ZIS Alum Headed to the Olympics

With the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies only 4 days away, we want to celebrate a member of our alumni community as she prepares to compete on sport’s biggest stage.

Sophia Velicer, Class of 2016, is making history as the first Taiwanese woman ever to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games in cross-country skiing, a milestone shaped by dedication, resilience, and courage.

Sophia shared that the moment feels “big and surreal,” and credits the people and experiences along her journey, including ZIS, for helping her navigate uncertainty and step confidently into new challenges. Her former ZIS Coach, Brook Mullens, reflected, “Seeing Sophia grow as an athlete has been inspiring. She has worked incredibly hard, and it’s exciting to watch her race on the Olympic stage.”

We are so proud of you, Sophia, and will be cheering you on!