50th Anniversary

Celebrating 50 Years of GMVS

June 9-11, 2023

Schedule of Events


Early Arrival?

For those of you who are arriving early to the valley, Al Mandell ’80 is leading two gravel rides. Check out the details if you are interested in joining one or both rides:
Thursday, June 8th
Stowe Gravel Ride:  Meet at Cafe on Main at 11:30 am where there is public parking. ~30 mile no-drop ride.
Friday, June 9th
Valley Gravel Ride: Start from the GMVS campus at 11:00 am and ride through the Mad River Valley – no-drop ride.

Friday, June 9

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Check In, Library Porch

12 p.m. Golf tournament, Sugarbush Golf Course
We’re putting the FUN back in fundraising. Join your GMVS friends during a friendly (and sometimes a bit competitive) game of golf to benefit GMVS at the beautiful Sugarbush Resort Golf Club. Awards to follow at the Kick-Off event to be held at Lincoln Peak. Register for golf at the GET TICKETS link above.

5 p.m. Cheers to 50 Years – Kick-Off Event, Sugarbush Lincoln Peak
An opportunity to mix and mingle with friends and family while enjoying hors d’oeuvres at the Castlerock Pub.

8 p.m. Evening Socials, See Details Below for Locations Around the Valley 
Reconnect, reminisce and find out what’s new with your fellow classmates! Please join any one of the alumni socials, immediately following the kick-off party at Sugarbush. Thanks to our GMVS alumni for hosting these special opportunities to connect. Locations and details are below.

Hosts: Jennifer Kennedy Zanca ’79 and Chip Leer ’80
Hogan’s Pub, Sugarbush Resort Golf Club
Rewind to the beginning and reminisce over good food and fun music. Join Jen and Chip from 8-10 p.m. at Hogan’s. Donations are appreciated to help cover the costs.

Host: Mark Radcliffe ‘88 and Jamie Meagher ‘88
Address: 4591 Millbrook Road, Waitsfield VT 05673
Mark and Jamie invite you to the base of Mad River Glen for an after-party of drinks, snacks and revelry at 4591 Millbrook Road, Waitsfield. There is plenty of parking at the lot across the street! Drink donations are welcome.

Host: Scott Joslin ‘96
Address: 3 Joslin Hill Rd, Waitsfield
Enjoy a large bonfire, small outdoor fire for s’mores and a grill if you want to bring something to cook. Coolers full of ice will be available to keep beverages cold. BYOB and small bites to share. Upon arrival, park anywhere on the lawn.

Host: Geoff Duckworth ‘01, Caitlin (Welter) Fleckenstein ‘01, and Libby Babbot-Klein ‘02
Address: 365 Quarry Rd, Waitsfield
Join this party for an outdoor fire, s’mores, light food, and great company. From after the opening party until whenever. We will have beer and wine. If you want something particular to eat or drink consider bringing it along. We are looking forward to seeing new and old faces!

Hosts: Brett (’09), Jane (P’09) and Bruce (P’09) Depper-Goldstein
Address: 2789 Center Fayston Road, Fayston
Join us after the official party to continue catching up! Late-night bites, beer, and wine are provided.

 

Saturday, June 10

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Check In, Library Porch

8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Children’s Activities, On campus
Supervised and facilitated children’s activities available on campus.  Ages 4-12 are welcome, parents need not attend.

9 – 11 a.m. Activities Around the Valley (Triathlon Starts at 8:30am)
Bring a bike and your pick of athletic shoes for group activities around the Valley.

  • GMVS Triathlon – 8:30am start at Blueberry Lake Mountain Trail. A multi-leg adventure race that kicks off with a scenic run. Athletes will then swim or paddle (SUP) across beautiful Blueberry Lake and finish the race on rolling beginner to intermediate mountain bike trails. Teams of one, two or three — your pick! Check out the course HERE.
  • Hike – 9am start at a variety of locations around the Valley.
    • Easy Hike – Kid-friendly hike with a beautiful view at Sunset Ledge (Rock) Trail. Meet at the trailhead.
    • Intermediate hike at Mad River up the work road to the double or the single chair. Meet at the Mad River parking lot.
    • Intermediate hike at Mt. Ellen up the work road to the summit. Meet at the Mt. Ellen lodge.
    • Intermediate hike at Lincoln Peak up the work road to Allyn’s Lodge. Meet in the Rumble’s Courtyard at Lincoln Peak.
  • Mountain Bike – 9am meet up time. See details below for each ride.
    • Beginner Ride at Blueberry Lake. Riders will meet at the RPC on Campus at 9am and take school vans with bike racks to the trail to minimize the impact on parking at the trailhead.
    • Intermediate / Advanced Riders at Revolution/Evolution. Riders will meet at the trailhead behind American Flatbread at 9am.
  • Road Bike – Starts from the GMVS RPC at 9 am.

 

Afternoon Events, On campus
Recognition of the Class of 2020
State of the School Update – 1 PM RPC Gym

5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Children’s Activities, On campus
Supervised and facilitated children’s activities available on campus.  Ages 4-12 welcome, parents need not attend.

