SPOTLIGHT : SYDNEY KOOP
SPOTLIGHT : SYDNEY KOOP
STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER • PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SYDNEY KOOP
Koop ’ s love for skiing began at a young age . “ I started skiing when I was two . My dad taught me how to ski race , and it was a big part of my life when I was growing up .” This early start led her to a successful run of ski racing competitions across the Midwest , but Koop eventually realized that she needed a more specialized program to reach her goals . “ I knew I had to go to a bigger mountain and get some more professional coaching ,” notes Koop . This pursuit of excellence led her to SMS , where she fell in love with the school ’ s balance of high-level coaching and strong academics .
Stratton Mountain School ’ s new Junior Program Director , Sydney Koop , shares the full-circle journey that led her back to Stratton
Joining SMS as a sophomore in 1999 , Koop embraced the holistic approach that the school offered . Her experiences at SMS laid a firm foundation for her collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire , where she excelled as a Division I skier . “ The SMS program is bigger than just winter sports ,” shares Koop . “ It helps to shape student athletes into really strong humans .” Koop adds that at SMS , the emphasis is not solely on athletic and academic prowess . The key tenets of SMS ’ program are centered around building well-rounded individuals . “ SMS really taught me to balance all of the different aspects of my life ,” she notes . This balance was crucial when she transitioned to the University of New Hampshire , where the pressures of being a student-athlete could have been potentially overwhelming . “ I came into college confident that I would have no issues balancing my academics and athletics because of what I learned at SMS .”
stratton Mountain School ( SMS ) is a renowned Southern Vermont institution that is celebrated for its dynamic integration of winter sports and academic programs . This fall , SMS is welcoming a new leader to its exemplary Junior Program : Sydney Koop . A proud alumna of SMS , Koop ’ s journey
as a student-athlete has now come full circle , enabling her to channel the same values of hard work , determination , bravery , and strength that she learned at SMS towards her work as their Junior Program Director .
Growing up in La Crosse , Wisconsin ,
The skills and values instilled in Koop at SMS extended beyond time management and academic discipline . The school ’ s community-oriented approach taught her the importance of teamwork and camaraderie . “ We learn to push each other and encourage each other to be better , which is essential in both sports and life .” This
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