Loudoun Country Day School Visit

One part about being home that I love so much is getting involved with the community. I haven't been back in Virginia much since I started Skeleton because I've been bouncing from one Olympic Training Center to the next with no real home base. Being back has allowed me to reconnect with a lot of people, including Dr. Hollister, the headmaster at Loundoun Country Day School. Today I got a chance to go back to LCDS and talk to the kids at their all-school morning assembly....

(Now I know I'm back at LCDS... Dancing with the famous statue outside the front door)

Loudoun Country Day School is a very special place. I was lucky to have discovered it even though it was only for my 8th Grade year. It prepared me so well for high school... I couldn't have asked for an easier transition. I loved the small atmosphere and the teachers were very accommodating to whatever the kids needed. LCDS is where I really took an interest in a variety of sports. It was the first time I ran cross-country, played field hockey, lacrosse and basketball on a team. I loved it and have continued my athletics ever since.

(Dr. Randy Hollister, Kellie Lessard Brooks (we first met as LCDS classmates and have been close friends ever since), Keslie, Mrs. Russell, Mr. Ross)

Dr. Hollister has done an amazing job keeping in touch throughout the years... I'm not sure where he finds the time to write so many hand written messages and letters letters but it's very special. We used to call him "Doc" but rumor has it the kids get in trouble these days if they say that so I had to bite my tongue a few times today :) I walked into the gym to set up my equipment this morning and couldn't help but feel like the basketball court had shrunk. Well, I kind of felt like the hallways had gotten a little smaller too... guess I just got a whole lot bigger. haha.

(About to give my presentation during morning assembly)

My talk went very well. I couldn't believe how well behaved and polite all the kids were. I remember my class being yelled more to be quiet. I showed a quick video of me sliding and threw in a few pictures of me at LCDS just for fun. I talked a little bit about how I got started and where I hope to go. An 8th grader, Lisi, volunteered to demonstrate how to slide down the track on my sled... she had perfect form (I might have to try and recruit her in a few years!!). I was very impressed with the questions the kids fired at me... everything from "have I ever crashed" to "what has been the best experience of my skeleton career". They all seemed very excited about the sport and I'm so happy I could come back and share my story with them. I'm glad I can give a little something back to a place that did so much for me growing up.

(Yep, that was me at LCDS 14 years ago!)

.... And a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on their NEW SCHOOL! I'm sad they'll be moving out of my old stomping ground but the new building looks AMAZING! LCDS has almost doubled in size since I graduated so it's an exciting move for them. Can't wait to see it next year!