Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nationally recognized advocacy organization for athletes with disabilities, has named Alexander “Sandy” Kish, Dave Morse and Ellen Riley as 2022 Volunteers of the Year and Kaitlyn Fowle (pictured) as winner of the 2022 Kellen Sans Memorial Leadership Award.
Fowle, patrol director at Bolton Valley Resort, was honored for teaching multiple courses, training programs and certification classes at Vermont Adaptive, all at no charge. The leadership award, named for the late Kellen Sams, an avid adventurer who died in an avalanche in 2010 while backcountry skiing the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, is usually presented to a Vermont Adaptive staff, volunteer and intern who show the greatest commitment to professional development and leadership within the organization.
“Kaitlyn is not a volunteer, staff or intern at Vermont Adaptive,” said Norm Staunton, director of operations at Vermont Adaptive. “In that sense, she is an unusual nominee for the award.”
Volunteer honorees Kish, Morse and Riley “embody the traits and legacy of Jim Hutchinson, a Vermont Adaptive volunteer who left a tradition of empowering people of all abilities through sports and recreation as well as a commitment toward supporting the organization,” Vermont Adaptive said in a release.
“For 2022, just like any other year, we recognize those who go above and beyond our expectations” said Executive Director Erin Fernandez. “This year, we couldn’t decide on one volunteer of the year, so we chose three. We are so grateful and so proud to have a strong organization and even better individuals that make it all happen.”
Kish was recognized for his efforts on behalf of PushBack at Parkinson’s, an exercise program that creates a supportive and encouraging environment for people with Parkinson’s disease. Morse was cited for his instruction at summer and winter programs as well as his assistance at annual events, most notably the annual Vermont Adaptive Charity Challenge. Riley, who is the parent of a Vermont Adaptive participant, was singled out for her work at special events, bike rides, paddling days, Sugarbush trips, ski lessons and many other adventures.