Sugar Bowl Academy
Graduates Largest Class in School History
Norden, California, June 18,
2007 – On Saturday, June 9th Sugar Bowl Academy held its
graduation ceremony at the Mount Judah Lodge at the Sugar Bowl
Resort. Kelsey Collins, who will attend the University of Vermont
in the fall, Evan Deslauriers, who will attend Sonoma State
University, Andrew Hewett, who will attend the University of
Nevada, Reno, Connery Lundin, who has deferred college in favor
of continued FIS racing, Paris Tolmachoff, who will attend the
University of Vermont and Jonathan Zordell, who was accepted
to the United States Military Academy at West Point were all
awarded diplomas.
The graduation ceremony was
framed against the backdrop of Mount Lincoln, Mount Disney and
the awe-inspiring Sugar Bowl Palisades. The ceremony speakers
were equally inspiring. Dean of Academics, Stephen Ascher, gave
the address to the senior class, in which he used an example
from his physics class to illustrate that they could, indeed,
move mountains. Jonathan Zordell, a Verdi, Nevada native and
the first Sugar Bowl Academy graduate to attend West Point,
gave a thoughtful Valedictory address, and Michael Scott, a
West Point graduate, presented him with admission and a scholarship
to the U.S. Military Academy.
Dr. Tricia Gibbs, a member of
the Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation Board (the governing board
for Sugar Bowl Academy) presented the Williams College Book
Award to Rachel Tucker. The Williams Book Award honors a junior
in the top five percent of his or her class who has demonstrated
intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution
to the extracurricular life of the school.
Bruce Cornell, a local athlete
whose lower body was paralyzed in a tragic accident over 20
years ago, gave the commencement address. His message of persistence
in the face of challenge ended the ceremony on an inspirational
high note. Cornell’s recovery from catastrophe and eventual
competition and victory in several wheelchair marathons set
the tone for graduates and returning Sugar Bowl Academy students
alike, as they prepare to face their own future challenges.
For more information on Sugar Bowl Academy, contact: mhoffman@sbacademy.org
or visit www.sbacademy.org.
