Spotlight on Staff
Michela Morillo joined CCASC as an instructor in the summer of 2017 . She is among the most energetic persons we know , and has a real passion for adaptive sports . She is constantly seeking new opportunities to develop her skills and knowledge . She has become popular among the staff , and she is a real favorite among our young participants . Michela has a special knack for instructing children with autism and is frequently asked for when they come to the Adaptive Center .
In addition to applying her skills in the summer programs as an instructor and administrative assistant , Michela is certified as a Professional Ski Instructor of America ( PSIA ) in both the alpine and adaptive winter sports disciplines , and will be working on her PSIA adaptive snowboard certification in the near future . In her “ spare time ” she is a ski patroller at China Peak , a college student , and she loves to hike , climb , ski , paddle board , kayak , and . . . you get the idea !
Meet John Burress , year after year our most frequent winter volunteer ! A retired Civics / Economics teacher , John has been a volunteer in the Shaver Lake community for many years . At CCASC , John is fond of saying , “ just know I volunteer for the lunches !” We know if lunch doesn ’ t include a Dr . Pepper , we are in big trouble . John ’ s favorite story about Adaptive is sad but poignant . One day he was helping a participant with her ski boots . She ’ s trying to decide whether or not to wear her sunglasses . John suggested that she should because it was bright outside and the sun may hurt her eyes . Her reply : “ John , I don ' t have any eyes .” “ I ’ m glad I was working on her boots so no one could see me cry ,” John recalled . Stories like that happen at CCASC fairly frequently . John also has observed that many veterans who come to the Adaptive Center are meeting each other for the first time . “ We work with them skiing and then after a couple of hours they come in for lunch . A few times I ’ ve intentionally left the lunchroom so they can spend time together discussing their shared experiences .” John has come to believe that those moments may be as important as any lesson .
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