Ryan and Alicia

I am giving tribute to my amazing brother Ryan.  Before a second ago, he didn’t know that. He is still here today just to show his support.  He is willingly giving up 2 hours on this beautiful day just to show me how much he cares. This is one of the reasons I am giving tribute to him.  He is a great person who has always been there for me.

Growing up, I spent all my time with my brother and his friends.  I was an enormous tom boy.  I wanted to be just like my brother, so, when he and his friends went to go pee in the woods and they said I couldn’t go, I cried to my mom saying I wanted a penis.

Of course we’ve had our fights, what brother and sister haven’t?  I wasn’t always the nicest and easiest sister to live with, when Ryan and I got into fights, instead of him beating me up shamelessly, they resulted in an excruciating tickle fight.

Ryan’s athletic drive has definitely worn off on me. Ryan’s personality and leadership really helped change the boys’ lacrosse team over the last few years. “Ryan was one of the best captains I’ve ever had, although he was one of the best players on the team he didn’t act like it.  He didn’t talk down anyone and always gave his all on every play.” said teammate Kyle Kelley. Ryan and I spend a lot of time playing lacrosse in our backyard.  He is always giving me tips to help me improve.  Not only is he helping me on the field, but I also really enjoy spending that time with him. I owe him a lot of credit for my athletic success.

Ryan and I have however matured over the years.  I see him more as a friend I love rather than the brother you have to love.  I hang out with him and his friends like they are my own.

Ryan and his friends tend to appear in the late hours of the evening. Being a night owl, I am usually awake.  Not only do they come home late, but they are always hungry, which means they make food.  Ryan’s specialty happens to be one of my favorite foods. Cookies!

This past year, Ryan has been in Vail Colorado taking a year off. He always kept in touch. Obviously he is going to call and talk to my parents, but he used to call my cell phone to just talk to me.  Before he left for Vail, he would drive “Bam Bam” our Honda Civic, but for him to get his luggage out west he drove “Bessy” the old van.  Now that he is back in Vermont he hasn’t even tried to get me to switch cars because he is just that considerate. (Ryan don’t get any ideas)

I went on vacation with one of my friends and her older brother.  I couldn’t believe how awful they treated each other. They fought constantly, and they were barely civil to each other. I can’t believe how poorly some siblings treat each other.  I’m so lucky to have such a great brother that treats me so well.

Ryan has always inspired me. He is someone who really listens when you are talking, he is patient, always has a positive attitude that wears off on those around him and he is just a friendly person.  He is an outstanding athlete along with a superior student.  I strive to be more like him. To me, he is one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and if you have ever met Ryan, I am sure you know what I am talking about.

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep Ryan’s generous donors and the Flyin Ryan Ambassadors informed and connected. We also want to provide our Ambassadors with reminders, stories and information to assist them in putting Ryan’s core principals of living into daily use.

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Peace, love and deep powder

The Hawks Family

http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/blog/_/post/7320378/flyin-sugarbush

Phil Bruno, sponsorship director for UVM’s Ski and Snowboard Club recently posted the following via his Facebook. However, we wanted to make sure others had a chance to read his story about the late Ryan Hawks. Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend.

 For Ryan’s family and friends (I have a feeling Ryan knows this story already).

Almost a month ago now, a few days before Halloween, New England got hit with a huge snowstorm. The storm tracked south, but Killington still saw a foot on the mountain. I left Burlington early, 3:30am, and got to Killington way before the sun would rise. After a few minutes of getting motivated, I started the hike up, in pitch black, all by myself.

It was tough – in other years I have been more physically ready for a ski season, but the drive to get to the top is something that we can all relate with. I stopped only to take a few pictures. I took this photo at 7:30am on Royal Flush, above the Racer’s Edge cut from Great Northern. I then kept hiking and skied down. When I reached the bottom, I realized that I had lost my Flyin Ryan green bracelet somewhere on the mountain. Bemused, I thought, “how fitting,” and drove back to Burlington.

An early sunrise reflecting on Ryan and good snow - Photo: Phil Bruno

Fast forward to 11/19 in Waitsfield, VT at The Big Picture Theatre. The program was scheduled to start at 5pm. It was the Meathead Films premiere, and the night that Peter Hawks and crew would present The Flyin’ Ryan Scholarships to two very deserving kids. I had to work until 6pm, and got to the Big Picture a little after 7. Walking in, I took my seat just as Peter began introducing the Foundation, the Athletes, and eventually presenting the scholarships. The film rolled, the mood was high, and luckily I left before the after party really started to rage – slapping fives with a few friends on the way out. I drove home feeling a huge swelling of happiness and pride for the amazing people (there are so many) who have worked hard in support of The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation, and who continue to spread the righteous spirit that is Ryan Hawks.

The next day at Killington would rank amongst one of the most fun days on the mountain that I have ever had. It’s ironic because for many people there, it was probably unremarkable. I could write forever about how awesome it was to be with my friends, making new friends, and feeling strong and confident on snow, but really what it comes down to is by embodying Ryan’s principles, fun is bound to follow.

