In The Arena is a not for profit organization with the following
mission statement: “In the Arena's mission is to change the
trajectories of the lives of American youths by deploying in their communities today's elite
athletes, who teach them how to make habits of self-inquiry, accountability, leadership and achievement.”
>I>In The Arena currently has a roster of 11 athletes with community
service projects throughout the U.S. This year three of those athletes
are elite level cross country skiers. Laura Valaas is joining returning In The
Arena athletes Kate Whitcomb and Zack Simons. Kate Whitcomb is
working with a 5th grade class in Ketchum, ID and Zack Simons is working with the Physical Education Department in an Elementary school in Park City, UT.
Laura Valaas is proud to recently join the In The Arena team and to be a part of a movement to engage elite athletes in civic service in their local communities. Valaas volunteers with a 5th and 6th grade classroom in Anchorage, AK where she trains with the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Club. “If I can inspire even one of the students I'm working with to pursue his or her passion and reach his or her potential I'll be content that being a ski racer is a worthwhile career”, says Valaas.
More information about In The Arena can be found at In-The-Arena.org.
