The Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) held their annual awards event on Sunday, Sept 26th at Park City Mountain Resort, Canyons Village. Nominees for the Sam Jackenthal Showstopper award were: Wes Campbell, Ellie DeRosier, Floyd Geddes, Samantha Shuflit, and Jack Squibbs. Ellie DeRosier was the award recipient for 2021. Ellie was training in Europe and unable to attend the YSA event.Â
Sam Jackenthal Showstopper of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an athlete and their moment from the previous year that left a lasting memory — whether wowing the crowd, demonstrating world-class showmanship, wiping out with spectacular style, performing a silly and playful athletic moment, or completing an incredibly difficult trick for the first time in competition.
This award is given in honor and memory of one athlete who exemplified all of these characteristics, Sam Jackenthal. Sam’s larger than life presence was an inspiration for us all. Show stopping came naturally to him whenever he skied off a rail, in the half pipe, flipped off a gnarly jump, went inverted in the skate park, cracked an inappropriate joke for his friends or simply walked in a room with that massive and infectious smile. In his 16 years on this planet, Sam left a lasting impression and lived more than most people do in a lifetime…a constant reminder that life is short, be present, work hard, dream big, laugh often and live like Sam.
About Ellie Derosier
PCSS Park & Pipe nomination for the Showstopper award goes to Ellie Derosier, who not only exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of living like Sam every single day, but had a show stopping moment that wowed each and every one of us. Ellie struggled with Slopestyle competitions for nearly 2 years. Although she couldn’t put a run to her feet, she brought a positive spirit, huge smile and a resilient attitude after each competition. She didn’t let it bring her down, but rather let it propel her forward and continue to put in the work. At the Mammoth Futures Event this year, everything she had worked up to that point was being consistent and putting a run to her feet. As she dropped for her first run, 2 deep breaths and a positive spirit, she laced an entire run start to finish. Not only did she come bolting up to the top in pure excitement that she landed her first run in 2 years, but she scored in the 90s, landing her in 2nd place and receiving a Rev Tour Spot for the upcoming year. These are the show stopping moments that show us why living like Sam each day – being present, working hard, staying positive, laughing and dreaming big- far surpasses the result that came in this moment. It was the little things, the day to day that made this moment so worth it, so special for Ellie. Landing that run was everything, that 2nd place earning her a Rev Spot was just the icing on the cake.
