2021 Academic & Athletic Awards
2020 when we could all be together!
It is hard to believe that we are ending another year without our in person Closing Ceremonies. However, we are so very grateful that we made it through the season healthy and successfully despite all of the hurdles that our student-athletes and staff had to overcome. In lieu of our typical Closing Ceremonies, please check out this virtual version to recognize our student-athletes and their accomplishments in the classroom and on snow!
Order of Ceremony
Academic Excellence Awards
Academic Excellence in Art
Academic Excellence in History
Academic Excellence in English
Academic Excellence in Mathematics
Academic Excellence in Science
Academic Excellence in Foreign Language
OMS Community (Spirit) Award
OMS Work Ethic Award
Head of School Awards
High School
Middle School
Staff Appreciation Awards
Teacher Appreciation
Coach Appreciation
Athletic Achievement Awards
Snowboarding Awards
Freestyle Skiing Awards
U12 Awards
U14 Awards
U16 Awards
U19/FIS Awards
Graduating Seniors
Sarah Bassett - Alpine
Travis Blake - Freestyle
Eryll Brennan - Snowboard
Nina Fonash - Alpine
Brennan Hynes - Alpine
Patrick Young - Freestyle
Academic Achievement Awards
Academic Excellence in Art
Presented by Betsy Johnson
Awarded to Riley Keane
Academic Excellence in History
Presented by Jillian Getman
Awarded to Tia Spenlinhauer
Academic Excellence in English
Presented by John Rushing
Awarded to Elyse Donaghue
Academic Excellence in Mathematics
Presented by Alison DesLauriers
Awarded to Ryan Thomson
Academic Excellence in Science
Presented by Terri Isidro
Awarded to Merina Visnic
Academic Excellence in Foreign Language
Presented by Ericka Priestley
Awarded to Ally van Heyst & Hanna Gilpin-Falk
OMS Community Spirit Award
Presented by Marissa Foote
Awarded to Matthew Burns
OMS Work Ethic Award
Presented by Steve Severson
Awarded to Graham Stein
Head of School Awards
The Head of School awards are given to a Middle School and a High School student-athlete who embody the qualities we most value in a student-athlete at Okemo Mountain School; they are hard-working, driven, self-motivated, disciplined, and kind. These students display a strong sense of personal responsibility and are valuable contributors to the school community - on the hill, in the classroom, and beyond. Each year the recipients of this award are nominated and voted upon by the OMS faculty and staff. Both awards will be presented by the nominating faculty members.
U12/U14/Snowboard - Head of School Award
Presented by Wendy Hayward, Courtney Harvey, and Claire Stetson
Awarded to Sumner Orr
U16/U19/Freestyle - Head of School Award
Presented by Terri Isidro, Courtney Harvey, and Leslie Cassano
Awarded to Brady Spenlinhauer
Staff Appreciation Awards
These awards are nominated by student-athletes in support of the teacher and coach that they believe has gone above and beyond to make their experience at OMS successful.
Teacher Appreciation Award U12/U14/Snowboard Cohort
Presented by Otto Lichtensteiger, Jason O’Brien, Sumner Orr, Matthew Burns, Ally van Heyst, and Piper Keane
Awarded to Claire Stetson
Teacher Appreciation Award U16/U19/Freeski Cohort
Presented by Reilly Shea, Cole Firstbrook, Merina Visnic, Tia Spenlinhauer, Drew Visnic, and Elyse Donaghue
Awarded to Alison DesLauriers
Coach Appreciation Award
Presented by Mariel Meringolo
Awarded to Roger Kimball
Athletic Achievement Awards
Snowboarding Awards
Presented by Coach Luke Bonang & Coach Eddie Johnson
Male Most Improved Athlete: Jason O’Brien
Female Most Improved Athlete: Ally van Heyst
Style Master Award: Eryll Brennan
Rider of the Year: Sumner Orr
Freestyle Skiing Awards
Presented by Coach Mike Bruno
Female Most Improved: Emily Ahlcrona
Male Most Improved: Ethan Rosenberg
Coaches Award: Travis Blake
Skier of the Year: Connie Brogden
Alpine U12 Awards
Presented by Coach Mike Cronin
Athlete of the Year: Piper Keane
Female Most Improved: Lucy Robinson
Male Most Improved: Oliver Rivas
Heart and Perseverance: Chloe Blount
Philosopher’s Award: Ryan Boyle
Coaches Award: Matthew Burns
Alpine U14 Awards
Presented by Coach Jet Robbins
Female Skier of the Year: Emma van Heyst
Female Most Improved: Katie Boyle
Female Coaches Award: Riley Keane
Male Skier of the Year: Alec Fonash
Male Most Improved: Dillon Poodiack
Male Coaches Award: Sam Rotermund
Alpine U16 Awards
Presented by Coach Bobby Jones, Chris Hurka
Male Outstanding Skier of the Year: Cole Firstbrook
Female Most Improved Skier: Olivia Weeple
Male Most Improved Skier: Quinn Torre
Female Outstanding Skier of the Year: Merina Visnic
Male Coaches Awards: Carter Robinson
Alpine U19/FIS Awards
Presented by Coach John Tyler and Coach Roger Kimball
Male Outstanding Skier Awards: Drew Visnic and Ryan Thomson
Female Most Improved Skier Award: Elyse Donaghue
Male Most Improved Skier Award: Will Kallman
Female Coaches Award: Reilly Shea
Male Coaches Award: Bobby Eilers
Female Persistence Award: Sarah Bassett
Graduating Seniors
Okemo Mountain School has several seniors this year that have been with us throughout their winter athletic careers and have had many accomplishments along the way! Congratulations to you all!
Sarah Bassett - Alpine
Travis Blake - Freestyle
Eryll Brennan - Snowboard
Nina Fonash - Alpine
Brennan Hynes - Alpine
Patrick Young - Freestyle
Check back soon for a full recap of our graduating seniors!