| Current SADSP Newsletter |
| “denying barriers and defying gravity” |
 |
Ski Apache Disabled Skiers’ Program
RAISE A RACKET
fisheta@aol.com
Download the Entry Form HERE
ALTA Tennis Association
(in new window)
Download PDF version here
RAISE A RACKET
fisheta@aol.com
Download the Entry Form HERE
ALTA Tennis Association
(in new window)
Hello Team!
Spring Break busiest days with reservations are on March 12, 13, 14, 15.
Pot Luck end of season celebration for all of us after the ski area closes, March 20th.
WOW! everyone is doing a fantastic job. Thank You All,
Shippen Davis
Program Director
Newsletter 2010-11Spring Break busiest days with reservations are on March 12, 13, 14, 15.
Pot Luck end of season celebration for all of us after the ski area closes, March 20th.
WOW! everyone is doing a fantastic job. Thank You All,
Shippen Davis
Program Director
Download PDF version here
Welcome to another season in the snowy mountains at Ski Apache. This is my first real attempt at an on-line newsletter so I hope it works. Thanks to Bill Riggles who has been working on the SADSP website (skiapachedisabledskiersprogram.com) for several months and I hope he can tutor me through this newsletter production.
As many of you know, Shippen Davis is retiring from the school district and will be taking over as the program director in January 2011. Shippen has spent many years working with individuals with disabilities both in the classroom and on the snow and she is a tremendous asset to the program. I will be focusing more on training, as well as being on the snow with students.
Last season was a blast and I’m predicting another great winter! Skiing and riding season is coming soon.
Marty Davenport, SADSP Program Director
2010-2011 Calendar:
2010
Nov 25th: Thursday--Thanksgiving Day & Ski Apache Opening
Nov 26th: Friday—Friends of SADSP, Staff, Volunteers, Directors, Students are invited to a welcome back pot-luck (skiing too) outside the SADSP room starting 10:00
Dec 1-19: Training and orientation for staff and interested volunteers
Saturdays and Sundays (4th & 5th; 11th & 12th; 18th & 19th) two scheduled sessions (10:00 and 1:00)
Dec 20: Start Christmas Holidays and school break
2011
Jan 1-16: At least two days required training for volunteers with school programs
Saturdays and Sundays (1st & 2nd; 8th & 9th; 15th & 16th)
Jan 17th: school programs start
Jan 29th: Silent Auction, Saturday, 6:00-9:00 PM
Event Center @ Inn of the Mountain Gods
Mar 9th: Annual Fun Race and Awards Ceremony
June: Tennis Tournament to benefit the program hosted by Alto Lakes Tennis Association (ALTA) More details coming in January by e-mail
PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY--SNOW IS ON THE WAY
OFFICE PHONE: (575) 464-3193
STUDENTS
Profiles of 2009-10 Programs
Roswell School District Life Skills Program, Roswell, New Mexico expanded to Mesa and Sierra Vista Middle Schools and Roswell and Goddard High Schools. A few ski days were cancelled due to snowy roads but most students got in five or six times on the mountain including race day. Many from Roswell and Goddard were return skiers and it is fun to see them building new skills built on experience from last season.
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Alamogordo, New Mexico came skiing again for over twenty continuous seasons at Ski Apache. Return students: David, Lawrence, Taviana, Amanda, Drake, Laci, Erin, Thristan, Cynthia and it showed in their balance, skills, and performance on the slopes.
2010 Fun Race and Awards Ceremony: It was a cold and snowy day for the race but over 45 kids made it down the course and recorded a time. Fastest time went to Brandon Smith and Harley Webb from Roswell High. Lorenzo Leyba and Chris Chapin from Roswell High and Donald Smith, Nicholas Landers, and Luis Morales, all from Mesa Middle School were within four seconds of Brandon. Nikki Endicott from Goddard High was less than three seconds behind Harley. It might have been a cold, snowy, and windy day, to some but everyone made it through the racecourse and posted a time—except Anthony S who didn’t like the course setup. Congratulations and thanks to all participants! A special thanks go to Bob and Ski Apache race staff for organizing the race and Ski Apache Ski Patrol for cordoning off the race course.
