Sherman : Where were you born ?
Gray : I was born in South Newbury on a vegetable and dairy farm . My older brother was born at Gifford hospital in Randolph , but my mother decided that she wanted to do a home birth for her second pregnancy . I was actually born on the farm with a midwife . My younger brother was , as well .
Sherman : How did your family end up in Vermont ?
Gray : During the campaign , I did a little bit of family research . On my dad ’ s side , I ’ ve been told that my great-great grandfather came to Vermont from County Leitrim in Ireland . He fought in the Civil War and represented Vermont for the Union . On my mom ’ s side , I believe that her ancestry is more of a mix of English and Irish . My grandfather founded Brattleboro Tire and spent a lot of time in Southern Vermont . My dad is from Putney . My mom is from Dummerston and Marlboro , so their roots go back to Windham County . I enjoy learning everyone ’ s story . I strongly believe whether you ’ ve been in Vermont for four days , four years , four decades , or four generations , it doesn ’ t matter . We ’ re all Vermonters at the end of the day , that ’ s important to remember .
Sherman : How did your parents meet ?
Gray : My folks were both former ski racers . My mom went to Brattleboro High School and graduated early so she could race as a downhill skier . She made the U . S . Ski Team at a really young age and traveled overseas to race World Cups . After an unfortunate accident at Val-d ’ Isere , she came home to Vermont . She always wanted to have a farm , and I think she put a lot of the competitive drive that she had once channeled into her skiing into working the land . My dad was a cross country ski racer . He was on the U . S . Ski Team and raced in the ‘ 68 and ‘ 72 Olympics . He retired from skiing , and he and my mom started farming together in Hartland , Vermont . The farm today is called “ Four Corners Farm ” after the first farm they worked in Hartland ( Four Corners ). When they first met , they ran the farm in Hartland during the summertime , and in the winter , they ran a ski and touring center in Randolph . They did ski lessons and operated a rustic touring center for folks who wanted to come to Vermont and ski and sauna and enjoy what Vermont had to offer . Ultimately , they bought the farm in Newbury , where they still live today . Both of my brothers now help run the farm with their families . In any family business , there are a lot of hard days , but there are also a lot of shared successes . They work together well . The farm is a special place to me . It ’ s also a “ one-stop-shop ”, where I get to see my parents and brothers all at once .
Sherman : What was it like to grow up on a farm ?
Gray : Growing up in the summer months , it was an “ all-hands-on-deck ” situation at the farm . I think a lot of my friends had summers where they went to camp or were on vacation , but at Four Corners Farm , my summers consisted of helping to pick vegetables , helping to run the farm stand , and helping to get produce washed and on the trucks for different farmers ’ markets and stores . Friends who would come over to hang out and play , knew that coming to Four Corners Farm on a summer day most likely meant being put to work , but it was still a lot of fun . Although it wasn ’ t always easy , I wouldn ’ t trade my childhood on the farm for the world .
Sherman : How did you end up at Stratton Mountain School ?
Gray : I went to Newbury Elementary School first and then Oxbow High School . I really got into skiing around that time . Growing up , we did a lot of skiing as a family . It was something we did with my parents - and not necessarily with our friends . In high school , I found out about Stratton Mountain School and Coach Sverre Caldwell , who was and remains a legend . I don ’ t think my parents even knew that I applied , at first ! I remember filling out the application , sending it in , getting accepted , and then having to tell them that I wanted to leave home to attend a ski academy . It wasn ’ t what they necessarily had in mind , but we all went and met with Sverre together , and I ended up going . I will never forget my parent ’ s sacrifice to make my dreams possible . We sold vegetables from the farm to the school to help pay my tuition . I remain incredibly grateful to the school for letting us do that . I ’ m not sure it would have been possible otherwise .
Sherman : What were some of the most important lessons you learned at Stratton Mountain School ?
Gray : Coach Caldwell tried to teach a lifestyle of sustainability . Not only were we training ourselves for the upcoming ski season , but also for whatever life goals we set for ourselves . We learned how to build mental and physical strength and endurance in a way that was gradual , enjoyable and sustainable . I was also surrounded by student athletes from around the globe who were part of the same experience . We all learned together , trained together , and rose to meet our challenges together . When not studying , we were outside . We ran on the Long Trail . We swam at Pikes Falls . We did time trials at the Ball Mountain Dam and on the track at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington . It was an extremely formative experience , and I grew to love southern Vermont in the process .
Sherman : When was the last time that you were back at Stratton ?
Gray : I went back there during the campaign . It was like a walk down memory lane . I drove through the different areas where we used to roller ski and the places where we used to bike and train . I also had the opportunity to reconnect with classmates and their families , including D . J . Wassick , whose folks own Wassick Family Tire in Bennington ; Andy Newell whose father David Newell helped on the campaign ; and Carson Thurber , who is now back at SMS as the Headmaster . These classmates remain lifelong friends and I am inspired by the work they are doing in their communities and for Vermont . In the end , I think we all learned through our time at SMS how to care for each other , to fight for the things we care about , and to give back to the land and community that has given so much to us .
Sherman : What happened after Stratton Mountain School ?
Gray : After I graduated from Stratton Mountain School , I was ranked as one of the top female skiers in New England and was offered a scholarship to ski for the University of Vermont . It was such a big honor . UVM was - and still is - one of the top ski teams in the country . I raced all four years as a proud Catamount . I ’ ll admit , it was not always easy . I had a full course load , plus double practices some days . I remember riding my bike to the ski room as the sun was rising , getting in the van , heading to the mountain , and getting back
VTMAG . COM WINTER 2021 31