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2010 EPA Region Young Adult Program Advisor Report
The EPA Region Young Adult Program once again had a very good year. Our own
event at Blue Mountain, held the weekend of February 20th and 21st,
had ten Young Adult Patrollers participating. Once again we were blessed with
excellent conditions and the unparalleled hospitality of the Blue Mountain Ski
Patrol to make us feel welcomed. The Blue Mountain Ski Patrol should also be
commended for the incredibly high level of training some of their patrollers
provided during the S&T portion of our event. They have some of the best
instructors in the region and every year they volunteer their time to work with
our Young Adult Patrollers. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their support.
For the second year in a row, we were joined by Matt Abbadessa, our Young Adult
Program National Coordinator along with the Eastern Division Young Adult Program
Advisor, Jerry Hyson and his assistant, Craig Larson. We were able to get an
update from Matt on the Young Adult Program on the National level. National has
tightened its belt all around and this program was affected just as all the
others. The timeline may have slowed but our resolve to move the program
forward at the national level has not. We are cautiously optimistic that more
resources will become available as time marches on.
The EPA Region was represented this year at the Eastern Division Young Adult
Program Seminar at Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts by five Young Adult Patrollers
from three mountains: Blue Mountain, Alpine and Whitetail. My work commitments
prevented me from attending this year but word has it the skiing was great as
expected. Our Young Adult Patrollers once again had a great showing at the
competition that drew 43 participants from all over the Eastern Division. Craig
D’Cruz from Whitetail led the pack with a 3rd place finish in the
skiing competition helping secure an 8th place finish overall.
Marissa Wagner from Blue Mountain took 5th in OEC with Craig D’Cruz
right behind her in 8th. Marissa Wagner’s overall finish was just
outside the top ten with a very respectable 11th place finish. Kelsey
Czyzyk from Blue Mountain led the EPA Region effort in toboggan skills with a 12th
place finish.
It was a great event that enhanced the spirit of camaraderie amongst the Young
Adult Patrollers that was so evident at our own event this year at Blue
Mountain. Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled to take place at
Sugarloaf, Maine.
On behalf of the Young Adult Patrollers, I would like to thank the EPA Region
once again for the financial support of this program through the grant provided
for those that attended the divisional event.
We are looking forward to a successful season next year and hope to improve
participation at both the regional and divisional events. With the continued
support of National, we will strive to break some old stereotypes regarding the
dedication and professionalism our younger generation as they endeavor to
provide the best emergency rescue services to injured skiers and snowboarders.
In conclusion, I would like to personally thank all the respective patrols that
support the Young Adult Patrol program. For those who do not, I encourage you
to reconsider, or as the case may be, ask that you encourage your respective
mountain management to reconsider their position.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wayne Eckelmann
EPA Region Young Adult Program Advisor
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