For the Sun Peaks Secondary Academy graduates of 2025, their high school years were filled not just with textbooks, but with chairlifts, powder runs and community adventures.
SPIN caught up with this year’s graduates to learn more about their journeys, plans and memories they’ll take with them.
Sadie Grunling
Sadie Grunling admits school sometimes took a backseat to skiing, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“I really like skiing,” she said with a laugh. “I procrastinate a lot in school, so I’m mostly skiing instead of doing school.”
In addition to hitting the slopes, Grunling worked alongside nurses during her time at school, an experience she found meaningful.
Her favorite class? American Sign Language.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “And honestly, every day here felt like an amazing memory.”
Looking ahead, Grunling plans to take a gap year.
“I might do some online courses, but mainly I just want to take a break from school.”
Avery Tymchyna
Avery Tymchyna has been a student in Sun Peaks for the past two years and is no stranger to the slopes.
“I’m a FIS athlete on the Sun Peaks alpine ski team. I’ve been skiing for eight years now.”
Next year, he will be heading to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to study business, majoring in finance, but he’s not hanging up his skis anytime soon.
“I’m going to be continuing to compete around with this team and TRU is close by.”
When asked about his favorite school memory, he laughed.
“I missed a lot of school for skiing, but the espresso shot incident stands out. Last year, a bunch of grads bought our teacher a bunch of espresso shots from Vertical Café, she ended up with a massive headache and had to go home!”
Other standout moments include gym class, a Whistler ziplining trip this year and a visit to Revelstoke last year.
“And of course, all the friendships I’ve made,” he added.
Alex Tataru
Alex Tataru moved to Sun Peaks three years ago and quickly became part of the community.
“I started skiing when I was three,” he said. “But it was here that I learned to mountain bike. My school friends taught me, then we started skiing the park together.”
His favorite school memory?
“Back in Grade 10, there was a powder day and I’d never been into the backcountry before. A few friends took me out and kept me safe. That experience gave me confidence and I started skiing tougher terrain on my own after that.”
Now, Tataru is headed to the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver to pursue a Bachelor of Science, hoping to major in computer science.
“Maybe something in the space industry.”
AJ Nadort
A more recent addition to Sun Peaks, AJ Nadort moved here a year and a half ago.
“I was focused on ski racing, so the school’s flexibility and online options worked really well for me,” he said.
Asked about a memorable moment, Nadort recalled a wild prank.
“We bought a ton of chocolate milk, poured it into one of those big water jugs and dumped it on someone. It was hilarious.”
Looking ahead, Nadort wants to become a conservation officer, keeping the wilderness that shaped him safe for others.
Charlie Sissons
Charlie Sisson’s journey took him from ski racing to ski instructing and now to the mechanic shop.
“I’m a level-three ski instructor here at Sun Peaks. These days I’m working as a mechanic in a local shop in Whitecroft.”
School memories?
“Being able to go skiing at lunch.”
Sisson plans to stick with the trades, eyeing a heavy-duty mechanic apprenticeship at Finning in Kamloops.
A mountain-shaped experience
From espresso-fueled pranks to backcountry bonding, these grads show that life in Sun Peaks offers more than just a classroom education. For them, school was intertwined with adventure, community and growth, both on and off the slopes.
Congratulations to the Sun Peaks graduating class of 2025. Your next mountain awaits.
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