OMS 2020 Seniors
Okemo Mountain School has two 2020 seniors ; Katy Buckley and Joey Okesson. Both Katy and Joey have been an essential part of the OMS Snowboard Team.
Katy Buckley- Senior Photo
Katy Buckley
Katy Buckley
Katy Buckley has been with OMS for the past two seasons, however, she competed with the Okemo Competition Center prior to that. She decided that it was in her best interest to attend OMS in order to have more time to train, which is her favorite part about being a student-athlete. She has also loved traveling for competitions and being a part of the team.
Not only is Katy a successful snowboarder, she is also a great student! Katy is a student at Black River High School where she is top in her class and received the Green and Gold Scholarship to attend the University of Vermont next year. She will be majoring in Psychology in the hopes of moving onto earning her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Katy has shown an innate ability to balance athletics and her schoolwork this year by training on the hill everyday, taking classes at OMS, and taking college courses at the Community College of Vermont. There is no doubt that Katy will be successful in anything she chooses to do with her future!
What OMS Taught Katy: “I have learned how to adapt my assignments to my learning style.”
Katy’s Advice for Future Student-Athletes: “Stay on top of your assignments!”
Joey Okesson
Joey Okesson started attending OMS at the age 11, first training only during his school breaks and later attending the OMS Winter Term. As he continued to progress, Joey decided to attend a full year winter sports academy during his sophomore year, where he stayed for 2 years. As Joey put it, “After 2 years, I felt as though something in my competitive career was missing. I missed OMS and the people who supported me so much. Luke, Tuna, Eddie, and Tyler all contributed in their own ways something very special to my riding. The combination of these coaches was what held my confidence and pure enjoyment of the sport. Going into my senior year, I made the decision to come back to the backbone of my snowboarding, and I know I made the right decision. I do not regret leaving OMS, as it made me appreciate the special connection I had with these coaches, as well as the OMS community as a whole.”
This season, Joey competed in the Burton U.S. Open. Joey entered the Open as an alternate, but ended up earning 5th place in the Finals! This is a major feat in itself, but even more so for a first time competitor. Ashley Belcher, OMS Assistant to the Head of School said that, “All OMS student-athletes were on the edge of their seats during their classes throughout the semi finals and showed an outpouring of love for their teammate and friend throughout the finals.”
Even though Joey has had some exciting memories with OMS, his favorite is a throwback to when he was 11 and in his first year at OMS; “A senior at the time, Bryce Langille, talked all year about hitting a specific rail at Killington because of how cool he thought it looked. We took a trip to Killington late in the year, and when the time came Bryce knew what he came to do. He hit the rail and broke his arm. Despite the horrific event of breaking his arm, Bryce and I could not stop laughing as this was all he wanted to do the entire year. The crew of older student-athletes at OMS when I was younger made for some of my most fond memories of my time at OMS.”
Although Joey is a senior, he has no intention of giving up his dream of being a professional snowboarder anytime soon. He plans to continue competing next year and will hopefully be training with the U.S. Snowboard Team in the hopes of a spot in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Joey believed that this year was a turning point for him in his snowboarding career and that his involvement in OMS was essential to his success.
Joey’s Advice for Future Student-Athletes: “My advice to future student-athletes would be to appreciate and enjoy every second of your time at OMS. It is a truly unique experience and it taught me about an effective work ethic. Although many of the student-athletes at OMS are still kids, you are taught from the start that if you want something you need to work, the right way, for it. Hard work will end up paying off and the community is there to support you in your endeavors.”
Joey Okesson competes in Burton US Open
“My favorite thing about OMS is how supportive and caring the coaches and teachers are. It is clear they look at their jobs beyond the objective of doing the bare minimum. I felt the enthusiasm and genuine spirits of those who were around to support me in any way possible.”
Joey Okesson
While we are sad to see Katy and Joey graduate, they will always be a part of the OMS family. They have not only grown as student-athletes and young adults, but they have also helped shape the OMS community and have consistently been great role models for our younger student-athletes. On behalf of the Okemo Mountain School faculty and staff, we wish you both the best! Make sure you stay in touch and come back to visit!