Congratulations to the CVA Student Spotlight award winners for December! Each month CVA teachers and staff nominate students who exemplify what being a Big Dog is all about in each of the three foundational pillars of our mission: academics, athletics, and community.

Thank you to D'Ellie's Bakery & Deli for sponsoring our Student Spotlight award recipients.

Berk has put tremendous effort into his academics and has shown immense growth as a student during his years at CVA. His consistent hard work has yielded fantastic results, earning him A’s on his recent exams. Great job, Berk! The Big Dog community is proud of you!

Emily has worked very hard in physical rehabilitation to overcome multiple challenges and has shown maturity in navigating setbacks. She has demonstrated a lot of growth this semester both mentally and physically. Way to go, Emily!

Lucia consistently brings joy and positivity to the Big Dog community, making every day better. She actively seeks to help others and is a great role model to younger students. Whether she’s helping out the maintenance staff to put away equipment, or skiing jackets down the hill for competing athletes, her smile and bright attitude inspire all of us. Thank you for all you do, Lucia!

Each year, students in Jessie Scannell's, Environmental Science class study aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture (growing fish for food) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil). In the fall they receive a delivery of rainbow trout from the Maine Inland Fish and Wildlife State Hatchery. After being given some fundamental information, the students design, build, and maintain their own aquaponics systems, raising the trout and growing plants in a sustainable system.

Students learn about water quality, sustainability, and animal husbandry in this unit. There are always lots of issues that require problem-solving and quick critical thinking.

The week before school break, the Big Dogs got into the holiday spirit, bonding as a community and spreading cheer.

The Women’s FIS team embraced the holiday spirit with some fun and festive gingerbread house-making.

CVA staff and students brought their A-game to Ugly Sweater Day, rocking everything from bright knits to over-the-top holiday designs.

On the final night before the break, CVA students and staff gathered for a festive holiday dinner party, complete with delicious food, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer. From sparkling decorations to heartwarming moments, this night was a wonderful way to wrap up the year as one big CVA family. 

Special thanks to the Kitchen Staff for wonderful meal, and to the Parent Support Group for providing a delicious spread of desserts.

FIS Freestyle Junior World Championships

Chase Littlefield '24, a rising star in freestyle skiing, has made waves on the international stage as one of 12 athletes representing Team USA at the 2025 FIS Freestyle Junior World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Competing against the world’s best young athletes, Littlefield showcased his exceptional skills, securing 10th place in the moguls event with a score of 65.14. Littlefield was one of just three American men to advance to the finals and came within 12.09 points of the gold medal. Littlefield followed up this stellar performance with a 14th-place finish in the dual moguls event. The Team Dual Moguls event saw Littlefield, with partner Anabel Ayad, on the podium with a 3rd place finish, a remarkable achievement for his first Junior World Championships appearance.

U.S. Freestyle Selections

Members of the CVA Moguls Team headed to Winter Park, Colorado in December for U.S. Freestyle Selections. Selections together the nation’s top athletes in a competition that qualifies U.S. skiers for the U.S. World Cups and NorAm competitions. Congratulations to Jack Egan '25, who placed 9th in Moguls and 16th in Duals. CVA Alumni, Chase Littlefield '24 (8th in Moguls, 10th in Duals) and Dory Michaud '23 (10th in Moguls, 18th in Duals) also had stand-out performances.

Eastern Freestyle Competitions

The team kicked off the competition in the Eastern Region at Sunday River's Mogul Maine-ia, led by Jack Egan '25 who took home the Silver for Moguls and Gold for Duals! Kenadie Dickey '26 also had a strong showing, earning 14th for Moguls.

The following weekend brought the competition home to Sugarloaf with 8 Academy Big Dogs and 5 Weekend Program athletes breaking into the top 16. Highlights include Kennedy Hicks ‘25, with two 2nd place finishes in moguls and a 1st place finish in dual moguls. Jack Egan '25 finished 2nd and 1st in moguls, and 2nd in duals. Other notable results include: Kenadie Dickey ‘26, 3rd & 5th place for moguls and 6th for duals, and Bea Holstein ‘25, 7th & 8th place for moguls, 7th place for duals.

Boden Gerry ‘24 kicked 2025 off with a bang, winning gold at the Sun Peaks NorAm Cup. Congratulations, Boden!

Congratulations to Seth Westcott ‘94 on his successful return to the sport and strong 11th place finish, and to Big Dog Nicholaus Westermann for his 17th place finish.

Big Dog Nate Pare gave an incredible performance in the first SBX World Cup event of the season in Cervinia, Italy! Nate started the season strong, placing 19th overall and claiming the top spot for the USA in a highly competitive field. This is a fantastic start to the season and a testament to Nate's hard work and determination.

CVA Freeski athletes braved the cold and absolutely sent it at the Sugarloaf Slopestyle Freeski event in early January.

Alex Bateman ’26 took the top spot in the Open Class, Owen LaRue ‘26 crushed it, placing first in the Youth 15-16 class.

Morgan Shute ’25 and Maggie Swain ‘24 gave outstanding performances at the Junior FIS Ski Cross race in Idre Fjäll, Sweden. 

Morgan secured an impressive 3rd place podium finish, standing out as the top U.S. finisher in the field. 

Maggie showcased her grit and determination, earning a solid 12th place overall and clinching the number two spot for the United States.

FIS

The Women's FIS team competed in a a GS race at West Mountain earlier this season. Congratulations to Bridget Sapak '26, who earned her first FIS podium with a 2nd place finish!

The CVA Men's Alpine FIS Team is setting the slopes on fire! Congratulations to Caleb Stefanakos PG, who brought home gold and silver from the Slalom NJR at Okemo Mountain Resort.

U16

U16 athletes raced in the MARA Open SL at Sunday River. In the men’s division, Nick Klemperer '27 raced to an incredible 1st place finish, with Ethan Godomsky '27 close behind in 2nd.

In the women’s division, Ashlyn Poirier '27 earned a well-deserved 3rd-place finish. Congratulations to all our U16 athletes for their outstanding performances, dedication, and success on the slopes.

Congratulations to Ethan Godomsky '27 and Nick Klemperer '27 for representing the Eastern Region at the National Performance Series (NPS) at Burke Mountain! The Eastern Region brought the top 7 U16 Men's Alpine athletes to this nationwide, invitation-only event and 2 of them were from CVA! These rising stars braved the cold, alongside coach Ben Corriveau, and delivered standout performances across 2 SL events and 2 GS events. We are so proud of these athletes and can’t wait to see what they achieve next!

CVA alumni gathered over the holiday break to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate at the annual Alumni Reunion.

From shared stories to lasting laughs, it was incredible to see so many of the CVA community come together once again. Thank you to everyone who joined us – Once a Big Dog, always a Big Dog!