Portland, OR. Wy’East Mountain Academy is an outdoor-oriented, action sports academy designed to develop students in the classroom as well as in the outdoors. The organization is launching a nonprofit foundation to help offer financial aid to students who otherwise would not be able to attend.
Most students attending Wy’East Mountain Academy are enrolled in Edgenuity, an accredited online elementary and secondary school. The school’s web-based curriculum meets Oregon state standards while licensed teachers provide the instruction online.
The academy enrolls students ages 12 to 19 who want to combine a rigorous academic setting with skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking, and other outdoor recreation sports.
Wy’East Mountain Academy offers sport-specific coaching that facilitates athletic progression at all levels, from just starting out to competing professionally. Its first annual Good in the Woods fundraising celebration will be held on Friday, December 17th, 2021. The goal is to bring families and supporters together to celebrate the new 501c3 not-for-profit status and to raise $50,000 in scholarship funds so administrators can extend the Wy’East Mountain Academy experience to more students. To help reach the goal, there is a Penny for Penny match on all proceeds raised.
Student at Wy’East academy on graduation day.
The school holds a parent’s weekend each year.
Kevin English, Academy President, explains the plan to raise $50,000. “The goal of Good in the Woods is to help raise funds for tuition assistance. When you look at any of these sports we’re talking about, they’re incredibly resource-intense, these are not inexpensive sports in the first place, and then you couple that with a boarding school, it really limits the number of people who can afford to do something like this.”
Unique silent bid items include fun items like snowboarding & skiing gear, IKON pass, renowned action sports photography, and airline tickets. “Adversity is nothing new to this school,” English said when talking about challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our team, coming from this action-sports world, is really all about risk mitigation. When you’re a high-performance athlete, that’s all you’re doing, you’re never eliminating risk, but just learning to mitigate existing risks and I think that’s what we’ve done with the school and we’ve navigated it rather well.”
From Wy’East Mountain Academy:
Wy’East Mountain Academy (formerly Windells Academy) is a world-class outdoor-oriented, action sports academy designed to develop driven and talented students in the classroom as well as in the outdoors. Wy’East enrolls students ages 12 to 19 who want to combine a rigorous academic setting with skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking and other outdoor recreation sports. To this end, we offer sport-specific coaching that facilitates athletic progression at all levels, from just starting out to competing professionally. We enable students to learn, train and participate in sports year-round while attaining high school or college credits that are transferable in or out of any US accredited school, national or international.
The meaning of Wy’East.
“Wy’East” is the original name for Mt. Hood, given by the Multnomah people who first inhabited its nearby lands. That this mountain draws us together is central to our spirit of adventure and achievement. It is this special place we call home and to which we pay homage.
What we believe.
Our mission is life improvement through people, place, and passion. We believe that if you put the right people in the right place, with shared passions and college preparatory academics, you’ll not just improve the life of young person, but change the world by helping to create driven and compassionate citizens.
Our vision is to be a top ten globally rated outdoor academy with alumni who are helping to improve the world.
A Lifestyle Story: Skiers are getting the hang of adhering to new Covid-19 restrictions at Mount Hood Meadows (MHM). Many have been impressed with the respect shown by others.
Physical distancing, face masks, regular sanitizing, individual responsibility, and accountability are required for guests and employees.
Skiers must buy tickets in advance, so here’s a link: https://www.skihood.com/ Mount Hood Meadows is the largest ski resort on Mount Hood. It’s located about 67 miles east of Portland.
MHM spokesperson, Dave Tragethon explains how skiers should think about hitting the slopes. “Think of Meadows as your fitness and meditation center. Come on up, get your workout, spend time reflecting, gain some insight, and then head back down the mountain refreshed. Make room for others who are in need of this same enrichment.”
The team at Meadows put together a video of one “Bluebird Day” in mid-December, with, “Fresh snow from the night before, temps in the teens, and a great groom. A lot of mountain open, with all six high-speed quads, plus four other lifts operating, helped spread out the crowd.”
Dave Tragethon explains that messaging about being patient and kind is resonating with skiers who have taken 2020 suggestions to heart, including:
Giving each other space at the lift lines
Observing and respecting the indoor capacity signage
Sharing outdoor dining space – limiting their time to the allotted 30 minutes and only for those who have purchased
Giving space on shuttle buses and in the queuing lines
Being considerate of those who are arriving for the noon and 2 PM shifts. Once you’ve got your turns in, head out to make room for others coming in
If Meadows reaches parking capacity, don’t park in other Sno-Parks, such as Teacup – leave room for others who want to cross country ski or snowshoe. There is no shuttling service to these Sno-Parks, and hiking is dangerous
“We thank all those who are putting others first while protecting themselves by wearing face masks properly at all times in our parking lots, lodge and deck areas, in lift lines, and on the lifts. Let’s take this spirit of caring for each other another step when planning our time on the mountain.”
Liftlines can be a bit longer than usual even though attendance is limited. Because of Covid-19, skiers are no longer seated four across with people from outside of their families. Most skiers ride up two at a time.
Masks are required on chairlifts and in lift lines.
Covid-19 protocols also necessitate that masks or face coverings are required:
• Indoors at all times (except when eating)
• On shuttles
• In parking lots
• All other outdoor locations where you can’t maintain six feet of distance from those not in your party
From Mount Hood Meadows, here are answers to FAQ:
Are reservations required? Season pass holders don’t need a reservation. Lift tickets must be purchased online in advance by at least 3 PM the day before you want to come up. Lessons and rentals must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance online. We will not sell any tickets, lessons or rentals at the resort this season.When do I need to purchase a lift ticket? Tickets must be purchased online in advance by at least 3 PM the day before you want to come up. Lessons and rentals need to be purchased online at least 48 hours in advance.What days can I use my Value Pass? Value Passes are valid every day, but on Peak Days they won’t work until 2 PM. Peak Days are December 26 – January 3, Saturdays and Sundays from January to March 7, MLK and Presidents Day Mondays. Get all the details on our Value Pass FAQ page.What if I want to use my Value Pass during the day on a Peak Day? You will need to purchase a ticket to ride during the day on a Peak Day.
When is my Night Pass valid? Night Passes are valid starting December 16, 2020, Wednesday through Sunday nights (from 2 to 9 PM), as well as extended night operations during the holidays. Night operations are scheduled to run through early March.
Do I need a reservation with my USSA Gold Pass? No, but you do need to pick up a ticket from the Concierge Desk.
Do I need a reservation with my Elite Pass? No, you can either purchase a pass and piece of media for $12 for the season, or just a piece of media for $2 and come have it reloaded at the Ticket Booth when you want to use it.
I have a season pass, but couldn’t park in the lot because it was full. Is there anything you can do? We are sorry you didn’t get in the lot. On busy days, we recommend getting here early or planning on coming up in the evening for night skiing and riding.
What if I come up without a Season Pass or lift ticket – can I take my chances? No, sorry lift tickets, lessons and rentals must be purchased online in advance. We will not be selling these at the resort this season.
What if I lost my pass? You can get a new piece of RFID media to replace your lost pass for $2 at the ticket booth outside the main lodge, or at the ticket windows at HRM.
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