At the bar with Tess Hobbs and friends prior to heading back to Burlington, the spirit from the day was still high. I told Tess about the Big Kicker, and she smiled. Leading me on, she held up her green Flyin Ryan bracelet, and asked, “Phil, do you still have yours?” I responded, “No,” and that I had lost it on the mountain.

After showing me a picture message on her phone that a groomer sent to her after coming across the bracelet on Ryan’s birthday last week, she smiled again and said, “Don’t worry, it’s still on Royal Flush. It was one of Ryan’s favorite trails.”

Kelly Baird Flyin Ryan Scholarship Recipient

This is really what the foundation is all about, driving Ambassadorships that honor Ryan’s humanity by sharing his core values so we can provide scholarships to deserving adventurers who are: financially disadvantaged, passionate about their pursuit, and represent the principles for which Ryan was widely known and admired.

Lars, Louise, Louis and Peter on stage.

All and all the night was great. Lots of people excited to for lots of snow this year! The energy was contagious. The

Meathead’s Prime Cut Film was well received with lots of cheers and applauds honoring our East Coast roots.  We had 3 of the Flyin Ryan Team coaches on hand: Lars Chickering-Ayers, Louis Erickson and Louise Lintilhac and lots of Ryan’s friends.

Thanks for everyone who came up and thanks to everyone who has become an Ambassador and made donations that made these scholarships possible. We are actively seeking scholarship applications, if you know anyone who is a good fit for our scholarships, please encourage them to visit: http://flyinryanhawks.org/scholarships/ and complete an application.

Check out our Facebook Page for some photos of the event.

Peace, love and deep powder,
The Hawks Family

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep Ryan’s generous donors and the Flyin Ryan Ambassadors informed and connected. We also want to provide our Ambassadors with reminders, stories and information to assist them in putting Ryan’s core principals of living into daily use.

View Newsletter

To subscribe…enter your email in the subscribe box on the right hand side of this page.

Peace, love and deep powder

The Hawks Family

Stop 1: Rocky Ridge Golf Course, VT for the Flyin Ryan Fall Classic Golf Tournament

9:30 am: The sky looked grey, but there was hope.

11:00 am: The sun started to shine just as the golfers teed off shotgun style for an afternoon of wet and muddy golf in the beautiful VT sunshine.  Thanks Ry.

UVM Davis Center

7:00 pm: Over 1,000 people came out in Burlington Vermont  for Meathead Films premier of their latest east coast ski thriller, Prime Cut. Big thanks to Ski The East, Uvm Ssc, Green Mountain Freeride and Meathead Flims. The evening was dedicated to Ryan and all the proceeds went to theFlyin Ryan Foundation to help fund the UVM Ski and Snowboard Club Scholarship to Mad River Glen’s Freeski Program for two people each year. Very exciting to know after that evening, the scholarships are a reality.

8:00 pm: The evening kicked off with Peter Hawks (Ryan’s dad) coming on stage to a standing ovation. Truly moving and humbling.  After that we were entertained with some great East Coast Skiing and some amazing footage of our Green Mountain Freeride Boys Lars & Silas Chickering-Ayers and Ryan. When Ryan appeared the room erupted in cheer- sending chills up all of our spines.  It was wonderful to hear Ryan’s voice and see him on the big screen doing what he so loved. The passion for skiing and life was evident with every turn. There no doubt he inspired a packed room full of people that evening.

Thanks to FlyLow we debuted the Flyin Ryan T-Shirt….and several members of the audience were spotted wearing their shirts with pride.

We are looking forward to our next event on November 30th in the Mad River Valley where we will get to award our first two Flyin Ryan Scholarships. Please please encourage anyone you know who is interested  and wants to be  a part of the Mad River Freeskiing Program this season to apply at: http://flyinryanhawks.org/scholarships/

Peace, love and deep powder,
The Hawks Family

Upcoming Event:

Don’t miss the Flyin Ryan Fall Golf Classic

Friday, September 30th at Rocky Ridge, What Ales You will be hosting the Flyin Ryan Fall Golf Classic. Skill is not a necessity-just people looking to have a good time! Foursomes at $80/person. Proceeds will go to the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation. To register please call Rick Nold at 802-578-7828 or Flying Ryan Golf Tournament Sign Up

A few highlights from the summer:

The Ryan B. Hawks Memorial Bike Race at Catamount
On July 24th, about 130 Mt bikers came together to participate in a category 1,2,3, and 6 hour mt bike race under perfect temperature and sunny skies.  The course was a beautifully prepared and challenging 7 mile loop which was enthusiastically received by the racers. The 6 hr. endurance race was won by the Flyin Ryan team which included a couple of our Ambassador coaches: Lars Chickering Ayers, Dylan Crossman, Ben Blakely.

Flyin Ryan Sunset Reggae Cruise & Pig Roast
On August 13th, 275 of Ryan’s friends and people who knew Ryan headed out onto Lake Champlain to celebrate his life, watch the vibrant sunset (and moon rise over Camel’s Hump), groove to the Reggae sounds by Big Dog  and devour the greasiest best pig ever known to man.  It was a wonderful evening for all.

GMF Flag Over the Waters of Lake Champlain

Thank you all for your continued support.
Peace, Love and Deep Powder-
The Hawks Family