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This story got picked up by 48 Degrees North.

https://48north.com/news/senior-sailor-shoutouts-part-three-gorge-sailing-team/?fbclid=IwAR23gEVUQIaaBcAS9_EwhfQA7lJHWqVMpRZtotaEi-uT-PQUdSoKPK8mi_o

Congratulations Seniors!

Lars

Good Afternoon everyone!

Congratulations to all of you wonderful sailors and seniors. My heart goes out to you as you are essentially robbed of so many wonderful memories and celebrations! I can’t imagine the disappointment and now the added challenge of finishing off online and who knows what’s next? Surreal times.

I hear you as my son Jacob too just graduated from Stanford ... nada nothing really as of yet. No commencement, no grad parties, no college Nationals, no normal culmination for all the hard work. But this will build Character and resilience!!! Above all, your generation will make significant changes. I feel it!

Three more pictures.

The Hood River Yacht Club's high school sailing coaches wanted to honor the 13 graduating seniors from both Hood River Valley High School and Columbia High School on the team. These kids have been so fun to sail with over their high school careers. After getting robbed of their senior season, if you get a chance to take any of these sailors out this summer, I know they would really appreciate it.

Cael Price - Hood River Valley High School
Cael sailed here in The Gorge as a kid and then moved away for a while. Cael had just moved back and was coming on strong. Cael is a cheerful and helpful sailor who is going to do well at whatever he decides to do. The coaches are all hoping that Cael continues his sailing in college.

Dylan Trainer - Hood River Valley High School
Dylan joined the high school sailing team last year. He started as crew and once he knew how things worked, he was keen to drive. Everything came back to him quickly as we started the season this year and Dylan now has the skills to sail any boat confidently. The coaches are sure that he will enjoy these skills as he moves into the world.

Ellen Sova - Hood River Valley High School
Ellen started sailing with the high school sailing team last year and got a taste for how fun the sport can be. The coaches could tell she really wanted to improve this year. Never afraid, she was working hard to make that happen. That ability and desire will take Ellen a long way.

Eva Jones - Hood River Valley High School
Normally with seniors your coaches something like, “Ok, it’s time to spread your wings and go out into the world.” Eva’s wings have been spread for some time now. The next step is to learn how to soar and just enjoy the flight.

Gavin Ullrich - Hood River Valley High School
Gavin sailed as a kid and was excited to be coming back to the sport. Gavin really wanted to do well this year and was looking forward to racing. He was improving every day he got on the water. It be really fun to see what Gavin does with sailing in the future.

Grace Skakel - Hood River Valley High School
Grace is a real sailing competitor. Smart, confident, and competitive; all the traits that make Grace special also make her a great one to have on a sailing team. This was shaping up to be a fantastic year for her. The coaches really hope that Grace continues to sail.

Kevin Johnston - Hood River Valley High School
This was the fourth year that Kevin sailed for the team. Kevin is a talented waterman and his skills on the race course just added to this fact. Kevin was last year’s team captain and one of this year’s race captains. Kevin is always quick to help out his team and his coaches and is going to do great in college.

Payton Bunch - Hood River Valley High School
Having many friends on the team, Payton decided she was going to give the sailing team a try this year. After the first day of practice, the coaches knew she was going to be a wonderful addition to the team. After the first windy day of practice the coaches knew she was going excel. And after the second windy practice, Payton asked if she could drive! The coaches will miss sailing with Payton and her great smile.

Romain Levassor - Columbia High School
Every time we get the chance to have a French exchange student sail with us we are excited. Romain did not disappoint. Now we will have to sail with him in an other place on another boat. Gorge Sailing Team wishes you the best, Romain!

Saylor Sundby - Hood River Valley High School
Saylor is such a hard worker. Without anyone else knowing, Saylor kept the team out on the water each day by showing up on the off days to work on boats, sails, and the dock. Saylor’s coaches have really enjoyed having him on the team, both as a sailor and a leader.

Sofia Newton - Columbia High School
Sofia joined the team as a Senior this year and was so fun to be around. She was excited and hard working at practice, was kind to everyone around her, and really seemed to enjoy sailing. The coaches look forward to seeing you out on the water in the future, Sofia!

Lily Simpson - Hood River Valley High School
Lily is the Sailing Team’s most adventurous senior. Lily took the winter off to go work on a sailboat in the Carribean and is hoping to go to school at University of Hawaii in the fall It has been really fun to watch her progression. She is a brave skipper in our high winds and a natural leader. Keep your eyes up for Lily in the near future both on land and on the water.

Stella Waag - Hood River Valley High School
Stella is another of our amazing sailors on Gorge Sailing Team. Stella is a super hard worker and enjoys doing so many different things. Stella is heading for a challenging college career but her coaches know that she is ready for anything they can throw at her!

If you see these kids around, wish them luck and take them sailing!

Thanks,

Lars, Kass, Mallory, Erik, and Mark