The 2024 graduating class at Carrabassett Valley Academy will accept their diplomas during this year’s commencement exercises on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Richard Bell Chapel at Sugarloaf Mountain. CVA will broadcast the ceremony live this year. Please contact Kate Webber Punderson '89 to request a link.

The commencement ceremony serves as a significant milestone in the journey of CVA's graduating student-athletes, marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and academic achievement. It is a time to celebrate their accomplishments and to recognize their contributions to the CVA community.

The ceremony will feature student and faculty speakers, awards, and commencement speaker Colonel Warren “Bunge” Cook, Jr, a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps with over 20 years of service. 

During the ceremony, the following graduates will have the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, signifying the completion of their degree programs:

Bodhi Böschen, Castle Valley, Utah

Sullivan Butler, Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Stephen Cramm, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Boden Gerry, Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Adam Hamblet, Meredith, New Hampshire

Hayden Hoffmann, Sherborn, Massachusetts

Charlie Koenig, Coplin Plantation, Maine*

Bora Kumuk, Çekmeköy, Istanbul, Turkey

Amy Latendresse, Rangeley, Maine

Chase Littlefield, Yarmouth, Maine

Mitchell Marquis, Sidney, Maine**

Natalee McKenzie, Kingfield, Maine *

Brendan O’Connor, Mount Holly, North Carolina 

Caleb Stefanakos, Freeport, Maine*

Maggie Swain, Kingfield, Maine *

William Trudeau, Oxford, Quebec, Canada

Jack Velenchik, Bondville, Vermont

*National Honor Society Member

**Certificate of Attendance

2024 CVA Valedictorian

Congratulations to Charlie Koenig, this year's Valedictorian! The daughter of Shelley & Dave Koenig, Charlie is from Coplin Plantation, Maine, and grew up skiing at Sugarloaf. She will attend Williams College, majoring in pre-law and racing for their Alpine team.

2024 CVA Salutatorian

Congratulations to Caleb Stefanakos, this year's Salutatorian! The son of Michael and Victoria Stefanakos, Caleb is from Freeport, Maine and his home mountain is Sugarloaf. Caleb will attend a PG year at CVA before attending college where he plans to study biochemistry.

Big Dog Awards

Commencement Weekend activities begin with the Big Dog Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 31, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the Carrabassett Valley Anti-Gravity Complex. All students, families, and staff are invited to this end-of-the-year awards ceremony to recognize students' academic and athletic achievements.

Senior Banquet

All seniors and their families are invited to the Senior Banquet on Friday, May 31, at 6:00 pm in the King Pine Room at Sugarloaf. This banquet is semi-formal and features a reception, dinner, and program in celebration of graduation. There will be a senior slideshow, speeches, and awards. Reservations are required.

Commencement

CVA Seniors will accept their diplomas during this year’s commencement exercises on Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. in the Richard Bell Chapel at Sugarloaf Mountain. A luncheon in the CVA Capricorn Dining Hall will follow. The ceremony will feature student and faculty speakers, awards, and a guest speaker.

For more information about our Commencement Weekend activities, please contact Melissa Fogg, mfogg@gocva.com, or 207-237-4505.

Congratulations to the 2024 National Honor Society (NHS) inductees (in photo, left to right): Lily-Jane Sparkes '25, Lauren Waskowitz '26, and Ali Bruno '26.

NHS Advisor, Shelley Koenig, and Head of School, Kate Webber Punderson '89, hosted the new members, their families, and the CVA community at the NHS Induction Ceremony held in the Atrium of the Academic Center on May 1st. 

The purpose of this chapter is to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in the students of Carrabassett Valley Academy.

Students from Dave Koenig’s Pre-Calculus class recently went to the top of Sugarloaf to perform a survey of the surrounding mountains. They leveled and oriented their equipment, found the highest point on 22 surrounding peaks, and recorded a bearing and angle of elevation of the peaks. Back in the classroom, they applied right and oblique-angle trigonometry to create a regional map with their classmates.

The goals of this class project include applications of trigonometry, attention to detail, organization of almost 100 individual calculations, gaining a better understanding of the incredible region where they train almost every day, and getting a better understanding of the limitations of the equipment and techniques used.

CVA Alpine Weekend Program Manager, Jeni Conover, and Full Strive athletes Molly Holman and Isla Dakers, had a record-breaking day at Sugarloaf in late April. With 43 runs, 76,109 vertical feet, and 114.47 miles, the crew set and broke the record for most runs skied in one day from open to close.

Now that takes dedication and stamina. Congratulations!

CVA is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Peer Mentors. Each spring, students in grades 10-12 who are passionate about helping others can apply to become a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors play a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for all students at CVA, offering advice and guidance to their peers. They receive training in suicide prevention and/or mental health first aid, and serve as the link between students and staff to address student concerns and promote a positive culture at CVA.

The last week of April was Spirit Week at CVA, and the Big Dogs showed their school pride in style! From Duo Day to PJ Day to CVA Pride Day and more, everyone brought their CVA-game and showcased their school spirit.

Throughout the year Big Dogs have many opportunities to give back to their community. This spring our student-athletes helped clean up on Sugarloaf and in town, getting ready for a favorite community event - the Sugarloaf Marathon. Student and staff volunteers were also on site during the race to cheer on the runners and hand out water. Great job, Big Dogs!

Caleb is a Big Dog who is always asking “how can I help?” He sets a great example for the younger students in our community and is a positive force on campus. Way to be, Caleb!

