What was supposed to be five trips of fun in the snow, turned into no trips at all.
During winter break, Loudoun County Public Schools disassociated themselves with any ski/snowboard clubs in the county. Independence’s ski club was among those cut, as were the ski clubs from Briar Woods, Rock Ridge and Tuscarora High Schools.
Ski clubs in LCPS can still be an activity as long as they are not through the county. The county dropped the clubs due to liability issues, which leaves over 60 students at Independence with a non-refundable ski card, and no way to get to the slopes. The ski club at Independence was scheduled to have five trips in January with anyone who wanted to join welcome to participate.
Ski club member Annabelle McPherson, a junior, was excited for the start of the ski club, prior to its dissociation from the county. “I get to ski with my friends, so it’s a lot of fun,” McPherson said.
Junior Evan Black, the co-founder of this club, was very eager to get the club up and going. “Last year I started one at Rock Ridge, and I really enjoy skiing,” said Black. “I knew I wanted to carry those traditions that we made last year here.”
The members of the ski club, and their parent sponsors, are working on getting the club back on its feet while no longer being affiliated with LCPS in time for spring. “We are trying to make [a ski club] not affiliated with the county, but there are a lot of steps to get there,” admitted Black.
The ski club has now been officially called off, as of Feb. 2. The reason behind the official cancelation was lack of participation and lack of transportation to get to the slopes.
The group behind this club is persistent in ensuring that next year the skiers and snowboarders of Indy will have a place to go.