to make training and racing decisions based on a sound athletic development plan regardless of what his peers may be doing or thinking. At the same time he knows how to share a good laugh with his friends and is always supportive of the team.” - Roger Kimball

Male Skier of the Year: Ryan Thomson

“Coming off a pretty spectacular first year of FIS last year, Ryan put in more hard work during the prep period from June through September at training camps at Hood and in Saas Fee and Stelvio. This laid the groundwork for another strong season. Unfortunately during the fall he was not able to train as much due to a couple of minor injuries and a focus on academics. But the road of progress often travels through periods of challenge and uncertainty. Once he was healthy again and able to get in some consistent training volume his form and his confidence steadily increased. As we approach the end of the 2022 season Ryan has already pushed the standard even further. A solid block of speed week at Sugarloaf set the stage for his first taste of the Nor-Am circuit. Despite a stacked field and tough course conditions he was able to earn Nor-Am points by finishing 27th in the Alpine Combined in a field including guys competing actively on the World Cup. Ryan not only qualified for U18 Nationals but landed in 3rd place on the Downhill podium. On the basis of this performance he has been invited to US Nationals / Nor-Am Finals to compete in the speed events. What's more, to the coach's eye it's clear that his pace in tech events is continuing to push the limits, even if the speed disciplines are where he has achieved the most obvious glory this year.” - Roger Kimball

Staff Appreciation Awards

Teacher of the Year: Ayanna Johnson

“Ayanna makes learning fun, even in classes that I don't usually enjoy. She helps make classes more interesting and connects with her students.” - Drew Visnic

“Ayanna is a really chill teacher and makes positive connections with her students.” - Cole Firstbrook

“Ayanna goes above and beyond for her students! She is caring and passionate, and wants students to succeed both academically and emotionally. She continuously pushes students to complete work in a timely manner and engages them in meaningful, thought-provoking conversations.” - Ericka Priestley

Coach of the Year: Eddie Johnson

“Coach Eddie is always straightforward about my riding, which helps me improve.” -Tommy Okesson

“Coach Eddie (Mr. Johnson) always brings the vibe up and makes me feel good about my riding.” - Caleb Kampf

“Eddie is very passionate and supportive of his athletes.” - Sumner Orr

“I've been coaching with Eddie for nine years now and I cannot say enough about Eddie. He is a team player, is well-respected by the athletes, and knows the game inside out. He is also very understanding with the athletes, communicates well with the parents, and is always up for the task at hand- whatever it may be. Eddie is a tremendous asset to our program and I am looking forward to working with Eddie for years to come.” - Luke Bonang

OMS 2022 Graduating Seniors

It is with great pleasure that we present to you our seven graduating seniors.  These incredible student-athletes represent a myriad of accomplishments.   Collectively, they have spent a total of 30 years at OMS.  This fact is quite fitting as this is OMS's 30th year in operation!  Not only have they been leaders in their respective athletic disciplines, but they also follow impressive academic paths and I know they will each make their mark on the world in meaningful, purposeful ways.   

Seniors, you are following in an increasingly long line of impressive OMS student-athletes – the intellect, hard work, and dedication you all display is outstanding!   Keep up the hard work as you venture out into life beyond OMS!

Bobby Eilers - Alpine Ski Racing

William Kallman - Alpine Ski Racing

Otto Lichtensteiger - Snowboarding

Brady Spenlinhauer - Alpine Ski Racing

Theo Stiffler - Alpine Ski Racing

Ryan Thomson - Alpine Ski Racing

Drew Visnic - Alpine Ski Racing

Our 12th Annual Okemo Mountain School Winter Fest was a success, raising over $44,000! This was made possible through donated online auction items, Winter Fest Campaign sponsors, and of course those who attended the event! We would also like to give a shout out to The Rollin’ Rooster food truck for providing mouth watering food and Outer Limits Brewing for serving up some delicious beer! Thank you to everyone who continues to support our school and student-athletes!

