Youth Torch Award Winner – Hayden Gitchell

Hayden Gitchell is a promising Vail Valley youth whose leadership skills, entrepreneurial vision, and innovation positively influences his peers, teachers, and community.

Hayden is an Eagle Valley High School Senior and Co-Founder for Apres Tune. In true entrepreneurial style, Hayden and his co-founder, Conner McGillvrey, worked on their idea and learned how to build a business. They networked within the Valley, attended Start-Up week, created a workshop, and acquired staff to launch the Apres Tune business.   The Après Tune shop now features premium quality Wintersteiger and Montana tuning machinery, and is capable of meeting any and all tuning standards. Their services range from basic recreational tuning to complete race tuning, precision stone grinding, belt grinding, edge sharpening & beveling, P-Tex repair and more.  The main value proposition and service differentiation is “pick up & drop off” services.

Hayden is not your average teenager.  He was a promising athlete at SSCV until a severe accident ended his career.  Over the past 2 years he has undergone 8 surgeries including time in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber to save his leg.  This experience only increased his self-awareness and strengthened his drive.  While he misses skiing, Hayden smiles when he recounts conversations he had with former NBA coach of the year George Carl as they both underwent hyperbaric treatment in Denver.

“From a very early age, Hayden has always been the grounded one.” says his father, John Gitchell proudly.

One might also say that Hayden is wise beyond his years.  He is a member of 8150 High Altitude Entrepreneurs and a consummate learner.   He seeks mentors and relationships that will help develop his concepts while he develops the skills to efficiently and effectively run the business.

Hayden is also still a kid at heart. He explores the Colorado terrain with his friends. You may also find them hiking in the mountains or extreme hammocking at his favorite camp spot Lime Creek. We’re pleased to announce that he is making a come back and planning to play on the high school lacrosse in the spring.

Hayden is known for his charismatic personality with both peers and mentors. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in a professional setting, he goes out of his way to support the ideas of others. Hayden is uniquely personable, and can connect with all those around him. At every corner, Hayden overcomes challenges with positivity and resilience. He approaches all problems as hurdles rather than barriers, and has proven time and time again that a positive outlook and motivation can solve nearly all problems one faces. His ability to connect with others to complete tasks makes him a natural leader.