Memories of Symposium '07

Symposium 2007 at Big Sky, Montana had the theme, "Come Inter-mingle". And Intermingle we did! Approximately 310 members from the Northwest and Intermountain divisions (along with some from Northern Intermountain and Northern Rocky Mountain) joined for three days of great spring skiing, training and fun.

If anything defined Symposium this year, it was this chance to ski and train with people and clinicians from other divisions. Classes were great! Comraderie, new faces, new coaches, new friends. We heard positive comments all the way around.

The terrain and views from the Peak reminded us of a trip to the Alps, but in this case only a short flight or a long, beautiful drive away. And once we were there, everything just a walk away. Amazing weather, high altitude, Gondola, Cable Car, fresh powder, soft spring snow, frozen spring snow, challenging our 30 SPF sunscreen, what to wear?, lunch served by the fire (by the fire???), beer on the deck, watching back flips, belly flops and the occasional successful pond crossing to celebrate the close of the season.

Awards from Intermountain and the Northwest were presented Saturday night at one of the biggest (and BEST!!) banquets ever. Approximately $1800.00 was raised for the Northwest to benefit our EF Scholarship fund in a combined raffel with Intermountain.

One very special award of note: Barb Darrow, our office manager for 25 years was recognized for her incredible 25 years of service to the division. She was given a 25 year pin, custom made just for her and a plaque. She and her husband will be able to enjoy their summer vacation a bit more this year with a cash contribution from the division. But it was the other two awards that she really cherishes. The first was an honarary Level III certification. Members put together an album on the spot with pictures, personal notes and memories from their years of knowing Barb. She could only say, "It is so nice to be loved". And she is.