submitted by Margo Caulfield
The McCostis Scholarship Fund (MSF), a part of the Ludlow Teen Center (LTC), was established in 2004, to provide Okemo Valley youth an opportunity to pursue excellence through skiing and snowboard training. Started by Sue McCostis, an LTC Board member and an Okemo Mountain ski instructor, the fund was continued by her husband Dick McCostis, Safety Ambassador and ski instructor at Okemo Mountain, and head of the Windsor County Court Diversion Program. With his passing in July 2007, the MSF has continued through the support of friends and the Okemo community. The Fund has added two additional scholarships this past year.
The Kevin Stillwell Snowboarding Scholarship will be given for the first time this winter in memory of Kevin Stillwell, a member of the first Black River High School snowboard team. Kevin died last summer at 25 from diabetes complications. As his mother Sue said, “We would have liked to have sent Kevin to OMS but we couldn’t afford it. Maybe now other kids can have that advantage through this scholarship.”
The Peter Noyes Skiing Scholarship will also be awarded for this first time this coming winter. In memory of Pete Noyes, an avid Okemo skier, his wife, Joan Noyes, was an instructor at Snow Stars at Jackson Gore.
This past winter, seven local athletes were able to take advantage of training thanks to this fund. Applications for scholarships for athletes who wish to attend snow academies, such as Okemo Mountain School, are now being accepted until June 30.
Applications for weekend programs and target terms will be accepted from September 1-Oct. 31.
Because several of the MSF trustees are involved with mountain first aid, there is recognition that serious competitive athletes need to be trained in basic first aid, concussion management and CPR. MSF athletes, who attend snow academies, will receive training this year. In addition, to assist families in understanding the demands placed on adolescents in snow sports, there will be at least one program for parents this coming winter.
Applicants for the Academy Snow Scholarships must:
• Be a full time resident of Ludlow, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Chester, Perkinsville, Springfield, Mt. Holly or Plymouth VT.
• Be enrolled in grades 5th-12th and in good academic standing
• Have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to skiing or snowboarding
• Parents or guardians are in need of financial support and are supportive of their child’s pursuit of training
• Plan to attend a snow academy full time for at least five months during the 08-09 winter season
The size of scholarships will be based on need and available funds. Academy scholarship recipients, and their families, are required to assist with fundraising. Recipients can increase the amount of their scholarship through participation in fundraising activities.
Those interested in applying must submit a completed application by June 30, 2008. Award notifications will be made by July 15, 2008. Applications can be obtained by e-mailing margoc@tds.net, writing to MSF-LTC, 106 Main St., Ludlow, VT 05149 or by calling 802-226-7807 . Please note: An application is not considered complete until the tax information and letter from the coach/teacher has been received.