MMWA Spring Newsletter 2012 - Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy

Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy News
WINTER/SPRING 2012
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or the past few years, MMWA has
been growing. Obviously this is
a good thing, as we have a very
healthy enrollment and continue
to see remarkable success from our
students. Yet a burgeoning boarding population
meant that MMWA needed more space—more
space for bedrooms, as well as more space for
classrooms—and we needed it right away.
Enter the yurt. Director Lori Furrer decided to
put up a yurt on the MMWA campus because it
offered a “creative, efficient, and economical way
to add much-needed space.” Instead of laboring
over an addition or a new building for months
and months, the new yurt went up in three days
last fall.
A yurt is a round structure originally used by
Mongolian herdsmen. While maintaining the
traditional shape, our yurt was constructed for
us by the Colorado Yurt Company with efficient
structural design principles. It measures 30 feet in
diameter and the footprint is 706 square feet in
total. Built on a cement slab, the yurt is the new
home for five teachers and also serves as a meeting
area for the school (including MMWA’s alumni
gathering in March!). Meanwhile, the back chalet
became housing for dorm parents, thus freeing up
the other chalet for boarding students.
Thanks to some incredible volunteers, the
yurt came together over the course of a weekend
in October 2011. But not without its share of
snafus! Amazingly, the yurt went missing in the
trucking freight yard for a day. After the shipping
company recovered it, the yurt showed up on
Friday morning. The driver promptly asked for a
forklift to unload all 3,500 pounds of packaging,
to which Lori replied, “It’s in the garage. Oh
right, we don’t have a garage and we don’t have
a forklift!”
Volunteers accomplished the amazing feat of
not only unloading the yurt but also figuring
out how to construct a 30-foot yurt according to
building directions for a 10-foot yurt. Gordon
Continued on page 4
C O N T E N T S
LETTER FROM THE BOARD/
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
FACULTY & STAFF LISTING
3
MMWA COMMUNITY DAY
5
LEARNING HAPPENS HERE
6
BULLETIN BOARD
8
ANNUAL FUND
9
GRADUATION & COLLEGE
ACCEPTANCES
10
DARN TOUGH RIDE
11
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 1
letter from the
board
Dear Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy parents,
friends, and supporters,
I can’t recall a time when I felt better about
the Academy than I do right now. There have
been other highs, like when I first joined the
board—how many years ago was that? I was
thrilled to be part of the team, and a whole
lot younger. To recognize the goodness of this
moment you have to understand the place
back then.
My first board meetings were at picnic tables on the first floor of the
Academy building, which at the time, was across the street from the
Matterhorn. We rented that space; it was very funky. The dining room was
the entrance hall, study hall, part-time boot/ski room, and board meeting
room. On the second floor someone thought brown carpeting was so great
they’d extended it up onto the walls, half way to the ceiling. The place was
small—shall we say rustic?—and, honestly, fully in keeping with our rebel,
underdog identity that, despite our new digs, happily continues to this day.
But what Lori and we learned in that space and at that time was that this
school was special, no matter where it was. In spite of our funkiness—maybe
actually because of it—the students, faculty, board, and small MMWA
community was fiercely devoted. And the result was that year after year of
graduating classes became bound by a powerful sense that they’d been part
of something truly cool.
We’ve been at the current campus—four whole buildings!—for six
years now and that spirit is more palpable than ever. The move down the
road was carefully planned, but even with planning it was a gamble:
Can we get more students? Can we grow this thing? Will it work?
We borrowed, raised money, begged, prayed, lost sleep.
director’s
9EHD;H
Dear MMWA Community,
The purchase of the present Academy “campus” was
an accomplishment that was
overwhelming to me initially.
When we moved in we had so
much more space and options for
classrooms, living space, tuning
space—including a comfortable student area and separate ping-pong
room. I even got my very own office!
Before I knew it, we were tight on space. The classrooms became too
crowded, dorm space a bit snug and staff housing limited. The library
now doubles as a classroom, the ping-pong table had to be moved into
the boot room and the closets were filling with supplies. I needed more
space—really? My woes fell to the Board of Directors, with me whining at every meeting that we would need more space soon. As we were
not in a financial place to even consider a new building or renovation,
they smiled politely and we would move on to the next agenda item.
One day, while searching for hotel in Tahoe, I stumbled upon a
place that offered yurts to stay in. They were amazing! In all my creative wisdom (neither of which I am overly bestowed with) I decided
THIS could be the answer to our problem. After comparing companies
and products, I presented my brainchild project to the board. As many
And it worked.
