South Lake Tahoe, CA – In collaboration with Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, professional snowboarder Jamie Anderson sponsored two young students from her home town this winter season with a “surprise sponsorship”. Anderson awarded two lucky middle school students, 12-year-old Rosa Rosas and Jesus Vazquez-Macias, 13, an Unlimited Sierra Resort season pass, brand new Billabong outerwear, a GNU snowboard, boots and bindings, Electric goggles, and Skullcandy headphones valued at $1,200 each.

Anderson, now 21, was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe and created the Jamie Anderson Surprise Sponsorship to give back to the community and provide less fortunate kids with the opportunity to snowboard. With the help of Dr. James Tarwater, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent, Anderson worked with the school district to identify two students that showed academic promise, good work ethic, and moxie.

“I was so lucky to grow up snowboarding at Sierra, and I want to give that opportunity to others. It also seemed like a great time of the year to spread some holiday cheer and surprise two kids with an entire set up and season pass so that they can ride all season long and hopefully fall in love with snowboarding like I did. It feels awesome!” said Anderson.

On Dec. 21, Dr. Tarwater contacted Jesus and Rosa to share the good news. They both were invited to come up to Sierra Resort with their parents on Christmas Eve to receive their snowboard gear and spend a day on the slopes with the five time Winter X Games medalist. Anderson showed them around the mountain and shared a few snowboarding tips to both novice riders. Introducing these hard-working students to the sport of snowboarding has the potential to open doors for them that may not have opened otherwise.