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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