SEPTEMBER E-SPILLWAY NEWSLETTER |
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On September 28th, we welcomed 73 student-athletes from all five disciplines (Alpine, Freestyle, Snowboard, Ski Cross, and Backcountry) back to campus on Fall Registration Day. It was so nice to see our new and returning families excited to start the 2022-2023 school year with us! |
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Families came from six countries across the globe, from as close as Carrabassett Valley to as far away as Turkey. Families met with teachers, staff, and our healthcare team to make sure they were ready for the start of the school year.
At CVA, our Academic programs are innovative, rigorous, and rewarding. Our student-athletes learn in collaborative classrooms where they advocate for themselves and are held accountable for their work and effort. Our students learn invaluable organizational and time-management skills that prepare them for what lies ahead.
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Our Athletic programs are focused and fun, challenging and rewarding. We value effort and hard word, encourage risk-taking, and develop grit and perseverance. Our coaches are passionate professionals who do everything it takes to provide our athletes with the opportunities to be the best they can be. A life here in Carrabassett Valley is meant to be lived outdoors, and we instill this love of the outdoors in our students each day. |
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Our community is Carrabassett Valley. Our community is Sugarloaf. Our community is every person currently here and everyone who has come before. Our purpose is to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, habits, and fortitude to live happy and fulfilling lives after they graduate. By supporting each other as a community we will surely reach this goal.
For some, this is a brand-new school, full of new people and experiences. For others, walking through the front door is like coming home. Our culture is one of kindness and respect, where every individual matters. CVA is our family; you are our family.
At the start of this new school year, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the Big Dogs - students, families, alumni, and supporters. Thank you for your commitment to CVA and to our mission. I look forward to ringing in our 41st year with all of you!
Regards,
Kate Webber Punderson '89
Head of School
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CVA Seniors Get National Awards |
Congratulations to Kai Glidden '23 and Dahlia Saifee '23, the 2022 The College Board National Recognition Program awardees! We’re so proud of your academic achievements and the work you put in to get ready for college.
Kai and Dahlia received this award for their outstanding performance on their 2021 PSATs and overall GPAs.
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Camps, Camps, and More Camps! |
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Technical Training in Corralco, Chile |
FIS and U16
FIS and U16 Alpine Academy student-athletes traveled to Corralco, Chile in August for a pre-seasoning training camp. All athletes trained together at this first camp of the season, which enhanced the team dynamic. The goals for this camp were to establish the technical foundation for the 2022-2023 season, gain significant mileage skiing at speed to reinforce the improvements, and to take advantage of the great giant slalom training. The 2+ week camp included drills, technical work, directed free skiing, and many powder days. The camp began with 9 consecutive days of skiing, with a number of athletes transitioning into giant slalom gate training for the final three days of the block. The training venue was alongside a short surface lift, with a lift time of 2.5 minutes. Athletes skied in close proximity and were able to observe one another between runs, creating an ideal environment. It was a preview of how The Podium Project will positively impact on-snow training at Sugarloaf later this season. Following the initial block of skiing a storm front moved in with approximately six feet of new snow. The student-athletes had an additional three days of skiing, the final two with sun and amazing conditions!
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U12 and U14
The Academy and Weekend Program athletes spent 9 full days training in Chile as well. Similar to the FIS and U16 athletes, these athletes had a significant focus on early-season technical development in the elements of Slalom and GS. Full-day training sessions helped athletes get a lot of mileage under their belts and allowed for tremendous skills progression. Because of the favorable conditions, these athletes had the opportunity to free ski on a wide variety of natural elements, making for a great training venue and a natural playground for the students to learn and grow.
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Summer on Snow in British Columbia |
The Freestyle Moguls athletes enjoyed a 6-day, on-snow training camp at Whistler, British Columbia from late June to early July. In partnership with Momentum Camps, student-athletes trained on the Horstman Glacier at the top of Blackcomb Mountain which features 12 lines of perfect bumps on a super course measuring 80' wide x 920′ long.
Athletes focused on learning the correct way to absorb, control speed, and ski the zipper line along with practicing their airs on soft, summer bumps.
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Water Ramps at Lake Placid |
Academy and Weekend Program Freestyle Moguls athletes attended water ramps training at the MacKenzie Intervale Ski Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, NY throughout the month of August. Water ramp training provides freestyle athletes the chance to improve their airs, test out new tricks, and safely practice inverted and off-axis maneuvers before the season officially begins, with the goal of qualifying to take new maneuvers to snow for the 2022-2023 season.
Campers trained twice daily on the ramping facility, for about 1.5 hours per session, and on the trampoline for 1 hour each day.