These days the student body is more than twice what it was half a decade
ago, we have our own school campus, we have more teachers and a growing
staff. We draw from a growing geographic area, and while we’ve known many
of our students since their J5 years we now attract students with no previous
connection to our ski club programs, something that was unheard of a few
years ago. While we are rooted in traditions and the overarching aim is to be
strong and permanent, little at the Academy stands still.
Lori asked me to join the board after spotting me as an eager-beaver dad
with two young kids in the club programs. I like to think she was trying to
keep me out of trouble, and trying to help me be a better ski-racing dad,
which has been a challenge. I’ve watched with amazement and admiration
how she’s nurtured, grown and burnished every aspect of this school, from
the teaching staff to the classrooms, the facilities to the administration and
procedures. And let’s not forget her work to help build a strong and active
board with a powerful depth of skills. Maybe that’s my retirement queue.
I recently asked Lori if she could look up the date of my first board meeting,
sometime in the last century, back when our current board member Emily
Copeland was, amazingly, still a student. I recall only two things about that
meeting: a lady on the board at the time having a little fun with my undeniably
weird name and, despite that, feeling a first little thrill of excitement at being
part of something really, really fun. It was so long ago that Lori was unable to
actually tell me how long I’ve served (clearly since before recorded board history
began in 1996!). But that thrill I felt (whenever that was) has never waned, and
because of it, these years have past in the blink of an eye.
With deepest gratitude to everyone who is—and has been—part of all this,
Biddle Duke
Outgoing Board Member
of you know, I am not one to be dissuaded when I get onto something.
They gave me their blessing and the plans proceeded. After we applied
for a zoning permit and got Labor & Industry approval, the yurt was
ordered and the slab was poured.
The next hurdle was getting it built. Under the direction of Gordon
Dixon, who pointed out some of those minor details I had not considered,
(deck vs. slab, wiring, flooring and heating source), I begin to sweat a little.
Hoping that it would arrive by the volunteer work weekend I had scheduled, that the weather would cooperate (“Do Not Attempt to Construct
Your Yurt on a Windy Day” graced the cover of the instruction manual!),
and enough people would feel sorry enough for me to help get this yurt
built in three days did provide for a few sleepless nights.
In the end, it took three days to build; we had just enough volunteers so we didn’t trip over ourselves; the weather cooperated mostly;
and a few individuals with building experience closed the door at 3
p.m. on Sunday. What came out of this project was the support and
sense of humor that laced each step, and the joint effort that made it
all possible. Truly, this sense of spirit is far more important to me than
the space itself. Ultimately, the new yurt generated more of that great
camaraderie that the MMWA community is famous for!
2 | Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org
Lori Furrer
Director
2011/12 MMWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DEB MARTIN, PRESIDENT ❆ SCOTT CARPENTER,VICE PRESIDENT
EMILY COPELAND, SECRETARY ❆ LORI FURRER, DIRECTOR
BIDDLE DUKE ❆ JAN FIELDER ❆ ADAM GUTSTEIN ❆ CAROLINE MORTIMER
MARY ROHR ❆ NICK SARGENT
2011/12 FACULTY
ENGLISH
JOE MCGOVERN
MICHAEL POTVIN
BOB ST. PIERRE
MARY STEWART
TODD TOWNSEND
DEBBIE WALDMAN
MATT WILLIAMS
MATH
NANCY GLEASON
BECKY MCGOVERN
DEB MARTIN
JAMES MEADE
BARRY NEILSEN
NICOLE ULLIAN
REED TINSLEY
SCIENCE
CAP CHENOWETH
ANGELA COTE
JAMIE LONG
TAYLOR MIKELL
KATIE PINDELL
MARY SABELLI
CAROLINE WILLIAMS
TIM ZIEGLER
SOCIAL STUDIES
TYLER ARNOT
NICOLE DINAPOLI
DAVE MACGOWAN
BETH MCDERMOTT
MATT WILLIAMS
SHAWN WOODS
LANGUAGES
IRENE BAREAU
SANDRA BARRON
ROLAND BERGERON
PRISCILLA THROOP
ART
AND
ELECTIVES
MATT MOORE
COLLEEN PRUSS
TODD TOWNSEND
2011/12 STAFF
DIRECTOR: LORI FURRER
