Once again, the Windham Chapter donors can be proud of the seeds they helped plant a few years back.  Providing $250k in seed money, the Windham Chapter funded a brave new idea—host the first Windham UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

Play forward to 2014 and Windham’s 3^rd UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.  A lot of people did a ton of work to host the event.  Much of the work went unseen to organize and oversee the races which drew 1200 competitors from 41 countries. Windham is the only United States stop on the UCI Mountain Bike tour, which hits nine  countries, and has obviously impressed the UCI, the international ruling body for the rapidly-growing, highly disciplined sport. Town was hopping and if you ever doubted the need for bike lanes on our country roads, look no further!

Very few of the names of the elite cross-country and downhill racers are known to people living in Windham. However, we are proud to recognize our very own pro biker Justin Lindine who did participate in Windham’s first Mountain Bike World Cup event.  Justin, native of Maplecrest, recently won the National Cyclocross Title on his 30^th birthday, according to his proud mom, Marty who continues to reside in Maplecrest.

Zahia Ismail is the recipient of Windham Chapter’s 2014 Outstanding Student Scholarship award. Zahia achieved many academic honors at WAJ and graduated salutatorian of her class. Known for her sense of purpose and dedication to helping others, Zahia will attend SUNY Stony Brook this fall. The Windham Chapter Outstanding Student Scholarship award is the largest scholarship given to any WAJ student. Zahia will receive $12,000 over four years to help with college expenses. Zahia is the eleventh winner of this prestigious award.

Zahia Ismail

Henry Vanucchi is the recipient of Windham Chapter’s 2014 Trade & Technical Scholarship award.  Henry’s perseverance and can-do attitude speaks for itself.  A highly determined person, Henry worked evenings and weekends on the family farm throughout his school years. He graduated from WAJ with high marks and a serious passion for food.  Henry will pursue his passion this fall in culinary arts at SUNY Delhi.  Henry will receive $2,000 over the next two years to help with college expenses.  Henry is the second winner of Windham Chapter’s Trade & Technical award.

Henry Vanucchi