Roswell High racers: Orlando Ramirez, Lorenzo Leyba, Anthony Alvarez, John Alvarez, Andrew Dufour, Lazaro Palomino, Andy Tavarez, Brandon Smith, Keagan Burkhart, Austin Cobos, Andrew Garcia, Harley Webb
Goddard High racers: Shasta Chenowith, Ian Adair, Jose Duarte, Nikki Endicott, Danyelle Tedrow, Jessica Richardson
Mesa Middle school racers: Lindsey Freeman, Adam Lara, Maria Morales, Jessica Reza, Poala Sarellano, Donald Smith, Jonathon Landin, Nicholas Landers, Richard Martin, Luis Morales
Sierra Middle school racers: Keagan Burkhart, Austin Cobos, Andrew Garcia, Gilbert Mebane
The Patrol Memorial Award recognizes the students who most representing the spirit of snow sports. This award is in memory of two Ski Apache pro patrollers—Tom Coombes and Crow Burden—who were great friends of the program. The 2010 award went to Amanda Mason from NMSBVI in Alamogordo and Andrew Dufour from Roswell HS. Amanda and Andrew have been skiing with Mr. Bill Riggles for several years. Congratulations for your perseverance, skill, and achievement.
This season’s race tentatively planned for Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Special Groups:
Kinetic Kids San Antonio, Texas spent two days on the slopes last year and already made plans to come back the end of January 2011. Great skiing with old friends Katy, Katarina, Elliot and meeting new friends Samuel, Mauricio, Tony and Frankie; and Corey who showed up later. This will be 4th season for Kinetic Kids…Thanks Kacey!
Esperanza with Leticia, Eddie, Jessica, and Jerry and Tobosa, Roswell, New Mexico with Daniel, Martin, Danny Z, Santiago, Lawrence, Denise, Tory, Harry, Troy, Elizabeth, Toby, Danny D, and Jesse, joined us for another season on Mondays and Tuesdays
Patrick Burris brought students from ENMU-R Special Services Ski Club, Roswell, New Mexico on Fridays. Patrick Hogan was back for another winter and the twins and “Mare Bear” had the most fun of anyone I have ever seen skiing.
Soldiers from the Ft. Bliss Restoration and Resilience Center, El Paso, Texas visited twice and I salute Doroteo who skied both times--I learned a lot from him.
Return Students: Great to see old friends come back for more
MiMi Baughman, Libby Boydston, Jayro Gomez, Davis Lovett, Collin McGookey, David Vivanco, Charlie Washburn, Corey Wycoff, Tasha Carpenter, Eric Kegel, Anna Luisa Westendarp (all the way from Mexico City), Troy Poe (skiing with SADSP for over 20 years), Jhanira Blea, Alex Busch-Peterson (Alex graduated from high school last year—congratulations!), Tasha Carpenter, Gilberto Cueva, Michael Culley
We hope to see you all again this year!
STAFF and VOLUNTEERS
Dedication and enthusiasm of the volunteers and teachers make the programs possible
Thanks to SADSP Volunteers: Dave (Alto), Peggy (Tularosa), Marilyn (Las Cruces), Susan (Ruidoso), Bob (Capitan), Neil (Alto), Carolyn (Ruidoso), Vanessa (El Paso), Nate (Ruidoso), Mary Ann (Capitan), Casteel (Ruidoso), Beth (Ruidoso), Karen (Ruidoso), Cameron (Ruidoso), Cecelia (Ruidoso)
Roswell staff: Brian M, Brian S, Mark, Donny, Robert, Cynthia, Paula, Patty, Sheri, Curtis, Monty, Sam, Betty Ann, Trisha, and Heather. Thanks to the staff that didn’t get on the snow but were an integral part of the program: Donnie R, Susan B, and Lee W. Kudos to Mike Kakuska who has stepped in and made the school program work. This season Brian Shea will be the ski program coordinator—best wishes!
Coaches Corner
Many thanks to the full time staff for working through a very busy season: Bill Riggles, Lori Hennington, Clay Smith, Elliot Topper, Pam Topper, Patti Gray, David Vigil
And part-time staff helped us through the busy weekends and holidays: Jo Ann Habelt, Shippen Davis, RicO and Carl McDaniel
Last January four students from Birmingham Southern University spent their Interim Term study program with SADSP learning about adaptive snow sports, attending coach’s clinics, and working with students with disabilities. Come visit us again: Austin, Bryan, Hardy, and Jeff.
