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23<br />
Life at the A-House<br />
It’s a short walk from the Training Center to the A-<br />
House, a home-away-from home for MSA students.<br />
For many, the A-House provides their first<br />
experience with dorm living. Alpine coach Andrew<br />
Norton and his wife, Deby Pessy, are the house<br />
parents. Working in close cooperation with Head of<br />
School Lynne Sullivan, Andrew and Deby provide<br />
guidance, support, and structure for the thirteen to<br />
fifteen student athletes who reside there over the<br />
course of the season.<br />
Whether the need is for encouragement for an<br />
athlete nursing an injury, or a no-nonsense approach<br />
to the mandated study time, or someone to talk to<br />
about the travails of being a teen, Andrew and Deby make the A-House a home where the students learn selfsufficiency<br />
as well as the cooperation that’s necessary in a group living environment.<br />
A day usually starts with breakfast and either Qi Gong or warm-up runs. (Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese health<br />
care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. Tai Chi and King Fu<br />
are some examples of different styles of Qi Gong.) One student said that Qi Gong really helps get her ready<br />
for her day. For most in the A-House this is their first exposure to Qi Gong. Academic classes or training on<br />
the hill follow. Dinner brings everyone back to the house for food and companionship. Most evenings include<br />
mandated study as well as some time to hang out with housemates or communicate with family and friends at<br />
home. Most residents enjoy having roommates, who are often from other snow sports disciplines.<br />
Deby is the primary cook, Andrew is co-cook and sous chef, and the residents say its hard to choose a favorite<br />
from among the delicious (and healthy) meals they dish up – including occasional specialities from Deby’s native<br />
Indonesia.<br />
All of the students at the <strong>Academy</strong> develop close ties, but living together at the A-House adds a special<br />
dimension to those bonds. Residents walk to and from the Training Center every day for training and/or classes.<br />
They all study at the same time in the evenings, so kids may ask other kids for help with homework, like<br />
siblings.<br />
If you go to the A-House, you will have to leave your<br />
shoes down in the mudroom amongst the impressive<br />
collection of boots of all sizes and types. You will see<br />
that pride of place is evident. As an entire group, they<br />
honor each other in a communal display of the<br />
medals and trophies the student-athletes each earn on<br />
the hill.<br />
We are proud of all our student-athletes, but there is<br />
something special about this community within the<br />
community. The A-House is its own unique brew of<br />
cozy comfort, support, fun, and purposeful<br />
productivity.
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