Newark elementary school students hit the slopes, learn to ski

Dozens of Newark students from Hawkins Street Elementary School received a lesson in skiing Thursday thanks to a special program.
The National Winter Activity Center on Breakneck Road in Vernon Township is a nonprofit organization that takes children from across the tri-state area and teaches them about winter sports. The organization will service 1,600 children this season.
“My story is not unlike theirs. I grew up in the Bronx, the projects. My sport of choice at that time was basketball,” says President and CEO Schone Malliet.
This was the first time on skies for many of the children.
"I'm scared because I never went skiing and I might be afraid of high mountains,” one student told News 12 New Jersey.
But other students took to the sport like naturals.
Thursday was the first lesson for Hawkins Street Elementary School students. They will be returning to Vernon to get about four more lessons.