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR: JODY BUZZELL
ADMINISTRATION/SCHEDULING: JANE SEQUIST, BONNIE KNIGHT
COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING: CASSIE WILLNER
ASSISTANT ACADEMIC COORDINATOR: DAVE MACGOWAN
LIBRARY: BONNIE KNIGHT
FACILITY MAINTENANCE: MIKE NIGRO
DORM PARENTS
MARY STEWART AND MIKE NIGRO, HEAD DORM PARENTS
COLLEEN PRUSS, MARY SABELLI, MATT WILLIAMS
NICOLE DINAPOLI, ANDY SMITH
CHEF
JEFF PERKINS
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 3
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CCM7Êi9Wcfki
Continued from page 1
Dixon, a MMWA parent and local owner of Gordon
Dixon Construction, provided invaluable oversight
and guidance throughout the project. Many thanks
as well to Cap Chenoweth and Doug Armbruster for
their leadership, advice, and expertise throughout the
yurt-raising, as well as many others. The greatest part
of the project was the positive energy that pervaded
throughout the entire construction process. Thank
you to all our volunteers—we couldn’t have done it
without you. ❆
Below: All done! Gordon Dixon, Topher Harlow, Julie
Rogers, Alita Rogers, Jamie Harlow, Bill Rogers, Doug
Armbruster, and Cap Chenoweth (L-R) show off their
finished work.
Gordon Dixon (L) and Jamie Harlow
(R), a MMSC J3 coach, install the
bracing for the yurt’s roof.
MMWA students Alita Rogers and
Colleen Cataldo team together to put in
the bolts on the bracing.
EKH7C7P?D=
OKHJ#H7?I?D=
LEBKDJ;;HI0
John Angier
Doug Armbruster
Colleen Cataldo
Cap Chenoweth
Steve Collopy
Calvin Dixon
Gordon Dixon
Bobby Farrell
Lori Furrer
Jamie Harlow
Topher Harlow
Shawn Hayden
Michelle Jordan
Deb Martin
Alita Rogers
Bill & Julie Rogers
Phil Schoepke
Mary Stewart
Gordon van den Noort
Cassie & Charlie Willner
OKHJ?ICI
B C C
The following terms are in widespread use throughout the world.
Yurtology: The study of yurts.
Yurtonomy: The effect of yurt
sales on GNP.
Conyurtible: Yurt with
removable top.
Yurticious: One who is
cute about yurts.
Yurtalet: Small yurt used
as outdoor toilet.
Yurtation: A quote involving
yurts.
Yurtprint: Mark on ground
where yurt used to be.
Yurtlet: A tiny yurt.
Yurtification: The process
of building a yurt.
Desyurt: Sweet offered in yurt.
Also can be large, hot and
barren area with no yurts.
4 | Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org
Yurtless: One who owns
no yurts.
Yurting: An organized
expedition to locate
ancient yurts.
Yurtball: A highly competitive
game involving little bouncy
balls inside a yurt.
CCM7
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E
nce again MMWA kicked off its opening week of
classes with the Annual Community Day as a way to
enhance the sense of community amongst MMWA
students, as well as foster a spirit of volunteering in
the local community at large. Students, staff, and parent volunteers
worked together on two different projects for the United Way and
Project Linus.
The United Way group prepared and stacked firewood for those
in need of winter heating assistance; while the Project Linus crew
made quilts that will be distributed to children in hospitals, shelters,
and social service agencies. Many thanks to our parent volunteers for
not only pitching in to help out but also teach students how to use
sewing machines and patiently oversee the projects to completion. ❆
So nice it warms you twice. The United Way group working hard
while chucking and stacking firewood.
MMWA freshmen Alex Van Raalte (L) and Sandra Schoepke (R) pitch
in together for the United Way firewood project.
Jamie Johnson (center) irons out a finished quilt for Project Linus.
Sophie Leiter, Neza Stefanic, Lucy Merriam, and Sarah Reilly (L-R)
with a finished baby quilt.
Ben Greenspan, Alex Bleda, and Fran Magurno (L-R) hold up their
colorful creation.
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 5
B[Whd_d]
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M
hen MMWA students are not
skiing or training, they are
in class. They are studying
Shakespeare in English, learning about the
stock market in social studies, cramming
for calculus tests, and creating incredibly
beautiful artwork. Above all, they are learning to balance rich academic experiences
with outstanding athletic achievements.