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2022 Winter Fest Campaign Sponsors

World Cup Crystal Globe:

The Mueller Family

Olympic Gold:

Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates
The Stein Family
The Young Family
William Raveis Vermont Properties

Olympic Silver:

Anonymous
The Monks Family

Olympic Bronze:

The Berk-Silverman Family
Carlyle Brown
The Eilers Family
The Kallman Family
Rich and Margaret White
The Shea Family
The Tobin Family
The Visnic Family
The Yurkerwich Family

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2022 Online Auction Donations

Homestyle Hostel
Main & Mountain
Camp Cody
Russ Hurlburt Photography
Marc Stuart
The Cookster
Goodman’s American Pie
Diane Mueller
Knight Tubs & Spas
Rich White
Brewfest Beverage
Singleton’s General Store
TPW Coffee Bar
Sweet Surrender Bakery
Dunkin’ Donuts
Shaw’s
Maura Cornish
Jet Robbins
Johnny’s Kitchen
Killington Resort & Pico Mountain
Jay Peak Resort
Mojo’s Cafe
The Hub
Vermont Country Store
Totem Pole
Northern Ski Works
The Boot Pro
Rebecca Haas Jewelry
Outer Limits Brewing
Murdock’s on the Green
Stemwinder
Amanda Birch
Chris Hoffman
Michael Tobin & Danna Greenburg
Betsy Johnson
Patrice Fortier/Massage by Patrice
3Graces
Green Mountain Fireplace Specialties
Jasper Forest
The Stein Family
Tygart Mountain Sports
Depot Street Gallery
Fox Run Golf Club
Made by Gail
Blendwell
Tylan Calcagni & Jen Milikowsky
Cabot
Clearlake Furniture
Rebecca Newman
Mike & Cindy Visnic
D. Lasser Ceramics
Mountain Hearts Photography
Maura Cornish
Halladay’s Flowers & Gifts/Jim Austin
Ludlow Police Department/Chief Billings
Beer Mountain
Paw Lodge
Gamebird
The Downtown Grocery
Vermont Beer Makers
Bickford Boxing & Fitness
The Killarney
Crown Point Country Club
Yellow Farmhouse Inn
EpicPromise/Vail/Okemo
Manchester Woodcraft
Hambsch Family Farm
Sam’s Steakhouse
Mr. Darcy’s
Barre Pinske & Belinda Maggioli
Tito’s Vodka
Carnegie Prep
George Poodiack

Okemo Mountain School’s annual Campaign for Our Community has officially ended and brought in over 113K for the school. The Campaign is vital to the success of OMS and helps support a full time coaching staff through the winter, as well as several coaches who work through the off-season acting as ongoing resources to our athletes.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of everyone who donated to the 2021 Campaign for our Community and hope we can count on your support in 2022!

For more information about the Campaign for Our Community, please click HERE! If you are still interested in supporting OMS with a monetary donation, please check out our Winter Fest Campaign happening NOW!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT DONATED TO OUR 2021 CAMPAIGN FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

Triple Black Diamond
$10,000 and over
The Mueller Family

Black Diamond
$2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous
Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates, Inc.
OMARA
Ramsey and Suzanne Goodrich
Rich and Margaret White
The Lovejoy Family
The Stein Family
The Young Family
William Raveis Vermont Properties

Blue Square
$1,000 - $2,499
Brian and Karen Buchichio
Gail and Matt Eilers
Jeremy and Erin Springhorn
Margaret Straub and Mark Curran in honor of Wendy Neal
Rima and Brett Marschke
Robbin Price
Russell and Sheelagh Thomson
Simon and Carol Roe
The Benison & Ricarte Family
The Bonnet Family
The Jenson Family
The Keane Family
The Provance Family
The Shea Family
The Smith Family
The van Heyst Family

Green Circle
$500 - $999
Dan and Diane Keating
Dave and Vicki Yurkerwich
Eliza Greene
Gassetts Group
Jason Kim
Kieran and Kristin Fitzgibbon
Knight Tubs Pools & Spas
Marna and Tom Whittington
Ron and Courtney Torre
The Black Family
The Blount Family
The Boot Pro
The Cherasia Family
The Conlon Family
The Nelson Family
The Orr Family
The Rosenberg Family
The Sherman Family
The Tobin-Greenberg Family
The Visco Family
The Weeple Family
Wendy and John Neal

