Alumni Spotlight: Graland Athletics
As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Fieldhouse, the alumni office would like to highlight several former students (Ali Levy ’00, Alex Smith ’97, Jonathan Vaughters ’88) whose journeys in the areas of sports, athletics, and health & wellness started right here at Graland. We hope that their pursuits and experiences serve as inspiration to fellow alumni, current students, and the entire Graland community.
Ali Levy ’00
Ali Levy’s athletic and professional career was shaped in many ways by her time at Graland. A 2000 graduate, Levy continued to ski competitively throughout high school and ultimately earned her spot on the U.S. Ski Team in December of 2003. As a member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, she competed at the World Cup level and was crowned 2x North American Cup Grand Prix Champion. After finishing her ski career in 2005, Levy obtained a bachelor’s in geography from Middlebury College and a master’s in sport psychology and counseling from Boston University.
Following graduate school, Levy held key roles at Lululemon and Spartan Race prior to landing at O2X Human Performance, where she is the director of education. Currently, she works with leading researchers and experts around the country to create tailored, integrated programs to meet the unique demands facing tactical athletes and elite organizations.
In 2015, Levy was inducted into the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Hall of Fame and Wall of Excellence. Levy still enjoys skiing and now fuels her athletic spirit with endurance sports, including completing a 1,100-mile cycling trip and multiple 50-mile ultramarathons.
Alex Smith ’97
Alex Smith graduated from Graland in 1997. Following his time at Graland, he attended Mullen High School, where he was recruited for football at numerous Division I programs, ultimately attending Stanford University on a full scholarship. An accomplished student-athlete, Smith graduated from Stanford University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and entered the NFL as a third-round draft selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a successful 11-year football career in the NFL, Smith retired as a professional athlete and joined the front office staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a pro scout in 2016. Smith is currently pursuing a master’s in business from Indiana University and is presently the assistant director of pro scouting with the Buccaneers.
Jonathan Vaughters ’88
Jonathan Vaughters, a 1988 Graland graduate, attended Cherry Creek High School before obtaining his bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado-Denver and his master’s degree at the University of Denver. His cycling journey began at the age of 13, ultimately making his professional debut in Spain in 1994. Throughout his professional career, Vaughters cycled for prestigious teams, including the U.S. Postal Service, Credit Agricole, and Prime Alliance, achieving career highlights such as the U.S. time trial championship in 1997, a team time trial victory in the Tour de France in 2001, and stage wins in the Dauphine Libere in 1999 and 2000.
In 2009, Vaughters assumed the role of president of the International Association of Professional Cycling Groups (AIGCP). During this time, he found success in mediation, most notably between the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), as they worked to come to an agreement regarding the Tour de France. Additionally, Vaughters was a key player in the establishment of clear Tour de France participation rules and advocating for increased compensation for cyclists. Taking the helm at Slipstream Sports in 2005 as CEO, Vaughters spearheaded cutting-edge anti-doping policies, later adopted by the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency. In 2018, Vaughters assumed the role of CEO at EF Pro Cycling.
Questions with Ali, Alex and Jonathan
How did your time at Graland and in Graland’s athletic program shape you into the person and professional you are today?
Ali: “My time at Graland was instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my life. While at Graland, the faculty and staff played key roles in teaching me the importance of work ethic, determination, and positive mentorship. The teachers and projects taught me to approach challenges with a growth mindset, to view things through a lens of curiosity and continuous learning, and always to strive to make a positive contribution to my community.”
Alex: “Graland’s athletic program allowed me to try various sports: soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, which aided my overall athletic development. I gained the knowledge associated with teamwork and fair play. I learned never to give up and always put forth my best effort. I was able to translate that knowledge into the academic program, which was very rigorous and totally prepared me for high school and college.”
Jonathan:“I wasn’t a very athletic kid, which is ironic considering the direction of my life. However, I have very strong memories of Mr. Petitt, our gym teacher, who always pushed and encouraged me in athletics, even if I wasn’t particularly talented.”
Ali: “Critical thinking is a guiding principle I strive to live out daily. Graland taught me valuable lessons about thinking through complex problems, seeking information, and making educated decisions. In my professional career, I work with clients to help identify challenges and create solutions, enabling them to create sustainable lifestyle and performance improvements so they can finish their careers as strong as they started. This is a role that I would not be able to fill without critical thinking.”