We could not be more impressed and
proud of our students and faculty in their
pursuits of learning. ❆
“Self portrait.” Drawing by Sloane Ross.
Connor Anthony sold MMWA hats for
his business class with Nicki Dinapoli at
MMWA. Anthony, a freshman, selected the
design and was able to take in a profit for
pre-orders alone.
Art students Molly Danzig, Denali Balser,
and Issy James (L-R) visited the Shelburne
Museum for a private tour in March. The
three students went on a fieldtrip to see the
Impressionist Gallery for their art history
and photography classes at MMWA.
“Word.” Digital art by Alex Bleda.
For Trent Gutstein’s Tech Ed class, he had
the challenge of designing something made
of out recycled materials. Trent used old skis
and poles for this unique chair!
Senior Colleen Cataldo (L) at work in
the pottery studio.
Photo by Molly Danzig. Molly, a junior
at MMWA, initiated and organized a
MMWA school yearbook this year. With
the guidance of advisor Todd Townsend,
Molly collected material for the yearbook
and laid out the design via the online
software program Entourage. Molly also
independently solicited over $1,500 in
donations to offset and lower costs, thereby
allowing students to pay only $15 for a full
color and hard cover yearbook.
6 | Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org
F=Ifejb_]^j08[iiJ[W]k[
8
Social studies teacher Tyler Arnot (L) and Ben Greenspan
at work in the yurt. Arnot, who carries the reputation
as one of the “toughest” teachers at MMWA, will begin
a master’s at Harvard University in International
Education Policy this fall.
M^WjWh[ekhj[WY^[hiWdZijW\\
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MMWA teachers are with us from November to April. And
then, like the students, they take off! One might ask where do
they go? Here’s a brief sampling of what some of our teachers are
up to for the rest of the year.
Debbie Waldran has always been a teacher and enjoyed the
summers off. She likes to keep it that way and play! Jody Buzzell,
also a former public school teacher, hopes to be working as little as
possible and will be traveling to Nantucket and Ireland.
Caroline Williams lives in Morrisville and tries to keep up with
her FOUR kids! Mary Sabelli is starting a graduate program in
Environmental Education at UNH in July and will say so long to
Stowe for the time being. Nancy Gleason continues her private
math and SAT tutoring business. Priscilla Throop keeps her Latin
skills sharp by translating Medieval Latin texts.
Some of the staff will be heading to work outside. Bob St.
Pierre works on the grounds crew at the Stowe Mountain Resort
golf course. Cassie Willner leads bicycle tours for VBT Bicycling
Vacations in Vermont, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Colleen Pruss also heads to the Cape to work for the Cape Cod
Sea Camps. Tyler Arnot and Taylor Mikell, along with MMSC
coach Micheline Lemay, run their own summer day camp out of
MMWA’s yurt called Rugged Adventures.
In the local Stowe area, a few faculty members manage to stay
busy at local businesses or as self-employed entrepreneurs. Katie
Pindell makes and sells goat cheese from her business Sage Farm
Goat Dairy. You can find her at the Stowe and Waitsfield Farmers’
Markets this summer. Meanwhile you can find Michael Potvin
at Pie in the Sky where he is not only a bartender but also the
restaurant manager. Mary Stewart is living locally and working at
the Trapp Family Lodge—you might even see Mary zipping along
the paved roads on her roller skis occasionally! Becky McGovern
bakes and sells homemade pies along with part-time work at the
Harvest Market. Jamie Long is a self-employed gardener in Stowe
and also works part-time at the Blue Moon Café.
oarding student Bess Teague holds a unique position at MMWA. She is the sole Canadian and
PG student at MMWA this year, impressing
everyone with her work ethic and ready smile.
Teague, 19, decided to take a PG year because she loves
ski racing and wanted to spend a year to focus on training.
She hails from Woodstock, New Brunswick in Canada and
attended Woodstock High School. “Where I come from,
ski racing isn’t popular,” said Teague. “I wanted to get out
of Atlantic Canada to see what racing is like somewhere else
and how I would compete.”
Teague used this year to train, make personal improvements, and explore the possibilities of competitive ski racing.
She came to MMWA because she was born in Vermont
and lived in Stowe for five years. “I grew up with my dad
always telling me how much better Vermont racing is than
New Brunswick,” said Teague. “It was cool to spend a year
training and racing on the same mountain I learned how to
ski on.”
