Dear friends,
What an incredible year it has been. Earlier this month, Stratton Mountain School graduated 21 student athletes who exemplify our mission to strive for excellence academically, athletically, and as individuals. The Class of 2019 will be moving on to incredible things—from academic institutions like Harvard, Dartmouth, and West Point (see the
full list of college acceptances
) to professional level competition and training. The world is at their feet, and I am proud to call them Stratton Mountain School Alumni!
|
The Stratton Mountain School Class of 2019
|
In 2022, Stratton Mountain School will celebrate our 50th anniversary and I am looking forward to what the future holds for all of us. As announced last fall, I will be retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year and alumnus Carson Thurber `02 will succeed me as Headmaster. Please read the full
announcement from our Board of Trustees
if you haven't already, and join me in welcoming Carson and his family back to Stratton Mountain School!
|
In
coming Headmaster Carson Thurber `02 and current Headmaster Chris Kaltsas
|
The SMS Nordic Program will undergo a change of leadership as well, with the retirement of longtime Director Sverre Caldwell following a phenomenal 40 year career at Stratton Mountain School. We're grateful for everything that Sverre has done not only for SMS but for the sport of Nordic skiing as well, and I thank everyone who joined us in
celebration of Sverre
on June 10th.
|
|
Former Headmaster Larry Herrick with retired SMS Nordic Director
(and fellow former Headmaster) Sverre Caldwell
|
|
While we are sad to say good-bye to Sverre, the SMS Nordic Program will be in good hands under
incoming Director Matt Boobar
, who has worked closely with Sverre for many years. Matt's boundless energy and experience will ensure a smooth transition for the Nordic program. In more good news from SMS Nordic, the program was recognized as U.S. Ski and Snowboard's
Cross Country Club of the Year
alongside the SMS T2 Team. Congratulations!
|
|
New SMS Nordic Director Matt Boobar, SMS Athletic Trainer
Kate Boobar, and their daughter Sierra
|
|
Athletically, it was a great Spring sports season for SMS. The Boys Lacrosse team tenaciously battled their way to the playoffs, the Girls Lacrosse team sent their season out with a pair of victories, and the inaugural SMS Baseball team ended their first season 3-3 following wins against Arlington Memorial High School, Burr and Burton Academy JV, and Sharon Academy. We welcomed the inaugural SMS Fly Fishing Team to campus while the Activities Group allowed our students to partake in golf, skateboarding and trampoline activities.
|
|
The SMS Fly Fishing Team began the Spring with a tutorial at the Orvis Flagship Store in Manchester
|
|
News for the 2019-2020 competitive season has begun to trickle in, with multiple Stratton Mountain School athletes being named to National Teams for the winter ahead. Diego Holscher '20 has been called up to the
Chilean National Team
. Mac Forehand `20 and Caroline Claire `18 have both been nominated to the
U.S. Freeski Team's Pro Slopestyle Contingent
, and alums Lindsey Jacobellis `03 and Alex Deibold `04 will continue to represent the
U.S. Snowboard Team
in Snowboardcross. Alice Merryweather `15 has been nominated to the
U.S. Ski Team
's Alpine B program while George Steffey `15 will return to the C Team. Five members of the SMS T2 Team have been nominated to the
U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
, including: Sophie Caldwell `08, Jessie Diggins, Simi Hamilton, Julia Kern PG `16, and Ben Ogden `18. A number of currently enrolled student-athletes have also been invited to attend official U.S. Ski Team training camps throughout the summer, and Alpine athlete Olivia Holm `19 will be “highly involved in all U.S. Ski Team programming” following an impressive 2018-2019 season.
|
|
We're not done celebrating the 2018-2019 season yet, however, as Mac Forehand '20
won the Crystal Globe
in Slopestyle this March following an outstanding season at the World Cup Level. Mac is only the second actively enrolled student to earn a Crystal Globe, following in the footsteps of SMS Snowboarding Director and Olympic medalist Ross Powers `97.
|
|
Mac Forehand '20 with Chris Kaltsas and Mac's father, Ray Forehand
|
|
Another SMS student athlete who made waves this season is Zeb Powell, who is now pursuing Snowboarding at a professional level as a Red Bull athlete among other sponsorships. This year Zeb won the pro-division at the Red Bull Parkway Event hosted by Mountain Creek Resort, claimed 1st in Rail Jam—and Best Trick—at USASA Nationals, and also placed 2nd at the SKOLF finals in Brighton, Utah. We're all excited to see what's ahead for Zeb!
|
|
SMS Snowboarding graduate Zeb Powell `19 is pursuing professional snowboarding
|
|
This fall, all Stratton Mountain School Alumni are encouraged to attend our annual Alumni Reunion, taking place between October 11 and 13. We'll catch up, enjoy a barbecue and lawn games, and even take on a Team Obstacle Course Challenge right here on campus. Register here, and, if you need a place to stay, call The Black Bear Lodge (1.800.Stratton) and ask for the SMS Alumni rate. I hope to see you there!
|
|
Finally, I'm happy to share that
SMS Gives Back
, our annual day of giving, was a great success. After the final gifts were counted, more than $140,000 was raised for the SMS Annual Fund. Thank you to all of those who supported our efforts by donating (more than 200 individuals, with over 100 of those being SMS Alumni!), volunteering, or sharing.
We are always grateful for gifts to the Annual Fund, and as the end of the fiscal year approaches we hope you'll consider showing support for SMS. Every gift, regardless of size, makes an impact for SMS students and, more broadly, our Stratton Mountain School community.
Click here to make a gift today.
|
|
Many thanks for your support and friendship. I hope you enjoy a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,
|
|
Christopher G. Kaltsas, Headmaster
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
