Governator’s surprise appearance at Mammoth Mountain

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger surprised the young participants of last weekend’s After-School All-Stars by showing up at Mammoth Mountain to speak and ski with them. (Photo: Kirkner)

Fifty low-income children from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego visited Mammoth Mountain April 23-25 as part of After-School All-Stars (ASAS), an organization founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The children were treated to two days of skiing and snowboarding, lessons, lodging, meals, transportation and other events courtesy of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.

As an added bonus, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a surprise trip to Mammoth to speak to the children about the importance of after school programs. Mammoth Mountain Chief Executive Officer Rusty Gregory also presented Gov. Schwarzenegger and the After-School All-Stars Program with a donation of $5 for every lift ticket sold at the resort for the weekend, totaling over $25,000. Following his speech, the Governor hit the slopes to take some runs with the lucky children.

“There are many, many people that have been there to help me along the way,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during his speech to the children. “Life is about everyone getting an equal chance and everyone helping each other. That’s why it is our responsibility to do everything that we can, so that you can have the same joy.”

“We’re helping you now so you have to help someone in the future,” Schwarzenegger added.

After-School All-Stars attendees were treated to all of the things that make springtime in Mammoth great: skiing and snowboarding, sunshine and crowd-free slopes. The children also attended a special banquet and career panel featuring Mammoth Mountain employees of all levels as guest speakers. Professionals in hospitality, food service, marketing, hotel management and other areas discussed their career paths and what their jobs entail.

Founded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, After-School All-Stars was created to provide children with after school programs that are fun for kids and keep them safe to help them achieve success in school and life.  The After-School All-Stars program serves 80,000 youth annually through after school and summer programs in 13 cities across the country.

To learn more, visit www.as-as.org. –MMSA/LAK