After classes and training concluded this spring, Teague
returned to New Brunswick to work at the Sabian factory (a
cymbal manufacturer). She is still deciding between attending St. Francis Xavier University, Mount Allison University,
or University of New Brunswick this fall. In the meanwhile,
Teague will be traveling to the Bahamas for two weeks and
Italy for another two weeks this summer.
“My goal for this year was to see what I could do,” said
Teague in retrospect. “I feel improved and have a greater understanding of the sport now thanks to everyone at MMWA
and MMSC.”
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 7
MMWA
8kbb[j_d
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Chef Jeff Perkins at his prep station
in the MMWA kitchen.
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MMSC and MMWA friends, families,
and alumni rallied together on March
24th for the Homecoming & Club
Championships race. Participants
enjoyed a short GS duals course on a
beautiful spring day, followed by a bbq
at the MMSC Clubhouse. Alumni
at the event included Connor Moriarty, Taylor Mikell, Emily Copeland,
Olivia Caccavo, Megan Howard, and
Hannah Allen (L-R).
C[[j@[\\j^[9^[\
MMWA welcomed Jeff Perkins as our new chef this year.
Perkins, 27, became an invaluable addition to MMWA not
only for his delicious, nutritious food but also for his easy
going manner and willingness to try new things.
After working as an executive chef at Winter Park resort
restaurant in Colo. for the last four years, Perkins decided to
moved back to Vermont having lived here for some 15 years of
his life. Perkins saw the ad posted in Craigslist for the position
back in the fall and decided to jump on the opportunity. In
addition to cooking lunches and dinners for MMWA students
and faculty, Perkins also washed dishes (a position previously
hired out to an additional employee) and ensured the kitchen
remained spotless.
“It’s been different working here versus at a restaurant,” said
Perkins. “But I really enjoy the normal hours, plus it’s cool to
see the kids everyday.”
Some of his fan favorites here at the Academy included steak
kabobs, carne asada, cranberry balsamic pork, pineapple glazed
meatloaf, and his homemade soups (including roasted red pepper
and feta). Perkins always included vegetarian options and strove
to make his dishes as healthy as possible.
Perkins enjoys skiing, golf, and is a huge Boston sports fan.
He is hoping to cook at a golf course this summer and plans to
stay in Stowe.
MMSC Head
J5/6 coach
Micheline Lemay
with her daughter
(and racer!)
Sofija at the
Homecoming
& Club
Championships.
MMWA
senior Tucker
Angier with
his mother
Linda Zamvil.
8 | Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org
E
7DDK7B<KD:7FF;7B
ur goal for this year’s Annual Fund
was $60,000 and we had an incredible
year of giving. To date, we have raised
over $63,000. In addition to the generous
personal donations from alums, friends,
and families of MMWA, we also received a
number of grants and matching gifts. Annual
Fund contributions serve to bridge the gap
that tuition fees do not cover and support
a number of upgrades and improvements
to our program. A portion of this year’s
proceeds supported the following projects and
purchases:
• The yurt
• Energy efficient lighting in the student
lounge, math room, and offices
• Science lab table
• Textbooks for teachers
• Washer and dryer
• Freezer
Proposed projects for the 2012-13 Annual Fund:
• Driveway entry repair and paving
• Interior upgrades on the entryway, dining
room, English/science rooms, and boot/game
rooms
• Interior upgrades on chalet 1 and 2
Our new fiscal year begins May 1, 2012 and
we are grateful for donations of any size that
help our growing program provide academic
excellence with outstanding snow sport success.
J>7DAOEKJEEKH(&''Å'(
7DDK7B<KD::EDEHIJE:7J; Michael & Jenna Anthony
Christine Armstrong
Betsy Austin
Irene Bareau
Allan Beck
Jesse Beck & Kevin Veller
Ken Biedermann/Green Mountain Inn
Ron Biedermann Jake Blauvelt
Jeff & Marcy Blauvelt
Alec & Heidi Brackenridge
Jim & Kathy Bresee
Paul & Gayle Brown
Chess Brownell
Charlie & Mary Brush
Jody Buzzell
Carter Casner
Thomas & Chris Cavin
Chartis/Stowe Mountain Resort
Bob Cochran
Abigail Copeland
Emily Copeland & Pete Land
John & Stephanie Copeland
In honor of all teachers past and present
Katherine Coppock
Jenny & Caleb Cross
Pat Cunningham
Suzanne & Stan Danzig
Biddle & Idoline Duke
Amy Durland & Robert Mains
Walter & Holly Dyar
John & Julie Egenberg
Josey & Lori Furrer
Graham Furlong
Mark & Bonnie George
Erik Gilbert
Stephen & Kathleen Gillen
Chuck & Deb Goller
Reid & Jane Grayson
In memory of Sara Grayson
Richard Grubman & Caroline Mortimer
Adam & Denise Gutstein
Seth & Karen Harlow
David Hazelett
InnerWorkings
Anne & Mark Ireland
Jenny & Alan James
Dan Johnson & Lisa Pizzagalli
Karl Johnson
Steve & Lindy Kelley
Bonnie Knight
In memory of Woody, Margo, and George
Suzanne & Jay Leiter
Walter Levering & Carolyn Ruschp
Justine & James Magurno, Jr.
