Olympian Andy Newell visits Montpelier schools
Cross-country skier encourages students to chase their dreams
Andy Newell, a member of the U.S. cross country ski team, was back in his home state on Monday inspiring kids to shoot for the stars.
“When I was your age, I did all kinds of sports. I did snowboarding, I did alpine skiing, I did sledding, I did everything. But as I got older, I started to like cross-country skiing more," Andy Newell told fourth-graders at Union Elementary School in Montpelier.
As a three-time Olympian and professional cross-country skier, Newell likes talking to kids and inspiring them to chase their dreams.
“Become the Olympian if they want to, become the United States of America if they want to, that's my big message is trying to encourage kids to chase their dreams,” Newell said.
Newell is now in his 15th season of competing on the international stage. He shared his journey with slides of his story through skiing, encouraging kids to set big goals and go for them.
“My goal is to ski a double black diamond,” student Somerset Pierce said.
Newell said he also tries to get kids excited about the sport. The Vermont native is about to start his 13th year with the U.S. Ski Team.
He's looking forward to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
“Before then we have many, many action packed years. This is the start of a World Cup season starting in November. And on the US Ski Team, I will compete in over 30 races across the globe. I get super stoked to go and race these races knowing that I have young fans at home cheering me on,” Newell said.
Fans like the youngsters at Union Elementary.
“I think when he gets back on the Olympics, I'd like to watch him,” student Rose Brassard said.