Dear Sugar Bowl Academy Community,

I hope everyone is enjoying the remaining days before we return to school. As we approach the opening of our dorm on Sunday, August 31, and the first in-person school day on September 2, we wanted to share some updates and news.

Our preparations for the school year continue. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will have staff development to ensure that our team is ready to provide the best possible experiences for our students. We are thrilled to share that all of our full-time staff is back for another year of grit, grace, and courage, and we are excited to share some changes and additions:

• Drew Waters is returning for another school year in an updated role. Drew’s two young children are all action, and while she loves it at Sugar Bowl, she needs to be home more to support them. In her position as Registrar, Drew will work closely with students, families, and teachers to maintain accurate student and school records. Drew will also continue to be the staff lead for student events such as our graduation ceremony.

• Ramiro Lambert and Dolores Vazquez are joining our team as full-time Alpine coaches supporting our U14 and U12 athletes. Ramiro and Dolores are accomplished coaches who truly love what they do. Their passion is rooted in the belief that there is no better way to grow up than through practicing sports, and that is the experience they strive to provide to athletes. That passion will be added to our dormitory as Ramiro and Dolores will be living in our dorm at Sugar Bowl.

• Erica Backhus is joining our team as a teacher. While earning her degree in International Affairs, Erica spent significant time in Latin America immersing herself in different cultures and learning Spanish. Erica is passionate about sharing her experiences from Latin America with our students. Erica knows Sugar Bowl and our student-athletes well as she was a competitive skier locally and was recently a Freeride coach at a neighboring mountain.

• Steve Roberts is joining our team in a new position, Director of Students. Steve will be the lead for supporting and guiding all students to ensure a positive school environment, with a focus on students living in the dormitory. Steve joins us after 27 successful years at the San Francisco Day School. Experienced as a teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, activity coordinator, and athlete, Steve cannot wait to start working at Sugar Bowl and supporting our student-athletes.

• Louis Norris is currently on a worldwide kayaking adventure. When Louis returns to Sugar Bowl in January, it will not be as a teacher. Louis will be working closely with teachers, coaches, and staff in the position of Director of Academics. His experience as a student and teacher at Sugar Bowl Academy, along with his passion for education, makes Louis the right lead to ensure that all students have access to rigorous academics, with a focus on maximizing teaching and learning on all our in-person school days.

We are looking forward to the upcoming school year and all the opportunities it will bring. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our community.

Sincerely,
Stephen