Love blooms at Ski Apache! Sarita Esparson and Ramir General are now wife and husband—Congratulations!
Training
Last March SADSP hosted Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Certified Trainer Elise Bowne from Denver, Colorado for a two-day training session on adaptive skiing. Topics included adaptive equipment, safety issues, functional skiing, technical discussions, and teaching progressions. PSIA members on the staff who attended: Shippen Davis, Clay Smith, Carl McDaniel, Pam Topper, Elliot Topper, Mike Kakuska, Patti Gray, Matthew Collins, and Frank Cannella. SADSP is in the process of organizing a clinic this year for volunteers in the PSIA organization.
This season:
* 1st Aide session in December
* Weekend training and re-fresher sessions every weekend in December: Topics include skiing safety for coach and student, equipment re-fresher, how to progress your student/coaching strategies, skiing backward safely, empathy with student
* Mandatory training for volunteers in school programs; weekends in January
New this year at Ski Apache:
Snowmaking from the top of the Gondola—strap the skis on for Thanksgiving day! Without the cooperation, participation, and encouragement of Ski Apache Resort, the disabled program could not exist. Thanks to Justin Rowland, Tony, Travis and all the lift ops for making us safe. Also Becky and Dorsey for patiently arranging lift tickets for SADSP students.
SPONSORS and FUND RAISING
The disabled program is very dependent on the financial support of generous individuals and businesses. Thank you from the students, families, and staff.
Great thanks to Gold Medal individual sponsors George and Amy Toone from San Angelo, Texas. The Toone’s generosity has kept the program afloat for the past two seasons when SADSP experienced extreme swings in snowfall and number of students. We hope George and Amy make it up this winter so we can visit and tell us about your adventures, and go skiing with tractor man.
SADSP is grateful for the generosity of the Silver Medal sponsors over $500: T&J Valve, Ruidoso Lions Club, Patrick and Kathleen Guthrie, Dick Poe, Todd Wycoff, Kevin Moussavi-Saeedi, Frank Yates, Jack Pickel, Carl Bartley, El Paso Community Foundation, Roswell Ford Lincoln Mercury, Wells Fargo Bank of Roswell, Friends of Keith Gardner, Management Associates, Inc.
Special Thanks to MWI Veterinary Supplies who awarded $1000 to the program in the name of employee Cecelia Mink. Cecelia volunteers with SADSP and is a driving force behind the Silent Auction.
Also thanks to Bronze Medal supporters over $100: Dr. Henry Calderoni, Eric Thompson, Jorge Perez, Mel Stockwell, Ruidoso Valley Greeters, Friend family, Sanders Bruin Coll and Worley P.A., James Bruin, Gregory Maxie of NEA-NM, CS Mitchell, Valory Blakeman and Howard Perry
Fund Raising Events: SADSP relies on donations, student fees (often discounted or complimentarily), and several fund raising activities. These events not only help SADSP financially but they are an opportunity to inform the public about the advantages and possibilities that snow sports offers for people with disabilities. SADSP can provide a presentation for groups that are interested in disabled skiing.
For over 20 years, the Silent Auction is always the last Saturday in January. This year’s event will be at the IMG Convention Center from 6:00-9:00 PM on Jan 29, 2011. Great bargains for a good cause include artwork; ski and snowboard goods; lodging, meal, and business certificates; craftwork, and raffles throughout the evening, including a drawing for round trip airline tickets. The 2010 Silent Auction generated over $18,000 for the disabled program. Special thanks to Eric Gile, Silent Auction MC, a good guy, and free heel low-rider on the slopes. Above and beyond the call of dedication: Karen, Shippen, JoAnn, Sunny, Ann, Mandy, Mary Ann, Donica and everyone who closed the tables, sold raffle tickets, and dedicated countless hours to making the Silent Auction a success.
* Airline tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines
* A true community event, many businesses offered products and services that made the event successful. Sponsors are listed in the SADSP website, we thank them, and they would appreciate your business.
