As the year winds down and winter settles in, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible adventures, growth, and connections made throughout the past season. So grab a cozy drink, bundle up, and dive into Apogee’s December Peak News!
Also, if your Apogee Alum has done something cool or exciting recently (and we know you have!), please send a blurb and photo to jackie@apogeeadventures.com. We love hearing from you!
Apogee Alumni Feature - Lucia Greenhouse
Lucia Greenhouse can now be referred to as “cross-continental biker and half marathoner Lucia Greenhouse!” Lucia was a student on one of our epic Europe Coast to Coast trips last summer, cycling 1,200 miles over the course of four weeks from Amsterdam to Venice. Now she has taken that love of endurance cycling and translated it to running by completing her first-ever half marathon!
Lucia ran the Golden Gate Half Marathon in early November in her native city of San Francisco. While she mentioned that the physical fitness she built biking across Europe was certainly valuable to her marathon training, she said, “my Apogee trip taught me how to approach challenges and maintain a level head while doing strenuous things (shoutout Alps Day!), which was another important aspect of preparation.”
When asked about the highlights from the race, Lucia mentioned that running over the Golden Gate bridge just after sunrise was pretty special; this here editor of Peak News thinks that sounds like an incredible experience! Up next on Lucia’s endurance journey? In her words, “I enjoy running, but I also love long distance biking. Perhaps a century, or more bike touring?” We do love that answer about bike touring here at Apogee… Congrats to you, Lucia, and we can’t wait to hear about your next incredible adventure!
Lucia with her Europe Coast to Coast group last summer.
Maine Coast College Essay Feature:
Writing Instructor Elise Wallace
If you’ve ever looked at our Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE) program and wondered about the writing professional behind the scenes, it’s time to meet Elise Wallace, our master writing instructor entering her third season with Apogee!
Elise brings a wealth of experience to the MCCE program, blending her love of adventure with her academic expertise. A magna cum laude graduate of Wake Forest University, Elise went on to earn her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Hampshire, where she also taught undergraduate writing courses.
Elise boasts years of teaching experience, including working with college-hopeful high school students on their essays while teaching at the White Mountain School in New Hampshire. She currently is a faculty member at Vermont State University.
Outside the classroom, Elise is an avid adventurer – she has through-hiked the Appalachian Trail among other impressive hiking pursuits! Her dynamic teaching style, commitment to student success, and love for storytelling make her the perfect guide for our MCCE students. Read more about Elise in our recent blog post!
Office Happenings: Flash Sale – Holiday Hoodies!
Apogee’s Holiday Hoodies are back for a (very) limited time!
This season, we’re offering a warm and cozy Red NextLevel hoodie. This cotton/fleece blend will keep you warm throughout the long winter and is a great gift for any Apogee students (or parents) past, present, and future!
Hoodies are $55, with free shipping in the continental US. Check out our Gear Store to order and for more information.
Act fast – we have a limited inventory and orders must be received by the end of the day on Tuesday, December 17! Hoodies will arrive in time for Hannukah and Christmas.
| Order your Holiday Hoodie Today! |
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Apogee student Sam modeling our 2024 Holiday Hoodie!
Experience the adventure of a lifetime as you cycle 600 miles along the breathtaking Pacific Coast! Starting in Oregon, you’ll pedal past sandy beaches, dramatic ocean bluffs, and through ancient redwood forests before reaching California’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Highlights include a surf lesson on a California beach, a fulfilling community service project in southern Oregon, and exploring charming coastal towns like Mendocino, CA. With unforgettable scenery, rewarding days of riding, and a celebratory final day in San Francisco, this three-week journey will leave you with lifelong memories and a true sense of accomplishment.
Lunches and evening campfires are always scenic on the Pacific Coast!
Final Thoughts: To the Top Donation Request
As many of you know, Apogee works with the independent, non-profit To the Top Foundation to provide financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be able to participate in programs like ours. To the Top would not be able to provide these often life-changing experiences to young people without the support of the Apogee community.
To that end, we hope that as you consider your year-end giving, you will take this opportunity to make a fully tax-deductible donation to To the Top. Your contribution has a substantial, positive impact on To the Top’s ability to support more great kids and provide them with opportunities like those here at Apogee.
Thanks very much for your consideration, and the Peak News crew wishes you all a wonderful holiday season – see you in 2025 for more news from the Apo-verse!
