Meet the 2011 EYC Staff

As the EYC grows its membership and lesson enrollment, we continue to grow our staff.  We are fortunate in 2011 to have seventeen talented and hardworking staff, both full time (senior) staff and part time (junior) staff.  They are the most experienced and qualified EYC staff ever.

Introducing the 2011 EYC staff:

Ben Schallip is the EYC’s Director of Administration, in charge of day-to-day management of the EYC’s programs, equipment and facilities.  Ben is a 2011 graduate of Miami University (Ohio), and will begin law school at the University of Minnesota this fall.  This is Ben’s third summer working at the EYC.  He started sailing at his family’s Michigan summer cottage, joined the Miami U. sailing team, and that led to employment at the EYC.  Ben has a US Sailing Level I instructor certification and also has a 50-ton Master’s license (with sailing endorsement) from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Alex Zalar is the EYC’s Education Director, in charge of all aspects of the EYC’s lesson program and teaching staff.  Alex, a career educator from Toledo, OH, holds a B.S. in Math Education from Miami University (Ohio).  Alex plans to teach high school math this fall at Toledo Christian Schools, and is also working on a Master’s degree.  This is Alex’s fourth summer at the EYC and his second summer as a Director.  Alex is Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing.  Alex loves inspiring EYC juniors to sail for the rest of their lives.  Alex was on the Miami U. sailing team, has raced in the Intercollegiate Sloop Championships and the NOOD, and looks forward to his first Hundred-Miler race later this month.

Olivia Demarinis, a Senior Instructor, will be a sophomore this fall at UW-Madison.  Olivia was born and raised in Door County and lives in Ephraim.  This is her fourth year working at the EYC.  She is a graduate of the EYC’s lesson program and is both Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing.  Olivia’s favorite aspect of working at the EYC is that it is such a welcoming community and at the same time a close-knit family.

Bryn Dyar, a Senior Instructor, will be a senior at Miami University (Ohio) in the fall.  Bryn is from Darien, Connecticut.  This is her second year working at the EYC.  She is certified as a Level I and Level II instructor by US Sailing.  Bryn loves working at the EYC because everybody is so hospitable and friendly.  Bryn grew up sailing at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, Connecticut in its junior sailing program (on Optimists, 420s, Lasers and Blue Jays) and with her father on his Thistle.  She also sailed for her high school’s sailing team for four years and on Miami University’s sailing team for three years.

Woody Heidler, a Senior Instructor, is in his fourth summer working at the EYC.  Woody will be a sophomore this fall at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.  Woody, from Hinsdale, Illinois, grew up in the EYC’s sailing program and received his EYC Skipper’s License on August 19, 2003.  Woody is Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing.  Woody likes to go sailing with his dog on his family’s Hobie Cat.   His favorite thing about being an EYC instructor is being able to bring the joy of sailing to so many students.

Isak Peterson, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a Senior Instructor.  This is his third summer working at the EYC.  Isak has his Level  I and Level II instructor certification from US Sailing.  He will be a sophomore at UW-Stout this fall.  Isak learned to sail in the EYC’s Optimists and enjoys sailing on his family’s Beneteau First 38 and racing in the EYC’s series races and annual regatta.  When he and his brother Stefan were younger, they would ride under the bow of their parents’ Flying Scot during races.

This is Senior Instructor Matt Smith’s fifth year working at the EYC.  “Smitty” will be a junior this fall at Loyola University (Chicago).  He is from Kansas City, Missouri and grew up sailing in the EYC’s lesson program.  Matt is certified by US Sailing as both a Level I and Level II instructor.  He enjoys the solidarity among EYC members and the friendships which are formed, and likes to learn more about sailing and teaching every day.

Graham Welch, from Golf, Illinois, is a Senior Instructor.  Although this is Graham’s first year working at the EYC, he is a very experienced instructor, previously having worked as head sailing instructor at the Winnetka Park District.  Graham holds a US Sailing Level I certification.  Graham competed for three years on his high school sailing team, and has raced in a variety of dinghy classes.  Graham will be a junior at Carthage College this fall.  Graham likes being able to sail every day and watching the EYC’s resident muskrat “Milton”.

This is Maura Zingsheim’s third year working at the EYC and her first as a Senior Instructor.  She earned both a Level I and Level II Instructor certification from US Sailing.  Maura is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and will be a freshman this fall at Southern Methodist University.  Like her twin brother Murphy, she is a graduate of the EYC’s lesson program.  She likes to work with EYC juniors, who are excited to learn and have a good time.

Like his twin sister Maura, this is Murphy Zingsheim’s third year at the EYC and first year as a Senior Instructor.  He holds both Level I and Level II certifications from US Sailing.  Murph will be a freshman at Lehigh University this fall.  In addition to his teaching duties, Murph is also the EYC’s go-to person for boat repairs.

Alden Crowe is a Junior Instructor from Summerland, California.  He will be a senior at the Eureka School this fall.  This is Alden’s second year teaching at the EYC.  He is certified by US Sailing as both a Level I and Level II instructor.  Alden began sailing on his family’s Hobie Cat and took lessons at the EYC before becoming an instructor.  In addition to his teaching duties, Alden runs most of the EYC’s races.  He likes the EYC’s cheerful atmosphere and enjoys teaching.

Junior Instructor Erica Heidler will be a junior at Hinsdale Central High School.  She lives in Hinsdale, Illinois.  This is her first year working at the EYC.  She is a US Sailing Level I certified instructor.  Erica is a longtime sailor on her family’s various sailboats, including a Flying Scot and a Hobie Cat.  She likes working at the EYC because of the level of responsibility the EYC gives her.

This is Junior Instructor Charlotte Johnson’s first year working at the EYC.  Charlotte is from Santa Monica, California, where she will be a senior this fall at Santa Monica High School.  She is US Sailing Level I certified.  She likes teaching family members how to sail and meeting new people at the EYC.

Peter Moegenburg is a Junior Instructor from Elm Grove, Wisconsin.  This is his third summer working at the EYC.  Peter will be a freshman at Cornell University in the fall.  He is both Level I and Level II certified by US Sailing.  Peter grew up sailing at the EYC and likes teaching on Eagle Harbor, racing, and sailing his JY-15.

J.R. O’Rourke is a Junior Instructor from Park Ridge, Illinois, where he will be a junior at Maine South high school.  This is his first year working at the EYC.  J.R. began sailing when he was four years old on Lake Delavan, Wisconsin.  He is a US Sailing Level I certified instructor.  J.R. likes how everyone at the EYC acts like family to each other.

Junior Instructor Stefan Peterson, a native of Milwaukee, will be a sophomore at Nicolet High School.  This is his first year working at the EYC.  He enjoys helping students and other members and sailing on his family’s sailboat, a Beneteau First 38 named “Charette”.  Stefan has been racing sailboats since he was 8 years old.

Brian Ritter, a Junior Instructor, will be a junior at Glenbard West High School this fall.  He is from Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  This is Brian’s first year as an EYC instructor.  Brian is a certified US Sailing Level I instructor and likes that he has so many opportunities to race at the EYC.