Snowstars
$1 - $499
Anna Valentine
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Brent Michaels
Brie Spears
Caitlin DiBetta
Carol and Charlie Robbins
Carole Greenberg
Courtney Ruggiero
Dave and Dana Fonash
Eb Kinney
George and Bonnie Watts
Joan G. Kallman
Joe and Ellen Naser
KK Kozik and Scott Stiffler
Kristin Okesson
Kristina Bonnet
Matthew and Sandra Miklave, in honor of Marissa Foote
Nathan Jenks
Nicole Lawless
Nina Garbarino
Owen Skinner
Phil Newman
Russ and Abby Hurlburt
Ryan Skinner
Salmon and Nostrand
Sean Owen
Simon Ludl
Stephen and Martha Ahlcrona
Stephen Handley Jr.
Steve and Michelle Ahlcrona
The Aninowsky Family
The Baum Family
The Chambers Family
The de Buy Wenniger family
The Firstbrook Family
The Gilpin-Falk Family
The Hagwood Family
The Killian Family
The McCusker Family
The Mecane Family
The Meszkat Family
The Murray Family
The Robinson Family
The Rotermund Family
The Schmidt Family
The Tatko Family
The Trainer Family
The Valentine Family
The Werthan Family
The Wiederecht Family
Tobias Britton and Alexander Matheson
Wendy Hayward
HomeLight

This year’s Okemo Ski and Snowboard Swap had close to a record breaking year and raised over $34,000 for Okemo Mountain School.  The proceeds from the Swap will go towards operating costs in order to keep tuition as affordable as possible for all students.  The event was extremely well attended this year and customers seemed quite pleased with their purchases, finding outstanding deals on all sorts of new and used winter outdoor gear!

Mariel Meringolo, Head of School, would like to gratefully acknowledge all of volunteers who donated their time, as well as all of the mountain personnel who went above and beyond their normal duties to provide support to the event. Without all of the volunteers and the help of the mountain, the Ski Swap could never have been such a success.  Everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire school community!

And since it is never too soon to look to the future, mark your calendars for the 2022 Okemo Ski and Snowboard Swap:  

Equipment Drop-off: November 12th, 13th, and 16th

Swap Open for Business: November 18th-20th   

Okemo Mountain School, celebrating 30 years in operation this winter, is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the academic and athletic development of serious snow sports athletes.  Student athletes are given the opportunity to train in alpine ski racing, snowboarding or freestyle skiing, while pursuing a rigorous course of academic study.  Okemo Mountain School relies heavily on fundraisers like the Swap to help keep tuition affordable.  

For further information, please contact Ashley Belcher at abelcher@okemomountainschool.org or 802.228.1514. 

We had a successful OMS Benefit Golf Tournament last weekend at Crown Point Country Club! We had a perfect day with our players ready to golf, and had a generous amount of support from our sponsors and teams, raising over $10,000! Thank you to everyone that joined us or donated!

2021 Sponsors:
The Mueller Family
William Raveis Vermont Properties
Wright Construction
CDXChange
Vermont Orthopedic Clinic
Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates
Vermont Foam Insulation
Diamond Realty
Lavalley’s
Knight Tubs and Spas
Morgan Stanley
Alpine Earthworks
Four Season's Sotheby's International Realty
Mountain Cycology
Banwell Architects
Marvin Windows & Doors
Burns & Associates
OMARA
Lori Ford Custom Outdoor Gear
Lead Change Racing
Brewfest Beverage Co.
Cota & Cota
Ted Stryhas Builder
ClearLake Furniture
Brattleboro Subaru
Springfield Animal Hospital
Tygart Mountain Sports
The Yurkerwich Family
The Visnic Family
The Baum Family
The Gil’s

2021 Raffle Donations & Prize Items:
Nordica
The Boot Pro
Homestyle Hostel
Main & Mountain
The Cookster
American Pie
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Crown Point Country Club
Manchester Country Club
Killington Resort & Pico Mountain
Fox Run Golf Club
Chris Hoffmann
Shawn Orr

See you next year!