My name is Madeleine Khamnei and I’m not just here to ski, I want to make a difference. I know that skiing isn’t just a sport or something you do on a Saturday afternoon, it’s way more than that. Skiing is an escape, and a way to create a safe home. Skiing is a very big part of my life and it means the world to me. I have no problem waking up at 5:00 in the morning to ski until the lifts close. When I reached nine I got in the top ten overall in the triple crown (I believe it was 5th place). I always put my best foot forward, even in the hardest of times, which I really appreciate  because that’s what it takes to be a good skier! I typically go for the big jumps, even if there isn’t a girl there, and even if I fall, I get up, laugh, and move on to try and do it again. This is where I start to realize that Ryans’ principles are a very big part of my skiing and adventuresome life! And all though I live in the small city (Burlington, Vermont) in a small state, I’m doing my best to be able to do what I love.