5 p.m.  50th Anniversary Bash, Upper Field
A full-send celebration with food trucks, live band, dancing, and s’mores by the firepit. An evening under the tent celebrating the people and experiences that have shaped GMVS since 1973.

Sunday, June 11

7 a.m. Speed Hike 
For those early birds, join Doug Lewis ’82 for a fast-paced hike up and down Mt. Ellen. At the top have a look down memory lane at the Inverness Training Slope. Return back in time for brunch in the Dining Hall!

9 – 10 a.m. Brunch, Dining Hall
Let the taste of brunch take you back to your mornings at GMVS, without dish crew!

11 a.m. Family Soccer and Pick-up Lacrosse, Lower Field
Dust off your cleats and dig out your vintage GMVS shirts, or pick your team of choice to root for from the sidelines. Join us on the lower field to play a friendly game of soccer or bring your stick for a pick-up game of lacrosse.

**Campus tours will be offered throughout the weekend

Lodging Discounts


Stay On Campus

GMVS Dorm beds are available for Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday morning breakfast and Sunday brunch are included with your purchase. We will do our best to accommodate requests. Towels, bed linens and pillows are available at an additional cost — stay tuned for details. Those under 21 must be accompanied by a parent to stay in the dormitories. Drugs, alcohol and other substances (whether legal or illegal – including tobacco and cannabis) are prohibited. Book your dorm bed on the event registration form.

Sugarbush Resort

Click HERE for special discounts from Sugarbush

Hyde Away Inn

Contact the Hyde Away Inn for a discount on stays of 3 nights or more; 50% off the lowest-priced night. Use Promo Code: GMVS

The Featherbed Inn

Call the Featherbed Inn and let them know you’re coming to the GMVS 50th Celebration for a discount on stays of 3 nights or more; 50% off the lowest-priced night. Children are welcome at the Featherbed Inn. Several of our rooms are dog-friendly. (Ph: 802-496-7151)

Tucker Hill Inn

  • $199 per night, pre tax, two night minimum, breakfast included
  • Any Available Guest Room, First Reserved, First Served.
  • Book directly online with discount taken upon arrival (current rates will be reflected in the reservation confirmation)
  • No deposit
  • Free Cancellation
  • No children under 12
  • No pets

Questions? Contact Us!

Jennifer White


Alumni & Events Coordinator

Jennifer joined GMVS Advancement team in 2010, and is currently the Event Coordinator and Alumni Coordinator. She grew up in Shelburne, Vermont and attended Lyndon State College graduating with a BS in Ski Area Management. While she was there she competed on the xc ski team. Prior to GMVS, Jennifer managed several cross country ski areas, and is a certified massage therapist. She lives in Waitsfield and enjoys spending time with her son, daughter and dog. She also loves to bike, hike, run and travel.

Heather Socha


Director of Development

Heather was raised in Milton, VT where she developed a great love for the outdoors. She went on to study at Mount Holyoke College where she earned a B.A. in German Studies.

Heather pursued several career opportunities in Philadelphia, PA and Chapel Hill, NC before returning to her home state. Prior to joining GMVS as our Director of Development, she spent seven years at Norwich University in Northfield, VT where she also earned a Masters in Business Administration. While at Norwich, Heather served in many roles in both the Alumni and Development offices, including leading the worldwide clubs program, planning the university’s bicentennial events, and guiding the Annual Giving team.

Heather lives in Sharon with her partner David. They enjoy everything Vermont has to offer — mountain biking, skiing, running, hiking, and camping.

Kristina LeBlanc


Business and Advancement Associate

Kristina joined GMVS in 2021 as a Business and Advancement Associate serving in a supporting role in both the Business and Advancement offices. She grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts and went on to study at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she earned a B.S. in Health Science. Prior to GMVS, Kristina worked in both the physical therapy and teaching fields in addition to teaching youth sailing and swimming along the way. She has competed as a multi-sport athlete, pursuing soccer, ice hockey, and softball in high school and sailing in college. Outside of work, she is passionate about the power of nutrition and its role in preventing and reversing disease. She enjoys practicing the piano, art, cooking and being in nature in whatever way she can whether hiking, biking, or sailing in the summer or skiing in the winter. She lives in Waitsfield with her husband Jason.

Kristina joined GMVS in 2021 as a Business and Advancement Associate serving in a supporting role in both the Business and Advancement offices. She grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts and went on to study at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she earned a B.S. in Health Science. Prior to GMVS, Kristina worked in both the Physical Therapy and Teaching fields in addition to teaching youth sailing and swimming along the way. She has competed as a multi-sport athlete, pursuing soccer, ice hockey, and softball in high school and sailing in college. Outside of work, she is passionate about the power of nutrition and its role in preventing and reversing disease. She enjoys practicing the piano, art, cooking and being in nature in whatever way she can whether hiking, biking, and sailing in the summer or skiing in the winter. She lives in Waitsfield with her husband Jason.

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