After many years of focus, determination and unwavering belief in themselves, two of SMGS’ community members punched their tickets to the 2022 Winter Olympics.

While Alumnus Adam Dickson (2013) headed to the Olympics start gate for snowboard cross for the first time, Old Scholar Sami Kennedy-Sim is donning the green and gold in her third Olympic Games for skier cross.

Adam Dickson attended SMGS from Year 7 to Year 12 and held the position of Mowamba House Captain in his final year at SMGS. 

While at SMGS, Adam participated in as many co-curricular programs and opportunities that were available to him through the school. He loved participating in interschools events for both mountain biking and snowboarding but, most of all, he loved the team aspect of these opportunities, saying, “I loved competing in sport for my school. I loved being able to represent something other than myself and it always pushed me to try harder and achieve more.”

Of Adam’s time at SMGS, teacher Mrs Krista Mower said, “Adam always put the needs of others before himself and he was always so humble and approachable.”

German teacher, Mrs Madonna Siegenthaler, echoed her colleague’s comments, saying, “Nothing fazed Adam, he always easy-going and approachable. He always got on with others and gave things a go. He was actually the model student in that regard. I never saw him stressed” – all characteristics that have no doubt served him well in his competitions.

A key characteristic of SMGS’ snowsports pathway program is the academic support provided remotely through our online platforms for students pursuing their sporting goals at an elite level.

“My time at SMGS set me on the path of winter sports. The incredible support from all the staff in the school allowed me to pursue my interest in snowboarding. As long as I kept up with the school work and tests, etc., I was able to spend a lot of time on snow and discover my passion for snowboard cross”, Adam said of the support from the school.

Adam made his debut at the Olympics on Thursday 10 February. After a strong 15th place in the seeding run, Adam finished 21st on the day.

Read Adam’s Alumni Story here.

Sami-Kennedy Sim is set to take on the world’s best skier cross athletes on Thursday 17 February at 2:30 pm for the seeding run.

Sami has an impressive resumé, both on and off the snow, which includes multi-world cup podiums, a five-times world championship participant, Stroke Foundation ambassador, Snow Australia Women of Winter program mentor and a Olympic Winter Institute athlete.

Over the years, Sami has been involved with the SMGS community predominantly through the ESA program speaker series, and has also given her time to participate in the Junior School Book Week guest reader series.

During the speaker series, Sami Zoomed in from a training camp to a packed room of next generation snowsports student-athletes and their parents about taking their aspirations to the next level, balancing school and sport and looking after one’s wellbeing.

When asked about Sami as a student at SMGS, all staff agreed, “Sami is an inspirational role model who always gives back, a humble gracious and devoted student-athlete, and the epitome of what an Australian athlete should be.”

Principal, Dr Andrew Bell, echoed his colleagues’ sentiment about the inspiration our alumni provide to our school community, saying, “We are incredibly proud of the young men and women who leave the arms of the school, prepared to take on any challenge and pursue their goals with courage and confidence. We wish Adam and Sami all the best in their Olympic competitions and will be cheering them on here in Jindabyne as they strive for their personal best and beyond.”