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.

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.