Jason Chen, a senior at Rye High, described his performance at States this month as “the culmination of my whole ski racing career.”

 

 

By A.J. Chabot

 

Jason Chen, a senior at Rye High, described his performance at States this month as “the culmination of my whole ski racing career.”

 

He qualified for States last month by placing second in Section 1 competition last month. That achievement led to his being named Lions Club Athlete of the Month for February.

 

Chen has been ski racing for as long as he can remember, training at Windham Mountain on the weekends, and with the Mamaroneck Race team during the week.

 

He finished 23^rd in Giant Slalom at States. “It’s a great end to my skiing career,” he said. “I made a lot of friends along the way, learned life skills like perseverance and determination, and had a blast every step of the way.”

 

Chen has been a high honors student throughout high school. He’s also the lead saxophonist with the Rye High Jazz Band.

 

He was captain of the Mamaroneck race team, co-captain of Rye High’s cross-country team and competes on the varsity track team.

 

Chen has worked as a ski instructor with Adaptive Sports Foundation, teaching disabled children and adults how to ski. He’s also worked as a counselor with Camp Tohkomeupog for Boys in Madison, New Hampshire. There, he worked as a lifeguard, swim instructor and led whitewater and flat-canoe canoe trips.

 

This fall, he will attend Northwestern University. The Wildcats have a ski race club that Chen plans to join.