From the Ski for Light Bulletin - Spring 2009
By Cara Barnes
During the planning meeting for the 2009 Ski for Light event, Andrea Faust of the Soldier Hollow Ski Resort asked if it might be possible to involve the students at Soldier Hollow Charter School in some way. After the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the building that once housed the timers and race officials became the home of the Soldier Hollow Charter School.
The school serves approximately 150 students from kindergarten to sixth grade and skiing is, of course, part of the curriculum.
"How did you become blind?" a student asked SFL Board Member Scott McCall, during a group presentation for the students at the Soldier Hollow Lodge. Another wanted to know how to approach a blind person to talk or ask a question. Still others were fascinated with the idea of sit skiing and solicited such practical information as; "How do you go up hill?" and, "How do you stop?"
The presentation was followed by an on snow activity in which students experienced a bit of guiding and blindfolded skiing. "I hate being blind!" declared a kindergarten student to first year guide Debbie Schubert. One first grade girl was so busy demonstrating all her ski skills to SFL attendee Gayle Fox, she paid little attention to her blindfolded partner, who was essentially left to feel her way along the tracks, until Gayle gently redirected the young guide.
Ski for Light participant Lynda Boose encountered two of the older students after they had completed the activity and inquired about their experience. When Lynda asked if they felt like they were falling while skiing blindfolded, the students agreed that it was an odd sensation at first, then observed, "But we could hear a lot better when we were blind." The students asked Lynda if she was one of the blind skiers and when Lynda replied that she was, they exclaimed, "Oh cool!" The two skied off a short distance then returned to apologize saying; "We didn't mean it like that."
"Put your left ski right here," directed one boy as he tapped the snow with the tip of his ski pole, completely forgetting that his companion was blindfolded. Another student proved to be an excellent guide for his initially anxious mother. Both were smiling broadly as they completed a loop around the Charter School.
As we said goodbye and awarded each child a blue ribbon, I couldn't help but wonder if any of these students will grow up to be future Olympians, or better yet, future SFL guides!