The Stratton Mountain School Spring-a-Thon is an opportunity for students, faculty, coaches, staff and trustees to get silly and have some fun in the name of raising money for scholarships. Teams of approximately 25 receive pledges to ski all day, and the competitive nature of each group shows its true colors, as everyone tries to best the other teams in total dollars raised.
The SMS Spring-a-Thon will celebrate its 23rd year this March 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event has been held nearly every year since the school’s founding. Back then, families of the fledgling school got together to raise money for the school by skiing as many runs as they could during the set hours of the event. <!--break-->
Today, the Spring-a-Thon brings together students, faculty, coaches, staff and trustees for a day of skiing and snowboarding at Stratton Resort. Teams raise anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, and all funds raised benefit the SMS Scholarship Fund. In 2008, the event raised nearly $21,000 for scholarships.
“The best part of the event, other than raising money for the kids, is that we all step out of our roles and niches for a day and just have a blast laughing with and at each other,” said John Casella (pictured on page 60), SMS teacher for more than 20 years. “Really it’s just ‘let your hair down’ and enjoy what brought us all here in the first place!”
Despite its serious purpose, the SMS Spring-a-Thon inspires the “goofy” in students, faculty and coaches alike. Students raid their parents’ closets to unearth vintage ski treasures from the 80’s, or simply don odd ensembles and wigs. The day has the feeling of a true spring ski carnival with plenty of fun and spirit. Everyone participates in the silliness, and most students play “switch” with their respective winter sports. Snowboarders take to the alpine skis. Nordic skiers try out the snowboards, and alpine racers take to whatever gets them down the hill.
“The Spring-a-Thon is a great way for students and faculty to actively participate in making a difference in each other’s lives by raising money for scholarships,” said Christopher Kaltsas, Headmaster of Stratton Mountain School. “Plus, it’s a great celebration for the entire school community to go out together at the end of the season and just have a great time.”
Stratton Mountain School is a ski and snowboard academy located at the base of Stratton Mountain. The school serves students in grades 8 – 12 with winter programs for 7th graders. The SMS community of students, faculty, coaches and staff share the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.