Dustin Martin
Mike & Deb Martin
Donna & Mike Martini
Beth McDermott & Marty Bak
Betty McGill
Cindy & Jeff McKechnie
Christopher McKown & Abigail Johnson
Bunny & Peter Merrill
Donald Miller
Mike & Marion Moore
Kate O’Malley & Geoffrey Bruce
Margaret & Andy Paul
Lu Ann & Lowell Pyke
Meredith Pyke
Nick & Ashley Sargent
Tim Scherbatskoy
David & Jane Sequist
Tom & Sam Sequist
Katie Shepherd
Mary Stewart
Sam & Lynn Strober
The Oakland Foundation
The Skier Shop
Peter Van Raalte & Jan Fielder
*As of April 10, 2012
Sponsors: Commodores Inn, Edgewise Elite Ski Service, Factotum Designs, Gatorade, The Sports & Rehab Clinic, The Stowe Reporter
Matching: EADS North America, Regions Financial Corporation, The Duke Energy Foundation, The GE Foundation
Scholarship Donors: Anonymous, The Robert J. & Mary C. Rohr Charitable Trust
In-Kind Gifts: Gordon Dixon Construction, Sunworks
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 9
CCM7=hWZkWj_ed9[h[cedo
E
n Thursday, March 29th, Mt. Mansfield Winter
Academy students, parents, faculty members,
coaches and friends gathered at the Stowe
Community Church to celebrate and recognize the
achievements of the MMWA community.
The evening kicked off with some food, appetizers, and
mingling amongst the student art show displaying the creative
talents of MMWA potters, painters, printmakers, photographers,
and artists. Once the ceremony began upstairs in the main hall,
teachers from each discipline presented academic awards, as well
as the entertaining dorm awards for this year’s boarding students.
Director Lori Furrer, who was compared to Cornelius Fudge by
senior Michael Williams in his “MMWA as Hogwarts” speech,
also delivered her remarks on the unique history of MMWA
and MMSC. Ultimately, Furrer reminded us that many years of
people, planning, and hard work have come together to build the
MMWA and MMSC community.
Lastly, the graduating seniors each delivered their exceptional,
intelligent, thoughtful, and humorous speeches. They spoke
with poise and candor; and each student was careful to
express gratitude to their parents, coaches, and teachers for
the opportunities they had while with MMWA and MMSC.
Congratulations and best wishes to MMWA seniors Tucker
Angier, Hayley Armbruster, Colleen Cataldo, Issy James, Fran
Magurno, Andrew Overton, and Michael Williams as they
embark on their next adventures in life.
CCM77ddkWb7mWhZiWdZIY^ebWhi^_fi
7hj0 Hayley Armbruster
IY_[dY[0 Lucy Merriam
<h[dY^0 Denali Balser
;d]b_i^0 Ben Greenspan
CWj^0 Tucker Angier
BWj_d0 Colleen Cataldo
>_ijeho0 Andrew Overton
IfWd_i^0 Molly Danzig
The MMWA class of 2012: Michael Williams, Fran Magurno, Tucker
Angier, Andrew Overton (back row L-R), Issy James, Colleen Cataldo,
Hayley Armbruster (front row L- R).