* Ski Apache and Inn of the Mountain Gods are major supporters of the Silent Auction
The Ski Run Road Challenge in October benefits the program and has become one of the premier and unique running events in the southwest. Over 70 participants relished the thin but clean air in their lungs and the beautiful vistas as they worked their way up the road to the top. The fastest runners can complete twelve miles and climb 3,000’ in just over 1½ hours! Many thanks to Frederic Moras for organizing this successful event and sharing the proceeds with SADSP. In addition, Frederic and volunteers keep the bottom of Ski Run Road free of trash—thanks again! The 2009 challenge raised over $3400 for SADSP to purchase equipment and defray student expenses.
The first Roswell Golf Tournament was held at Spring River Golf Club on October 23, 2010. This 3 man scramble made over $3000 for SADSP. Thanks to Mike Kakuska and Brian Shea for all their work to organize the event. The day was beautiful, the competition fun and the wind either helped some or hindered others to get the closest to pin prize. Thanks to the players for participating in the benefit, the photographer for her professional documentation, the chefs for an awesome grilled burger and especially to Alexis Roork and her family for joining us for lunch and inspiring the players.
SADSP newest line of clothing: dress snappy for a good cause
This season we are offering caps, jackets, and hoodies with the program logo (three-trak skier). Samples are in the office Price List: Jackets $59, Hoodies $29, and Caps $10
From: Shippen Davis August 28, 2010
| August 28, 2010 Dear SADSP Board, Staff and Volunteers, Marty and I have met periodically this summer to make plans for the upcoming season. A newsletter will come out in November as usual but until then we still wanted to give you an update on what’s happenin’. This fall we will have two events in October that will raise money for SADSP. First is the Ski Run Road Challenge on October 16th. Frederic Morales is the organizer of that and he will need 6 volunteers to help run the race. We are printing new brochures to go into the participant’s packets and will have a table on the patio at Ski Apache where the race ends which will have information about the program. We get a percentage of the entry fee which was over $2000 last year. Thanks to Frederic for giving us this opportunity! If you can help out that day (the race is 8am to 11am ish) let me know and I will send you more information as we get closer to race day. Frederic also has adopted the first three miles of Ski Run Road to keep clean of trash. If he ever needs help cleaning I told him I would gather up some volunteers so keep an eye out for that in the future. On October 23rd, the Roswell group (Brian Shea, Mike Kakuska and others) is holding a Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for SADSP. It will be at Spring River Golf Club in Roswell and we will receive $500 per hole from sponsors. When I get details from the Roswell team on the sponsorship we may want to ask some folks up here to sponsor. Keep the date open so we can help out, play golf, or just support the event by being there. I will send more info as I receive it. Thanks Mike and Brian! Riker Davis has been advising me in the selection and purchase of some jackets, hoodies and caps with our logo (three tracker) and motto ( denying barriers and defying gravity) to resell up at the mountain to raise some money. If approved by our board, we may have these items for the October events as well. Kudos to Riker for his time and expertise. We continue to work with Disabled Sports USA in meeting their criteria to become a chapter of their organization. We still have a few hoops ahead of us so more on that in the future. There will be a Fundraising Committee meeting on Thursday September 9th at 6pm-8pm at my house This committee so far is Dorsey, Karen, Cecelia, JoAnne and Shippen. Please, if anyone else is interested in joining us, know that you are so welcome. We will start with dinner (bring a salad) and then talk about the auction January 29, 2012 and brainstorm more fundraising ideas. If anyone is interested in being on the board of SADSP please let this be known. We welcome more members if qualified, however, employees of SADSP may not serve as a board member. Sincerely, Shippen Davis |
Volunteer Training For the 20010 / 2011 Season: January TBA
Please try to make it if you plan to volunteer.
Coach Training: TBA ~~~~Volunteers are welcome to come train with us!
Ski Run Road Challenge Web Site
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
8:00 AM
RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO
Frederic Moras dedicated the 3rd Annual Ski Run Road Challenge to raise funds for our program. Racers started at the Soft Ball fields / Winter Park Tubing area, and crossed the finish at Ski Apache parking lot where food was served and awards given.