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In June, our Freestyle Park student-athletes headed to Maximise in Quebec to hone their skills. They got to use the airbag, which offers the same inclination as a standard park landing. This allowed student-athletes the opportunity to practice their tricks, before executing them on the snow.
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Kennedy Hicks to Represent the National Brotherhood of Skiers |
Her selection was based on her academic performance, citizenship, and commitment to winter snow sports. Kennedy is a mogul skier in her third year at CVA. She qualified for her first Junior Nationals last season and laid down some great runs. Kennedy shows grit and determination both in the classroom and in competition. She is an excellent student and community member, and we are so proud of her for her selection to the NBS Competition Team!
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Over Labor Day weekend, all students in grades 8 - 12, set off on their student orientation trips. These trips are intended to help ease the transition into CVA life by providing incoming students with a welcoming, and inclusive, small-group experience. They also provide new students with the opportunity to get to know classmates, faculty, coaches, and staff members in a relaxed and informal setting. Most of all, these trips are about bonding, and having fun!
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The 8th grade class ventured to Northern Waters Outfitters in Errol, New Hampshire where they went whitewater rafting on the Androscoggin River, camped at Northern Waters, and learned canoe skills and rescue techniques before paddling on Lake Umbagog.
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The freshmen class spent the weekend camping off the coast of Maine near Stonington with Ocean Explorers Maine. They sailed on a 47' schooner, learned seamanship skills, camped on an uninhabited island, and sang sea shanties by the fire with the famous folk singer/ songwriter Doug Day.
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The sophomore class traveled to North Conway, NH where they went rock climbing near Mount Washington and camping overnight at Barnes Field Campground. |
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The junior class spent the weekend at Northern Outdoors in The Forks, Maine. Their adventure included completing a ropes course, camping, and whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River.
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The senior class went on a three day, two night canoe trip with Allagash Canoe Trips in the Moosehead Lake region of Maine. This trip was led by CVA alumnus, U.S. Ski Team athlete, and Registered Maine Guide, Sam Morse '13.
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...And Back to Hear Some Amazing Speakers |
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Thank you to John Morello for coming to CVA to perform his one-man show that touched on themes of substance abuse, bullying, ageism, mental health, diversity and more, entitled "Dirt".
By playing a cast of 4 characters, John (an actor, comedian, poet , and author) was able to share a powerful message about how we are all connected and how the choices that we make in life impact not only ourselves, but those around us.
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Thank you to Tristy Wolfe for bringing John to the CVA campus and to Waylon Wolfe for the video! |
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Putting Things in Perspective |
Alex Hackel visited the CVA campus recently. He is a decorated professional skier who made the U.S. Freeski Team as a teenager and competed for three years at the World Cups for the United States of America. He later became a two-time medalist at the X Games, an annual extreme sports event organized, produced, and broadcasted by ESPN.
Students and staff listened to Alex’s first-hand experience on harnessing the power of different perspectives to create unimagined possibilities.
Big Dog appreciation goes out to Alex for taking the time to visit CVA and inspiring our students and staff.
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Introducing the New Clubs at CVA |
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The Carrabassett NEMBA Chapter (CRNEMBA) was formed in 2010 and has made it their mission to engage the mountain bike community and continue trail building. With the combined effort of CRNEMBA, Maine Huts and Trails, Sugarloaf, and The Town of Carrabassett Valley, our region has over 100 miles of trail.
The vast trail network in Carrabassett Valley is an opportunity for our student athletes to engage, explore, and enjoy the beautiful landscape that surrounds CVA. From cross country trails following the Carrabassett River to the enduro track twisting down Sugarloaf, we have it all.
The Mountain Bike Club at CVA will offer students with the opportunity to:
- Learn and practice various riding techniques, including body and pedal position, shifting, braking, climbing, descending, and navigating minor obstacles on the trail
- Build confidence in riding, both on and off the trail
- Improve rider communication skills and trail etiquette
- Provide cross-discipline athletes with a sense of community through mountain biking
- Gain competitive experience while participating in 3 Eastern Region League races (optional)
- Wednesday, September 28th in Gorham NH
- Wednesday, October 5th Enduro at Mt. Abram
- Saturday, October 15th at Gould Academy
This club sport practices twice weekly and is led by Coach Anne Rockwell. Anne grew up in northern Maine and is an CVA alumni class of 2010. After completing her competitive racing career at Bates College, it was not long before mountain biking entered the scene. Now Anne brings her level 1 Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Certification and love of riding to the CVA mountain bike team. Her goal is to support those that ride and encourage others to discover the fun sport of single track.
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This year at CVA, we have students on campus from 6 different countries.
