On Saturday, June 6, Sugar Bowl Academy held its graduation ceremony at the Mount Judah Lodge at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Gabby Anthony, who has yet to decide which university she will attend, Carmen Fregulia, who will attend Gonzaga College in Spokane, Wash. and Will Kanellos, who has deferred college in favor of pursing ski racing another year racing, all received diplomas.

Held in the newly renovated Judah Lodge, the ceremonyand#8217;s speakers highlighted the accomplishments of Sugar Bowl Academyand#8217;s unique student body. English teacher Ambrose Tuscano gave the address to the senior class, in which he reminded the Class of 2009 of how their personal growth will lead them to new, independent journeys. Tuscano stated, and#8220;The daily grind of mandatory classes, compulsory athletic training and imposed discipline is a thing of the past. What lies ahead depends and#8212; to a small degree and#8212; on the choices youand#8217;ve already made. But one thingand#8217;s unequivocally true. Itand#8217;s not going to be anything like the last four years.and#8221;

With thoughtful reflection, valedictorian, Carmen Fregulia of Johnsville, Calif., spoke about the rewards of attending a ski academy on Donner Summit. She stated, and#8220;Maybe the prize is getting to be here. We get to do things that many, almost all our peers, would never dream of.and#8221;

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Marcus Nash, a former Olympic Nordic racer and Truckee resident, was the commencement speaker. With humor, Nash reflected upon his successes as a competitive skier and inspired the Sugar Bowl Academy student body with a timely discussion of the long-term benefits of being involved in the sport of skiing. Nash stated, and#8220;I am successful today as a direct result of the skills and discipline developed as a competitive skier.and#8221;

Although the Class of 2009 was center stage, the ceremony was also marked with the presentation of awards to other members of the student body for academic achievement, athletic achievement and leadership. Truckee local Jacqui Lebel took top honors in the awards ceremony earning the Williams Book Award for leadership; SBAand#8217;s Student-Athlete of the Year Award for all around excellence; the Outstanding J1/J2 Female award for her outstanding ski season and the Mathematics Departmental Award.

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Sugar Bowl Academy is a even through 12th grade college preparatory school for Alpine, Nordic and Freeride skiers. Applications are now being accepted for the 2009-2010 academic year. Visit http://www.sbacademy.org.