Abby is a good role model who works hard at her studies, is focused, and has a positive attitude. She is always on top of her work, even when traveling. Good job, Abby!

Walker had a very successful season this year, a testament to his hard work and dedication to his sport. At USASA Nationals in April, he medaled in all three of his events, earning gold (SL) and two bronze medals (PGS and SBX). Congratulations, Walker!

Tuition alone falls short of covering the complete CVA experience, and that's where the Annual Fund steps in. Your contribution bridges the gap between tuition dollars and the actual cost of operating the school. Giving to the Annual Fund provides crucial resources that contribute to scholarship assistance, support curriculum development, and strengthen academic and athletic programs.

Be a part of the transformative impact—every gift, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference. Consider a gift today. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Congratulations to CVA alumni, Derek Pike '06 and Collin Avery '06, on your recent movie premiere! Model House, directed by Derek Pike '06, and produced by Collin Avery '06, is a classic-style horror movie now showing at select theaters and on demand.

This unique experience offers 9 days of the best snow for summer ski training at the Juvass glacier, in Norway, located 6 hours north of Oslo, a home training site for the Norwegian National Team and many other Scandinavian teams and ski clubs.

Who: Emerging U12 & U14 athletes with prior racing experience*

What: The camp will focus on fundamental skills, Slalom, and Giant Slalom technical and tactical elements, with daily video review and individualized evaluations. 

When: June 23 - July 4, 2024

Where: Juvass, Norway 

For more information & to register by June 9, visit gocva.com/camps

*Athletes outside CVA Academy and Weekend Programs should contact Jon Wagner at jwagner@gocva.com or Ron Bonnevie at rbonnevie@gocva.com prior to registering and will need a coach's recommendation from their current racing program.

Registration for the 2024-2025 season is now open to returning participants, siblings, and some waitlist families. Check your email for registration information or contact Jennifer Pulk at jpulk@gocva.com.

Please click the button below to add your child's name to the waitlist. As space is available, families will receive an email with the program registration link.

Director of Development

Carrabassett Valley Academy seeks a full-time Director of Development to lead and grow all of the school’s development-related activities. The Director of Development is an integral part of the school’s senior leadership team and reports directly to the Head of School. The ideal candidate has three or more years of development experience, a proven track record of generating income for their organization, leadership qualities, and excellent communication skills. Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a robust benefits package. For a full job description visit www.gocva.com/jobs.

 Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Alex Godomsky at agodomsky@gocva.com. 

U14/U16/FIS Alpine Coaches

Carrabassett Valley Academy has openings within our full-time alpine coaching staff for 2024-2025. Based on the growth and momentum of our alpine program, we have positions within our U14 through FIS staff. 

The ideal candidate’s qualities include enthusiasm, a love of working with young athletes, a desire for personal growth as a coach, and the ability to connect with athletes.

Compensation is competitive with housing possible. Coaches receive a Sugarloaf ski pass and other CVA employee benefits. Applicants must be able to pass and secure a U.S. Ski & Snowboard background check, CPR/First Aid certification, Safesport, etc. This is a great opportunity for a coach who wishes to develop professionally and is looking for mentoring to become the best coach you can be! Please share the word.

Interested candidates should contact Kirk Dwyer at kdwyer@gocva.com or 970-409-7765.

Ski Cross Development Coach

Carrabassett Valley Academy has an opening within our full-time Ski Cross coaching staff for the 2024-2025 season.

The ideal candidate has a solid racing background in ski cross or alpine. Coaching experience is a plus. Candidates must have enthusiasm, a love of working with young athletes, a desire for personal growth as a coach, and the ability to connect with athletes.

Compensation is competitive with housing possible. Coaches receive a Sugarloaf ski pass and other CVA employee benefits. Applicants must be able to pass and secure a U.S. Ski & Snowboard background check, CPR/First Aid certification, Safesport, etc. This is a great opportunity for a coach who wishes to develop professionally and is looking for mentoring to become the best coach you can be!

Interested candidates should contact Mike Phelan at mphelan@gocva.com or 401-787-0683.

Ski Cross Weekend Program Coaches

CVA is hiring part-time Ski Cross Weekend Program coaches for the upcoming

season. The ideal candidate’s qualities include motivation, enthusiasm, a love of skiing,

positive and supportive communication, and the ability to connect with our athletes.

Competition background is a plus. Coaches receive a Sugarloaf season pass and other

CVA employee benefits. This is a great opportunity for a coach who wishes to develop

professionally and is looking for a coaching mentor.

Interested candidates should contact Mike Phelan at mphelan@gocva.com or 401-787-0683.



The Sugarloaf Ski Club will be marking its 75th Anniversary at the beginning of the 2024-2025 ski season with a special edition magazine, to be published in October. The Ski Club has been crucial to the creation and support of CVA over the years and a valued community member in Carrabassett Valley. We would like to celebrate them by sharing stories and photos from the past 15 years (since their last anniversary celebration).

If you are a current student, alumni, teacher, coach, parent, or a member of our CVA community, we'd like to hear from you. Please share any stories, photos, or quotes about how the Ski Club and CVA have impacted you.

Submissions can be emailed to Head of School, Kate Webber Punderson '89, at kpunderson@gocva.com.

The mission of the Sugarloaf Ski Club is to provide the opportunity for all youth to participate and excel in skiing and snowboarding, promote community-building events, support competition, and preserve the history and heritage of the mountain.