WSS Pilots Lindsey Vonn Foundation Advisory Program Into Annual Advisory Curriculum
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tiia Libin
801-664-0524
WINTER SPORTS SCHOOL PILOTS LINDSEY VONN FOUNDATION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM INTO ANNUAL ADVISORY CURRICULUM
#STRONGgirls Camp Scheduled for Summer 2025
PARK CITY, UT—The Winter Sports School (WSS) will become the first school in the United States to integrate the Lindsey Vonn Foundation (LVF) accredited #STRONGgirls curriculum into its annual advisory curriculum, focusing on mind, body, relationships, confidence, grit, and leadership. Fostering connections between upper- and lower-classmen, the curriculum will include the entire student body and will be implemented as part of the current Advisory Program. In conjunction with training from the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, WSS juniors and seniors will serve as the curriculum leaders.
“The WSS is a natural fit to introduce the LVF #STRONGgirls curriculum because I’ve been in these student-athletes' shoes and understand that trying to balance education and sport is not easy,” stated Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Champion, NYT best-selling author, entrepreneur and founder of the Lindsey Vonn Foundation. “Lifting kids up and equipping them with the tools to succeed is something I take seriously, and this collaboration allows us to reach a fantastic group of athletes at a pivotal point in their development. The LVF curriculum goes beyond the slopes, fostering confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life. Supporting the WSS ultimately means supporting the pipeline of success for Team USA in the 2034 Winter Olympics. With the recent announcement of Salt Lake City as the Olympic host site, the timing of this partnership couldn’t be more impactful and exciting.”
The WSS will host Vonn, and the Lindsey Vonn Foundation Youth Ambassador team, at a private event in August at the school where Vonn and LVF alumni will provide an overview of the #STRONGgirls program. Through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation Ambassador presentation, WSS students, and alumnae will learn about #STRONGgirls camp mentor role opportunities.
LVF plans to host a confidence-building #STRONGgirls camp for 11-14-year-old girls in the region in the summer of 2025. The #STRONGgirls camps are designed to provide attendees with mentors to guide them over two days of action-packed confidence-building activities. Attendees will be uniquely challenged to step out of their comfort zone, build determination, and grit and review a curriculum workbook containing self-reflective activities they can complete after camp.
“While Lindsey never attended the WSS, she inherently understands the significance of our mission and the unique educational needs of highly dedicated student-athletes,” stated Jessie Levesque, Winter Sports School Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “We gladly welcome her hands-on experience in integrated science-based curriculum and look forward to working with the Lindsey Vonn Foundation on future initiatives.”
The WSS is the only public charter high school program in the United States with an academic calendar from April through November each year. The educational and athletic success of the WSS community over the past 30 years includes graduates claiming Olympic, World Championship, World Cup, National, Collegiate, and Junior titles in multiple sports. In its 31st year of operation, the school offers a unique tuition-free educational experience that meets a growing need within the community. Though an integral part of the community, WSS receives considerably less funding per student than the public school district due to its public charter status. Private contributions to supplement public funds are critical in allowing exceptional student-athletes to “chase greatness” in the classroom and pursue their athletic endeavors.
The WSS is in the final phase of a $5 million Reaching New Peaks capital campaign project, including an 8,732-square-foot expansion to the current building, renovations to existing spaces, and a new amphitheater. The demand for existing school facilities has reached capacity. The School has raised $2.8 million to date, and the Board is aggressively pursuing all funding opportunities to raise the remaining $2.2 million necessary to begin the project.
To learn more about the Winter Sports School and the Lindsey Vonn Foundation partnership, visit https://www.wintersportsschool.org and https://www.lindseyvonnfoundation.org/.
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Winter Sports School - The Winter Sports School (WSS) in Park City, UT, founded in 1994, is an instructor-led, college preparatory program for dedicated winter athletes in grades 9 through 12 that operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with an academic calendar running from April through November each year. Students pursue their athletic goals during the winter months while maintaining educational goals. The WSS officially began operating as a Utah State Charter School in July 2014, and its vision is to be the leading college-preparatory school for dedicated student-athletes. The School’s mission is to provide students with the tools, support, and balance necessary to achieve the highest possible levels of success in education and life. The WSS reports directly to the Utah State Charter School Board and the Utah State Board of Education. As a State Charter School, the WSS does not receive funds directly from Park City or Summit County property taxes but receives alternate Charter School Local Replacement funding.
Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsey Vonn, born on October 18, 1984, in St. Paul, Minnesota is one of the most decorated American ski racers in history and widely regarded among the greatest of all time. Lindsey burst onto the international skiing scene in 1999 at the age of 14 and has since captivated the world with her perseverance and superhuman abilities on the slopes. She’s won four World Cup overall championships—one of only two female skiers to do so with three consecutive titles in 2008, 2009, and 2010, plus another in 2012. Lindsey won the gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first one for an American woman. She also won a record 8 World Cup season titles in the downhill discipline (2008–2013, 2015, 2016), 5 titles in super-G (2009–2012, 2015), and 3 consecutive titles in the combined (2010– 2012). In 2016, she won her 20th World Cup Crystal Globe title, the overall record for men or women.
Although Lindsey single-handedly put American ski racing on the map, her journey was punctuated by devastating setbacks and brutal injuries. Broken Ankle, gruesome bruises, and critical damage to a nerve in her arm, just to name a few. For those who’ve struggled to pick themselves up after facing a downfall, Lindsey’s blind resolve isn’t just inspirational; it’s hard to put into words. Her fearlessness is what made her successful, and what pushed her past genuine limits.
Lindsey is also a New York Times Bestselling author for her 2016 debut novel Strong Is the New Beautiful: Embrace Your Natural Beauty, Eat Clean, and Harness Your Power and has served as an International Games Ambassador in the 2018 Winter Olympics and is also the founder of the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which supports girls through scholarships, education, and athletics.
In February 2019, Lindsey announced her retirement from ski racing and that same year commemorated her final season with the release of her HBO documentary “Lindsey Vonn: The Final Season.” Since her retirement, Lindsey has launched a production company, Après Productions, seeking to chronicle stories of sport, women, and determination. She has released her memoir Rise: My Story in 2022, detailing her years as a professional skier as well as her struggles with mental health.
With her vast social media following, growing portfolio of books, TV projects, investments, and commitment to her namesake Foundation, Lindsey looks forward to the next chapter of her life as she continues to build her legacy and empower women of all ages across the globe.
Lindsey Vonn Foundation is committed to empowering underserved girls through camps, scholarships, and life-changing experiences in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Their focus is to help the girls grow as individuals in whatever their passions may be as learners, athletes, or artists. Our programs help girls gain confidence, build inclusivity, and discover their grit within.