Christian Kapoukranidis ’17
The Power of Connections
When Christian Kapourkranidis ’17 spotted a St. Johnsbury Academy post on social media, he immediately saw something worth pursuing. As Racing Services – Motocross/Supercross for Alpinestars, he is always scouting emerging talent, but the post highlighting SJA sophomore MaryJane “MJ” Kissinger’s success at the Fox US Open Downhill felt personal. “MJ being so young and doing so well in the Pro Women’s class caught my attention,” Christian says. “I saw someone from my own backyard with incredible potential.”
Now based in Laguna Beach, California, Christian travels roughly 37 weeks a year supporting elite motocross and mountain bike athletes around the world. Though his career is built on global partnerships, its foundation was laid at St. Johnsbury Academy.
As a student, Christian was deeply involved in SJA’s career and technical education programs. “The trades are where I learned the core beliefs I credit for my journey,” he reflects. From studying electricity with Mr. Bugbee to fine woodworking with Mr. Stark, he developed an appreciation for craftsmanship and for “working toward a larger purpose.”
SJA also opened his eyes to the value of a global network. Befriending international students like Codrin Cobzaru ’17 from Romania helped broaden his worldview. “Having someone from a completely different background sitting in the same classroom was an opportunity to better understand the world,” he says.
Christian’s own experience in motocross, along with witnessing the challenges his younger brother faced, motivated him to reach out to MJ in early November 2025. He knew firsthand how difficult it can be to gain national exposure. “I wanted MJ to understand that her resources could be as big as she wanted them to be,” he explains. “She deserves support from someone who has walked a similar path.”
For MJ, the outreach was unexpected. “I had no idea who Christian was or that he even went to SJA,” she says. “I was so excited, it was my very first sponsorship conversation.” That connection quickly grew beyond branding. While Alpinestars provides MJ with professional-grade apparel and protective gear, Christian has also taken on a mentorship role, introducing her to key industry contacts. Those connections led to additional sponsorships with Chromag, Transition Bikes, and Monster Energy.
Alongside Christian’s guidance, MJ benefits from strong support within the Academy. Administrators John Lenzini and Binaca Hanson have played a key role in helping her balance athletics and academics. “It’s been wonderful to support MJ on her journey,” Ms. Hanson says. “She’s as motivated in the classroom as she is on the trails. I always look forward to hearing how her competitions go.”
“The school has allowed me to train for and compete in events that sometimes overlap with the school week for both snowboarding and mountain biking,” MJ adds. “Mr. Lenzini and Ms. Hanson are constantly checking in and offering flexibility. I’m incredibly grateful.” That flexibility allows MJ to manage a demanding training schedule while staying focused on her academics. “I spend most of my time outside school training,” she says. “I’ve had to give up school sports, but I wouldn’t trade it. I’m my happiest when I’m riding.”
The connection has brought both individuals back to their roots. For Christian, who escapes California twice a year for the fresh air of the Northeast Kingdom, it’s a meaningful way to give back. “The Academy acknowledging MJ and sharing her story is the only reason I found her,” he says. “That’s the power of a close-knit community.” MJ finds reassurance in Christian’s long-term perspective. “He told me it wouldn’t matter if I stopped competing after high school or pursued this professionally,” she says. “That meant a lot.”
As MJ looks toward a future that may include freeride teams at Dartmouth or the University of Utah, she carries with her the lessons of this Academy connection and hopes to one day inspire others, just as her role model, professional snowboarder Mia Jones, inspired her. “The power of the SJA network is a long-term investment,” Christian says. “It’s a small community brought together by invisible strings, stretching across the world.”
For MJ, the impact of that connection is simple and profound. When asked what she would say to Christian in one sentence, she replied, “Thank you for supporting me for who I am—not just for my results.”