Live Like Sam Community Awards
Recognizing athletic achievements, leadership and show-stopping moments, this award is given in the 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, was in the halfpipe, 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. His legacy is a constant reminder that life is short, be present, work hard, dream big, laugh often and Live Like Sam.
The Sam Jackenthal Award for Citizenship at the Winter Sports School is meant to go to the senior student who embodies and embraces the school's values and Live Like Sam's CARE guiding principals.
This award goes to the student who demonstrates leadership, trust, teamwork, tolerance and growth, shows excellence in citizenship, actively helps others, consistently brightens others' days, and is the student anyone can go to for encouragement and support.
The Sam Jackenthal Award was created by the USASA Big Mountain West Series in collaboration with Live Like Sam to honor Sam's memory. Sam was an incredible athlete and a young man full of compassion, drive, smiles and passion in all things, but most especially in his love of freeski. This award recognizes an athlete each year who personifies these qualities. Every year, these two organizations come together to recognize a young athlete who shows great leadership, sportsmanship, passion and compassion both in competition and in life.
Ella and Owen's dedication to sport and the enormous world of caring and kindness they create brought USASA staff to a first-time decision to name two athletes for the award this year.
I Ride for Sam
A Community Project with Park City Mountain
In 2016, Sam's dad Ron approached Bill Rock and his management team at Vail Resorts/Park City Mountain to consider doing something on the mountain in Sam's honor. Throughout the previous year, many local skiers and riders all wore "I Ride for Sam" stickers on their helmets, skis and boards. It was clear there was a massive movement locally to keep Sam's memory going strong, especially the ski and boarding community.
The Future is Now
Basin Recreation Millennial Tunnel Public Arts Project
When approached by the Park City Summit County Arts Council to jointly organize a large-scale art mural in an otherwise large and blank tunnel, Basin Recreation jumped at the chance. It was an opportunity to bring the youth of Park City together to tell us about their views of the future. It was a project inspired, in part, by the life of Sam Jackenthal.
Sam Jackenthal Memorial Bench
A Community Project with Basin Recreation
Rarely do you come across a project that brings community partners together more easily. When Ron first approached Basin Recreation about installing a bench in memory of Sam, he knew exactly what he wanted and where. It was a special place for Sam and athletes like him that trained at the Utah Olympic Park. It was on a popular trail that residents used often and would give hikers, runners and bikers a place to sit and rest while contemplating a life well lived. Of the many ways Ron thought of to honor Sam, this was one of the first.
Watch the video from Lonnie of Red Shoes Living, where he talks about his experience spending time at the Sam Jackenthal bench.
Click the Red Shoes Living logo for a wonderfully inspiring story from Lonnie Mayne.
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The gold handprint is Sam's. It represents Sam holding up his community, his lasting legacy and his continued inspiration to many.
