The Winter Sports School

Recently, students at The Winter Sports School were featured in a pair of exciting newspaper articles. The Park Record – the primary news source for Park City, Utah – highlighted the achievements of Jazz Olshen and the students of instructor Chris Sherwin’s public speaking class.

In writing that the Winter Sports School "excels in positive thought," The Park Record detailed the selection of Jazz Olshen, 15, to attend the 2007 Congressional Student Leadership Conference. Sponsored by LeadAmerica and held at San Diego State University, this exclusive 10-day event catered to students who both excelled academically and were involved in their local communities.

Jazz was surprised when she received her acceptance letter to the conference, as she was selected courtesy of an anonymous nomination from a Winter Sports School instructor. At the conference, Jazz had the opportunity to participate in a forensic science program with 16 other students from across the country. Though Jazz would like to study medicine or become a hostage negotiator in the future, her leadership skills and desire to help others were always on display during the forensic science sessions.

At the Winter Sports School, Jazz continues to train as an alpine skier, hoping to some day qualify for the U.S. Ski Team and compete in the Winter Olympics. Remaining grounded in her goals, Jazz offers words of encouragement for fellow students and future conference attendees in stating that a leader is simply "anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in."

In a separate article, The Park Record described a unique communications class offered at The Winter Sports School. Taught by Chris Sherwin, the class is designed to help students become comfortable and proficient in public speaking. While many of the students have gained confidence from competing in winter sports, most will admit that the improvement of their speaking skills is important for the future.

Most importantly, the public speaking class helps students find effective ways to express their personalities. Rather than reciting speeches from note cards, the lessons encourage students to efficiently express their ideas from the heart. In recognizing that "an awful lot of athletes are not comfortable speaking," Chris’ class will allow Winter Sports School Students to speak effectively both when they reach the winners’ podium and later in their professional lives.

Later this month at the beginning of Block 3, The Winter Sports School will have four new teachers in the classroom.

Before meeting these new instructors, The Winter Sports School must also bid a fond farewell to Nick Francis. During a challenging period of growth for the school, Nick always showed incredible passion and willingness in the classroom. In addition to thanking Nick for his hard work, the faculty and students of The Winter Sports School also wish this future PhD the best of luck during his upcoming graduate studies at The University of Utah. His energy and commitment will surely be missed.

To ensure that the students and faculty don’t miss a beat after Nick’s departure, Chris LaCasse will be assuming most of his duties at the school. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Chris LaCasse will put his analytical mind to work as the instructor of Algebra 1.

Chris Stoner joins The Winter Sports School faculty after a 25-year career as an emergency room physician. Chris’ diverse experience also includes time as a naval aviator and as an adjunct professor of Family Practice and Emergency Medicine at the University of Wyoming. Having now retired to Park City, Chris will lend his unique expertise to The Winter Sports School as an instructor of Algebra 2. 

Paul Barton will join The Winter Sports School staff this month as the instructor of senior history and Spanish 1. Paul, a former professional soccer player, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from California State University, Chico.

Linda Norquist, a native of Columbia, will offer Winter Sports School students advanced language instruction in her Spanish 5 class. In addition to her new role on the faculty, The Winter Sports School would also like to congratulate Linda in advance on her upcoming graduation from the M.B.A. program at the University of Phoenix.

Each of these four instructors will enter the classroom on Wednesday, June 27 – the beginning of Block 3. Prior to Block 3, students can enjoy the first break of the year between Saturday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 26.

Enclosed you will find Mid-Term Science grades for Block 2. The final Science grades will be sent out along with the first semester grades for English and History upon our return from vacation June 27. Please contact the appropriate teachers with any questions regarding grades or status.

Nick Francis will complete his teaching at the Winter Sports School with the completion of Block 2. He will be enrolling in a Ph. D. program at the University of Utah. I want to thank Nick for all his hard work and contribution to the Winter Sports School. Nick’s willingness to step into his teaching role at a very difficult time in Winter Sports School history is greatly appreciated. Thank you Nick and we wish you well in your future studies.

We have four new teachers at school beginning Block 3. Paul Barton who is a graduate of California State University, Chico with a Bachelor’s degree in Education will be teaching senior history and Spanish 1. Paul was also a professional soccer player. Chris LaCasse will be teaching Algebra 1. Chris is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He will be taking on most on Nick’s duties. Chris Stoner will be teaching Algebra 2. Chris has retired to Park City after a 25 year career as an emergency room physician. Prior to his career as a doctor he served as a naval aviator. He also served as an adjunct professor in Family Practice / Emergency Medicine at the University of Wyoming. Linda Norquist will be teaching Spanish 5. She is a native of Columbia and will be receiving an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix at the end of the month. We are very excited to have these new teachers as members of our faculty.

The first break of the year is scheduled from Saturday, June 16, 2007 through Tuesday, June 26, 2007. We resume with Block 3 on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Enclosed is the class schedule for Block 3. Any questions on the schedule please contact Eric Janes.

Upcoming events will be our annual participation in the Park City Fourth of July parade. We will be having the school wide barbeque on Saturday, July 7, 2007 and enclosed is an invitation for that cookout. Also the Annual Golf Tournament is schedule for Monday, August 20, 2007.

Ashley Battersby (WSS, 2005), a local Park City Mountain All-Star Team member, announced that she has signed a deal with Tecnica/Volkl/Marker to become the marquee woman rider on the Tecnica/Volkl/Marker International Team. Ashley said ,“This is huge for me, and I am super stoked. The move from the pro team at Line to the International Team at Volkl is a natural progression for my career. It’s so rad to have an opportunity to travel the world, film, and compete. I will also be able to continue to help develop the woman’s product lines, much like I have been doing for my other sponsors.�

Clem Smith, Director of Promotions for Tecnica/Volkl/Marker, remarked “We are super excited to have Ashley on board. This will be a great relationship because of what Ashley brings to the table. For one, she has and will continue to be a huge factor in the progression of women’s skiing. Secondly, Ashley is also extremely creative, so we are looking forward to having her ideas for upcoming women’s products�.

Since moving to Park City in 2003 from Chicago, Ashley has become quite a well known figure in the Freeride community. She has consistently been selected in the POWDER MAGAZINE READERS POLL as one of the top five women in the world. She has been seen on national television and featured on international television and has appeared in numerous ski videos. “It’s so sick! Thinking back when I grew up skiing on 200 vertical foot ice hills to skiing with some of the best men and women in the world that were my heroes growing up! I’m super blessed to be given the opportunities that have come my way!â€? Ashley said. Ashley will be majoring in Flight Operations this fall at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, and will be going to school summer and fall semesters and taking off the winters to focus on skiing.

The recent golf tournament proved to be the most successful fundraiser in the history of The Winter Sports School. Special thanks go to Heidi Volker and Rebecca Lyman for their dedication and hard work.

On Monday, August 7, 2006, The WSS will host its only annual fundraiser: a golf tournament to be held at the Jeremy Ranch Country Club outside Park City, Utah. All proceeds go toward the endowment of The Winter Sports School. The tournament starts at 2:30 in the afternoon and prices are as follows:

-$1,000 donation for a foursome, including dinner
-$275 donation for an individual, including dinner
-$75 donation for dinner only, per person

To participate in the tournament or for more information, please contact the school at 649-8760.

The Winter Sports School recently received SEVIS approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, enabling the school to issue I-20 visas for foreign students. The WSS is thrilled to invitite qualified international student athletes to apply for matriculation for the 2007 school year.