Kerry Lofy
Kerry Lofy
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Kerry Lofy was raised and learned to ski in Wisconsin. He competed in the x-games as a teenager and ski raced NCAA division 1 in college for Colorado Mountain College. After his ski racing and freestyle career, Kerry took it to the big mountain scene. He competed for a few years on the tour and fell in love with the fast growing sport. He has been coaching for over 10 years and is the Head Big Mountain Competition Coach for Squaw Valley. While not coaching you can find Kerry BASE jumping, skydiving or surfing.
Kimberly Schembari
Kimberly Schembari
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Kimberly grew up in the bay until her parents moved the family to Olympic Valley when she was 9. She fell in love with skiing at Squaw but wanted to explore the world to see if there was anything better for her, so she left at age 18. Kimberly worked in over 30 countries to expand her cultural awareness and to support herself for the 15 years it took to make it around the world. Her passion for the outdoors was a perfect fit for Prescott College where she earned a BA in International Expedition Planning. She did an Internship in London at The Royal Geographic Society in the Expedition Advisory Centre. Kimberly then became an instructor & community service coordinator for OutwardBound in Colorado, California and Patagonia and that’s where her love for working with children in the outdoors was inspired. She started coaching the Squaw Valley Ski Team in 2001.
"There is no place in the world that compares to the Squaw Valley Ski Team! I am extremely blessed to coach these children!" –Kimberly Schembari
Jacques Fix
Jacques Fix
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Jacques Fix is a Big Mountain Competition Coach at Alpine Meadows. He’s been a coach for over 14 years, with skiing as a focus for 8 years. Skiing is a huge part of Jacques’ life and he hopes to continue to be an ambassador for the sport and our mountains for the rest of his life. He loves the mountains and hopes he can continue to give back to our amazing skiing community. When Jacques is not on the hill coaching or working he enjoys spending his time touring, hiking and biking, and hanging with his pup Boone.
"Always take care of our mountains and Ski Fast Ski Strong!" –Jacques Fix
Will Colt
Will Colt
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Will Colt grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire and began skiing as soon as he could walk. He started attending USSA races when he was 6 and could never get enough of it. Growing up skiing for Ford Sayre and Whaleback, he later attended Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Will competed as a Varsity athlete for two years in the USCSA and two years in NCAA Div. 1 as a member of the EISA. Since college, he has moved to Telluride, Colorado where he headed up the FIS Program for the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club. After three years in "T-ride", he continued further west to Truckee, CA and took a position as the Head U12 Coach. Skiing is by far the most important aspect of his life which inspires him to share that passion with the athletes at Squaw! He is very excited to pursue his passion of coaching and continuing his education/certifications.
"Thank you SAF!" –Will Colt
Kyle Rogers
Kyle Rogers
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Kyle Rogers grew up in Squaw Valley and was one of the original Mighty Mite team members. He raced for Squaw until he was 17. In 1998 he returned to Squaw as a Mighty Mite coach and has steadily moved up the team levels until reaching his current position and is in his fifth season as a U14 coach. During his coaching career Kyle has also coached at Northstar and Alpine Meadows. Kyle was coached by some of the legendary Squaw coaches growing up and incorporates the knowledge they imparted to him into his own coaching. Kyle is dedicated to helping Squaw athletes achieve their goals and have a great overall experience like he did as a young racer. When Kyle is not coaching he works on a cattle ranch in north eastern Nevada.
Laura Homen
Laura Homen
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Laura has been a skier for 50 years (48 years at Alpine Meadows, 49 years at Squaw Valley). PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) qualified Laura as a Level 1 instructor in 2008. She is currently a member in good standing with PSIA Western Division.
Laura began coaching 17 years ago at Boreal Ski Resort before she made the switch to Alpine Meadows in 2005. She began coaching as a Junior Mountain Ranger coach at Alpine Meadows 11 years ago with the 5 year olds. She continued to work with Adult Ski School and Kid’s Camp and the Summiteer Program for 3 years and then returned to coach with the Mountain Rangers for the past 2 years working with their 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Laura has been a teacher for 34 years, half in elementary school (primary education) and half in college (currently teaching at Sierra College). The classes are varied: Human Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Psychology and many others. Teaching and coaching are her lifelong passions and she feels very fortunate to be able to do both. Laura’s husband, Pat Homen, is also a college professor and has volunteered for the Foundation. Their son, Tyler Homen, is a coach at Alpine for the Big Mountain Team and he has volunteered for the foundation. Tyler is a past recipient of a scholarship from SAF too. Aly, their daughter, is attending CSU Sacramento as a dance and philosophy major. She teaches dance at a local studio as well performing with a professional company.
Laura’s philosophy for skiing is to practice SAFETY first (Skills and Fun in Early Training for You), while building the confidence to enjoy winter sports and having as much fun as possible “along the way”. Goals for her athletes include improving their skill set both on and off skis, learning about nature, working cooperatively as a team and feeling comfortable in this environment as well as learning about everyday concepts that are appropriate to their age and level of maturity. They discuss weather and snow conditions and how to be good ambassadors for the mountain. Knowing the code and following it make for a positive experience at any resort.
It is a privilege to coach young skiers and Laura wants to thank everyone involved for trusting her in this endeavor. She appreciates the support and interest to assist in making snow sports a mainstay in the lives of as many children as possible. She looks forward to improving her knowledge as an instructor and the opportunity for professional growth.
This season, Laura recently completed her PSIA Children's Specialist – Level 1 Certification.
"Thank you to the Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Foundation for the opportunity to continue my PSIA training and education. I feel very fortunate to have received this scholarship." –Laura Homen
Alex Spychalsky
Alex Spychalsky
2015/16 Scholarship Award Recipients
Alex Spychalsky grew up in New York, and learned to ski on the icy slopes of Hunter "Huntahhh" Mountain. She joined the race team there as a J4. She loved the competition and camaraderie, and continued to race for Hunter until she was a J1. She then went on to race for Syracuse University. After college, Alex returned to her home mountain, first as an instructor, and then later as a race coach, coaching the same team she grew up competing for. Wanting a change of scenery, she moved to Tahoe in 2014 and joined the SVST staff as U10 Head Coach. Alex loves working with kids and getting them hooked on skiing! She is so grateful that SAF has helped her continue her coaching education.
"Tahoe is an incredible place, and Squaw Valley is an extraordinary mountain! I’m so proud to call it home and work for this amazing team!" –Alex Spychalsky