NENSA is thrilled to announce that we have hired a new Youth & Introductory Program Director, Kaitlynn Miller.
Kait comes to NENSA with an impressive skiing resume, and a rich history of NENSA and our programming from the BKL on up.
Kait grew up in Elmore VT, and participated in the Stowe BKL program as a child. Her first NENSA BKL Festival was at the Trapp Family Lodge in 1999. She skied for the Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club as a junior, competing in the Eastern Cup in high school and Eastern High School Championships, and Junior Nationals for the New England team. In college, Kait skied for Bowdoin College for 4 years, and then raced for the Craftsbury Green Racing Project (GRP) for the past 6 years, during which time she continued racing Eastern Cups, many of which were combined with EISA Carnivals and U.S. Ski & Snowboard Supertours.
During college, Kait jumped into some of our NENSA Marathon Series events such as the Bretton Woods Marathon. During the past three years, while with the GRP, she enjoyed competing in our NENSA rollerski series. In addition to competing for the GRP, Kait worked with young people at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center coaching youth ski and bike groups and organized a summer citizens trail race series. Kait also represented the U.S. as part of the Cross Country Ski Team at the PyeongChang Olympics in the winter of 2018.
Kait’s favorite BKL memory is from her last NENSA BKL Festival held at Notchview in 2005. While she had fun racing that weekend, her fondest memory is skiing through the troll forest with her friends and searching for fairy houses and trading dried beans for cinnamon toast!
Amie Smith, Executive Director, is thrilled to have Kait join our staff. “She is the whole package – and comes to us with a deep understanding of our NENSA programming, experience working at Craftsbury in both their programing and events, social media and data management – everything we do here at NENSA! But beyond that, skiing means so much to Kait and that lifestyle and passion is so evident when you talk with her. Kait will be a great ambassador for our next generation of youth skiers here in New England as she shares her love of the sport with them.”
Kait’s thoughts on joining the New England Nordic Ski Association: “I am thrilled and honored to further the incredible work NENSA does to sustain a vital and active ski community in New England. I’ve been on the receiving end of so many positive experiences throughout my entire ski career, thanks to NENSA. I am now looking forward to being on the giving side where I can work to create fun and inclusive experiences for others that hopefully deepen and expand participation.”
What Kait is looking forward to this season: “Even in these altered times we are in I am looking forward to meeting and connecting with people throughout New England (virtually for now), facilitating a strong sense of community, and creating fun reasons to ski and be active.”
Justin Beckwith, NENSA Competitive Program Director, is excited to have Kait on board, “I have fond memories of Kaitlynn growing up in New England – from watching her help caretake the Slayton Pasture Cabin at Trapps as a young girl, to her striding up the final hill in Presque Isle to win the classic sprint at Junior Nationals as a U20. More recently we’ve come to know Kait as a thoughtful member of the Green Racing Project – even with the kindest demeanor she was a formidable competitor in any level of competition. It’s very special to have someone with her talents excited to give back to sport immediately after her racing career!”
Kait will be taking over the reins from Tom Weir, who has been our NENSA Y&IP Director for the past two years, as he leaves for Graduate School. They will overlap this month.
As the title indicates, the Youth & Introductory Program Director at NENSA is responsible for all youth and introductory programming, which includes our BKL & Nordic Rock’s programming as well as our very popular Women’s Day. This position is also in charge NENSA’s New England BKL Festival, U16 Eastern Championship and Eastern High School Championship, as well as collaborating with our Competitive Program Director on coaches education, our NENSA Rollerski Series, and now, our Virtual Programming!
Kait will continue to reside in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and her first day of work is today! You can reach her at Kait@nensa.net