It’s important that all students feel at home on campus, which is why this year we’ve started a new club to celebrate our diverse backgrounds.
The World Cultures Club will offer opportunities for all students to express their cultural identities and varying backgrounds while learning about others.
Some of the activities the club has already planned include international food nights, celebrating international holidays, and sharing international music playlists.
This club is led by Math/ Science teacher, Jessie Scannell.
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Anna Drumstas '16 and Dev Thomas '16 |
In 2016, two of our CVA student-athletes, Anna Drumstas and Dev Thomas graduated from CVA. In 2022, those same alumni came together, along with many CVA alumni, friends, and family, to be married at Sugarloaf Mountain in a wedding officiated by our very own Athletic Trainer, Tristy Wolfe! Art teacher and professional photographer, Waylon Wolfe, took the couples high-school headshots in 2016 and wedding photos in 2022!
Congratulations to these alumni. Their CVA journey has come full circle!
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Alison DiGravio '09 and Ken Huynh |
Alison DiGravio, class of 2009, married Ken Huynh in a beautiful ceremony at the Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah on July 1, 2022. Alison, along with her father, Ron, former CVA Head Moguls Coach, and brother Ron and David, also CVA graduates, celebrated alongside family, friends, and CVA alumni. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR PSO VOLUNTEERS |
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There was an amazing parent turnout at the first Parent Support Organization (PSO) meeting this Fall. The mission of the PSO at CVA is to promote understanding, cooperation, and communication among parents, teachers, and coaches, and to supplement (where needed) the financial and cultural resources of Carrabassett Valley Academy.
Congratulations, and thank you, to our PSO Executive Committee Members:
- Chairperson- Deborah Wetmore P'26
- Co-Chairperson - Jamie Sevigny P'25
- Activities Chair - Cortney Klemperer P'25 & '27
Additional Lead Volunteers:
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Communications - Kristie Berube P'27
- Scholarship Bash - Danielle Marquis P'24
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Wreath Sale Committee - Rachelle Cummings-Gerry P'24, Kate Landry P’26, and Jamie Cole P’26
Many other parents raised their hand and committed to working toward our common goals. There are many ways to be a part of the PSO. Contact Deborah Wetmore at cvapso@gocva.com to find out how you can help.
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Get ahead of the fall season rush and order team jackets today! |
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Team Jackets Available Now! |
The CVA Team Store through SYNC Performance is now open. New for the 2022/23 season, ALL team jackets are available now through the SYNC Store. Small sizes are limited, so order your jackets early, while supplies last. You can also shop recently-updated designs of dryland training gear including shirts, hoodies, joggers, and more. |
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No one knows – and loves – CVA like you do. Do you mind sharing your unique experience and insight with other families looking to make this important choice? |
CVA is on the following websites, built on reviews, which help families decide what school is best for them. Just a few minutes of your time writing a review on these sites will have a positive impact on the future of CVA. Thank you for being the most important part of the CVA story!
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Become a part of the Big Dog team. |
Enjoy working with an elite ski and snowboard academy nestled in the mountains of Western Maine? Join a team committed to helping student athletes thrive! |
Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA) is now hiring for the following positions:
- Alpine Coaches: Academy and Weekend Program
- Freestyle Coaches: Academy and Weekend Program
- Ski Cross Coaches: Academy and Weekend Program
- Snowboarding Coaches: Weekend Program
- Maintenance/Custodial
- 7th Grade Math Teacher (Winter Term Only)
Enjoy great benefits, including no-cost, on-campus housing (pending availability) and meals for full-time employees.
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Opportunities range from full-time, year-round to part-time, seasonal employment. Full job descriptions can be found on our website. For more information, contact Kate Punderson by email at kpunderson@gocva.com or by phone at
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COUNTING DOWN TO GIVING TUESDAY |
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GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good and to donate. Giving Tuesday will be on Tuesday, November 29th 2022 this year. Save the date for this annual day of giving at CVA.
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GET YOUR FREE TICKET TO SNOWBOUND TODAY! |
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Our friends at Snowbound Expo are offering free weekend event tickets to CVA families, using the discount code "SKICLUB" at checkout. This code is valid through the month of September, so get your tickets today.
Snowbound Expo is the home for winter and outdoor sports. The event offers inspirational speakers, the latest gear, cutting-edge technology, apparel, and resorts all under one roof. CVA alumnus, Bode Miller, will speak at the event along with ski legend and CVA community member, Dan Egan, and many others. You can find the full list of speakers here.
This year's event will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on November 18-20th and is perfectly timed for snow sport lovers that are getting ready for the season ahead.
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3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
Phone: (207) 237-2250
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