Skiers Have Their Final Race

Just before break, Northwood’s 13 alpine skiing seniors raced in the Annual NYSEF Alumni GS. The race was followed by a ceremony to honor the NYSEF and the Northwood seniors.

Cara Dempsey ‘25 is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 11 years, including racing with NYSEF Gore, NYSEF Whiteface, NYSEF Winter Term, and finally NYSEF Northwood. Next year, Cara is attending Boston College as a member of their Division 1 ski team and studying biology. Cara says, “The race and ceremony were really sweet and made the seniors feel really appreciated. We all are going to miss this place next year so much.”

Cara Dempsey ’25 at the start of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Teegan Wardlaw ‘25 is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 12 years at NYSEF Whiteface, NYSEF Winter Term, and NYSEF Northwood. Teegan is attending the University of New Hampshire to study business. During the race, Teegan was “realizing I was about to be in a new chapter in life.”

Teegan Wardlaw ’25 at the finish of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Zac Wargo is a four-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 9 years. “Northwood has been the most memorable and significant four years of my life. Northwood has provided me with the opportunity to follow my passion for ski racing at a competitive level while also allowing me to acquire a great education along the way.” Zach is undecided where he will go to college next year, but he hopes to continue skiing.

Zach Wargo ’25 at the Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Sydney Kuder ‘25 is a three-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 6 years, spending 3 years at Winter Term and 3 years at Northwood. Sydney is, “still undecided on my plans for next year. I hope to ski D1 in college, and I have an offer to do so at St. Lawrence College. I am really grateful for my time at Northwood and NYSEF, and I will cherish these memories forever.”

Sydney Kuder ’25 in the start of her final race of Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Julianne Brochu ‘25 is a three-year senior at Northwood. Next year Julianne will ski D1 at Saint Michaels College in Burlington Vermont.

Julianne Brochu ’25 in the start of her final race for Northwood. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25 is a two-year senior and has been skiing with NYSEF for 2 years. Next year Arielle is attending Saint Lawerence University and skiing division 1.

Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25 on course for the final time at Northwood School. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Elleanore Pelletier ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood. Next year she plans to take a Post Graduate year at NYSEF Winterterm. Ellenore was unable to race for most of the season after sustaining a knee injury. She has spent the season rehabbing and supporting her teammates.

From left to right Julianne Brochu ’25, Natalie Gaekle ‘25, Elleanore Pelletier ‘25, Teegan Wardlaw ’25, Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25, Sydney Kuder ’25, Arielle Haccoun Choquette ‘25, and Cara Dempsey ’25 at the finish of the race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Charles Leduc ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 2 years. Charles intends to attend college next year and is deciding between Queens, Babson, Clarkson, and McGill.

Charles Leduc ‘25 on course at the Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Luke Salibello ‘25 is a two-year senior at Northwood and has been with NYSEF for 5 years including 3 at NYSEF Winter Term and 2 at NYSEF Northwood. Next year he is going to the University of Utah to study Bio-Medical Engineering.

Luke Salibello ’25 at the NYSEF Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25 is a first-year senior at Northwood. Midge plans to take a Post Graduate year and will be back at Northwood and skiing for NYSEF in the fall.

Marie-Jeane Cazes ‘25 ripping out the start at the NYSEF Alumni Race. Photo by Jack Kroll.

Natalie Gaekle ‘25 is a first-year senior at Northwood. “Coming to Northwood skiing I felt very out of my comfort zone. I had never done the level of skiing that athletes here had done their whole lives and I was worried about how it would work out. However the team welcomed and supported me in more ways than I could imagine. My coach Worm especially, made the transition amazing and forced me to get out of my own head and focus on my own improvements instead of others around me. I’ve learned so much in one year about the FIS alpine skiing world, tuning and prep and I feel so lucky to be able to spend my senior year with Northwood NYSEF. Being able to ski around so many amazing athletes and people has been a privilege and I feel like I’ve fulfilled a dream of mine.”