Bel[e\B[Whd_d]0presented to a student who shows true
pleasure in learning and a curiosity for the world around them
– Issy James
;nY[bb[dY[_dJ[WY^_d]7mWhZ0selected by MMWA
seniors – Social Studies Teacher Shawn Woods
:_h[YjehÊi7mWhZ0 presented to a student who stands out in
an individual way, has overcome a variety of challenges, persevered
to become a successful student and best represents the philosophy of
MMWA – Alex Bleda
M[dZoDekh`_Wd7mWhZ0 presented to a student-athlete who
best represents Wendy’s qualities of adventure, individuality, concern
for others and a love of life – Neza Stefanic
=[eh][Jehc[oIY^ebWhi^_f0presented to a student who
in a simple manner goes about pursuing his/her goals and dreams
Director Lori Furrer welcomes the graduation audience at the Stowe Community Church.
10 | Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org
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Seniors Issy James and Hayley Armbruster present the annual
MMWA Excellence in Teaching Award to social studies teacher
Shawn Woods.
Juniors Alita
Rogers (L)
and Linley
Shaw (R)
with MMWA
business
teacher, dorm
parent, and
MMSC J4
coach Nicki
Dinapoli (C).
and demonstrates a signature smile, a strong work ethic and
dedication to the sport – Courtney Hayden
HWo<_[bZIY^ebWhi^_f0 presented to a student who
displays an extraordinary commitment to the sport of ski racing and
pursues an outside interest with equal passion – Colby Jordan
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9b[Wd[ijHeec0 Sam Dyar and Alita Rogers
8[ij>[bf[h0 Andrew Overton
9bWii9bemd0 Jamie Johnson
CeijB_a[bojeFhej[ij:_i^:kjo0 Colby Jordan
7YWZ[co8Wa[h0 Neza Stefanic
8[ijEd[#B_d[h9ec[XWYai0 Ben Greenspan
eed a goal to stay fit
this summer? How
about the Darn
Tough Ride, a benefit bicycle
ride for Mt. Mansfield Winter
Academy on September 2, 2012.
After three years of running the successful Stowe Road Rally,
MMWA decided that a new route and new challenges were in
order for the annual fundraising bike event. With sponsorship from
Northfield-based sock maker Darn Tough Vermont, the newly
designed event is now called the “Darn Tough Ride.”
The Full Darn Tough Ride is indeed... Darn Tough! The complete
route is a 100-mile loop from Stowe over to Jay Peak and back
over Smugglers’ Notch. The total elevation is an impressive 5656’,
including two Category 2 climbs, one Category 4 climb, and six
Category 5 climbs. Riders are expected to complete the ride in less
than 6.5 hours.
To satisfy the competitive spirit of its participants, including skiers
and cyclists alike, organizers are working on incorporating two timed
hill climbs (Jay Peak and Smugglers’ Notch). The Darn Tough Ride is
still a ride to be enjoyed with friends but this added component will
also bring the possibility of including a team competition, as well as a
king and a queen of the mountain to stimulate a little friendly rivalry
in the peloton.
Participants of all abilities can partake in the ride. Route options
include distances of 100K (63 mi.), 45 miles, and a friendly 25-mile
route along Randolph Road. The Darn Tough Ride is fully supported
and will have rest and refuelling stops along the way. The ride
concludes with a party and plenty of food at MMWA.
Start recruiting your friends and working on your pedal power;
this will be a ride to be remembered! We hope that you will join us
and remember to save the date for September 2, 2012. ❆
Cyclists
gather bright
and early at
MMWA for
the start of
the 2011
bike ride.
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Bates, Castleton State College, Clarkson, College of
Idaho, Colorado College, Middlebury College, Penn State
University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rocky
Mountain College, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael’s
College, Southern New Hampshire University, St. Lawrence
University, University of Maine at Farmington, University
of New Hampshire, University of Vermont ❆
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Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy | PO Box 3269 | Stowe, VT 05672 | 802.253.7409 | www.mmwa.org | 11
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy
P.O. Box 3269, Stowe, VT 05672
802.253.7409
www.mmwa.org
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Consider MMWA to host your next event or
business meeting. Our space is available for
special events, meetings and lodging. Bike
groups, family reunions, sports banquets, college
retreats and business groups have stayed with us
or held meetings here during our off-season.
We provide overnight accommodations,
classroom space, ample parking, lodging, full
kitchen and dining facility and campus-wide
wireless Internet service.
Our staff can assist in planning educational
& recreational activities for facility guests.
To host your event at MMWA, visit
www.mmwa.org/rental or email [email protected].
Thank you to the
Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy
2011 – 12 Sponsors:
Non Profit Org.
US. Postage
PAID
Stowe, Vermont
05672
Permit No. 3269