Alex: “Pursuing excellence in whatever you’re doing was consistently messaged to me at home and at Graland. I strongly believe in excelling academically, athletically, and professionally and not being content to get by.”
Jonathan: “Celebrate perseverance. As I mentioned, I was not a natural athlete. For me to become a professional athlete and guide professional athletes now, perseverance is the most important trait to have. Bike racing, unlike most sports, is not a scenario where one team wins and the other loses. Rather, one team wins, and 21 teams lose. You have to pick yourself up after losing, over and over again. That’s perseverance.”
Ali: “My advice is to work hard and get frustrated, and know it’s okay to ask for help when needed. The teachers and staff you have now are the ones who will help shape the way you problem-solve, and will provide the tools you need to succeed throughout the rest of your education. You get to do so many great projects at Graland, go on amazing trips, and learn from incredible people. Make sure to enjoy them and have fun!”
Alex: “Always put your best foot forward. You are the only thing stopping you from achieving everything you want in life. If you fall, keep picking yourself back up. The worst thing you can do is quit on yourself or your teammates.”
Jonathan: “Everything big starts with really small steps. I think in our age of being able to access so much information via social media, the world looks like a place where, in 15 seconds, you can become an expert at anything. The reality is far from that. Big dreams take patience and stubbornness and a willingness to take the first small step, even if it’s not very Instagram worthy.”
How did your time at Graland and in Graland’s athletic program shape you into the person and professional you are today?
Ali: “My time at Graland was instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my life. While at Graland, the faculty and staff played key roles in teaching me the importance of work ethic, determination, and positive mentorship. The teachers and projects taught me to approach challenges with a growth mindset, to view things through a lens of curiosity and continuous learning, and always to strive to make a positive contribution to my community.”
Alex: “Graland’s athletic program allowed me to try various sports: soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, which aided my overall athletic development. I gained the knowledge associated with teamwork and fair play. I learned never to give up and always put forth my best effort. I was able to translate that knowledge into the academic program, which was very rigorous and totally prepared me for high school and college.”
Jonathan:“I wasn’t a very athletic kid, which is ironic considering the direction of my life. However, I have very strong memories of Mr. Petitt, our gym teacher, who always pushed and encouraged me in athletics, even if I wasn’t particularly talented.”
Which Graland guiding principle do you relate to the most? How do you still live it out to this day?
Ali: “Critical thinking is a guiding principle I strive to live out daily. Graland taught me valuable lessons about thinking through complex problems, seeking information, and making educated decisions. In my professional career, I work with clients to help identify challenges and create solutions, enabling them to create sustainable lifestyle and performance improvements so they can finish their careers as strong as they started. This is a role that I would not be able to fill without critical thinking.”
Alex: “Pursuing excellence in whatever you’re doing was consistently messaged to me at home and at Graland. I strongly believe in excelling academically, athletically, and professionally and not being content to get by.”
Jonathan: “Celebrate perseverance. As I mentioned, I was not a natural athlete. For me to become a professional athlete and guide professional athletes now, perseverance is the most important trait to have. Bike racing, unlike most sports, is not a scenario where one team wins and the other loses. Rather, one team wins, and 21 teams lose. You have to pick yourself up after losing, over and over again. That’s perseverance.”
What advice do you have for current Graland students?
Ali: “My advice is to work hard and get frustrated, and know it’s okay to ask for help when needed. The teachers and staff you have now are the ones who will help shape the way you problem-solve, and will provide the tools you need to succeed throughout the rest of your education. You get to do so many great projects at Graland, go on amazing trips, and learn from incredible people. Make sure to enjoy them and have fun!”
Alex: “Always put your best foot forward. You are the only thing stopping you from achieving everything you want in life. If you fall, keep picking yourself back up. The worst thing you can do is quit on yourself or your teammates.”
Jonathan: “Everything big starts with really small steps. I think in our age of being able to access so much information via social media, the world looks like a place where, in 15 seconds, you can become an expert at anything. The reality is far from that. Big dreams take patience and stubbornness and a willingness to take the first small step, even if it’s not very Instagram worthy.”
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
