Dear CVA Community:
I want to share my thoughts with you again this year on the state of Carrabassett Valley Academy – including, the opening of Spencer L. Murfey Jr. Hall, Phase I of the New Campus Campaign, our wonderful group of student-athletes, faculty and staff, new leadership on the Board of Trustees, groundbreaking programs, and our goals for the year.
In my 22 years at CVA I can’t remember a busier summer – or a more exciting one! We sold and moved out of the Lumberjack Lodge, made renovations in the Capricorn, and opened Spencer L Murfey Jr. Hall. In early August I felt some qualm as to whether Murfey Hall would be ready for students and staff to move into by September 2nd but those fears were unfounded and opening day came without a hitch. Construction manager Greg West and Clem Begin, volunteer clerk of the works, deserve great credit for bringing the new dormitory project in on time and under budget. All male and female boarding students as well as dorm parents now live at Murfey Hall and all indications are that it is a wonderful place to live and learn. The move of all boarding students to Murfey Hall has allowed for classroom, dining room, office and dayroom renovation in the Capricorn. These improvements have created better day-to-day working conditions for students, faculty and staff and have helped to maintain high community morale during the busy fall months.
On October 6th during the dedication of Spencer L Murfey Jr. Hall I quoted Goethe who said, “Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” I thought that this quote aptly described the leap of faith that was necessary for the CVA Board of Trustees to undertake this project. It has taken CVA a giant step forward. Thank you on behalf of the CVA students and staff to all who have dedicated so much to making it happen.
Through generous donations and gifts-in-kind Phase I of the New Campus Campaign has raised an impressive $6.5 million dollars. The goal remains $7 million so in order to successfully complete the Campaign and pay off the construction loans we aim to raise another $500,000. The New Campus Campaign Committee remains committed to success and continues to seek donations. We have no doubts that with the history of support of the CVA family we will successfully complete the Campaign.
Facilities are important but they have never been the cornerstone of Carrabassett Valley Academy, people are and no group is more important than the students-athletes we serve. This year we have a wonderful student body which is both our largest enrollment at 125 students and the youngest collection of students to date. The increased number of younger students bodes well for future enrollment numbers. Because so many students are young, the leadership of the senior class is important and the Class of 2008 is rising to the occasion. They are responsible, dedicated and proud of CVA. Scott Rowland, president of the Student Council, and the other Student Council members are providing strong student leadership.
I am proud of the professional teaching and coaching faculty guiding our students this year. The veterans are mentoring the few, new, young members of our staff. Together we have committed to this year’s internal employee goal - that all staff would commit to program innovations while maintaining established excellence in academics, athletics and student life. The purpose of this goal is to insure that CVA remains at the forefront of snow sports academy programs. To remain a viable and sustainable institution we must always be working to Building on Tradition and Forging our Future. Programs being implemented this year are: S/CVA Nordic weekend program, junior ski patrol program that would be an adjunct to the ALPS program, on-campus boarding winter camps, adult ALPS winter camp and a new goCVA.com. Programs that are in development for the future are: alpine J4 three-month program, a digital media summer camp, expanded academic summer offerings and the construction of a four-season aerial training site at Sugarloaf. As these innovations are being developed maintaining the quality of existing programs is paramount. These program initiatives are possible in large measure because of the experience and expertise of the CVA faculty and staff.
An important transition taking place this year is the succession of the Board of Trustees chairmanship from Tom Pelletier to Kevin Burns. Tom did an outstanding job during his tenure and he is handing over to Kevin the leadership of a talented Board of Trustees that is well organized, well informed and fully engaged in moving CVA forward. The current focus of the Board of Trustees is to successfully complete Phase I of the New Campus Campaign and ensure that the school operates with a balanced budget.
I am proud to report that our great Academy grows stronger every day because loyal parents, grandparents, alumni and friends remember and support CVA year after year. Go Dogs Go!
Sincerely,
John C. Ritzo
Headmaster
