Scholarship Winners Announced

Tim and Diane Mueller, owners of Okemo Mountain Resort, are pleased to announce the recipients of the Okemo Mountain Scholarship Awards for 2008.

Thirteen scholarships were awarded this year to students who have worked at Okemo or are the dependents of Okemo employees. Criteria used to select the scholarship recipients included academic achievement, co-curricular involvement and the composition of an essay.

"Education is the cornerstone of our future," says Diane Mueller. "Tim and I wholeheartedly support the Okemo Scholarship Program as a way to contribute to the community and to assist young scholars as they embark on educational endeavors that will hopefully lead them back home again so they can lead full lives and improve the community for their own children."

The 2008 Okemo Scholarships were awarded to students who were either employees of the resort or dependents of resort employees. Two memorial scholarships and three "creative endeavors" scholarships were also awarded.


Okemo Mountain Employee Scholarships

Jenna Berger, of North Springfield, Vt., worked at Okemo as a recreation attendant. She graduated from Black River High School and plans to pursue a course of studies in aeronautical or chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Benjamin Bolaski, of Springfield, Vt., worked at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn as a bellman and a valet. He graduated from Springfield High School and plans to earn a degree in environmental studies at Plymouth State University, in N.H.

Aemelia Thompson, of Springfield, Vt., has worked at Okemo as a cashier and a restaurant busser. She plans to study graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art, in Boston. David Thompson, Aemelia’s father, is Okemo’s manager of lift operations.

Sasha Yakovleff, of Alstead, N.H., graduated from Vermont Academy in Saxtons River and is embarking on her second year at the University of New Hampshire as a recreation management major. Sasha has worked as an Okemo ski instructor for four winter seasons.

Okemo Mountain Employee Dependent Scholarships

Julie Davis, of Evanston, IL, is attending Northwestern University, where she is pursuing a dual degree in music education and arts policy. Julie plays the violin and hopes to share her passion for string instrumental music with grade-school children. Julie is the daughter of Okemo Safety Ambassador Lee Davis, who has been with the resort for six seasons.

Bruce Davis, also a dependent of Okemo Safety Ambassador Lee Davis, is pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the long term, Bruce hopes to work as a program manager for NASA.

Anne Paterson, of Chatham, N.J., is the daughter of Okemo Ski Patroller Joy Paterson. Anne is attending the University of Vermont, where she is studying environmental science and French. Her future goals include helping people and joining the Peace Corps.

Ian Rebhan, of Ludlow, Vt., is the son of Todd Rebhan, who works on the race crew and has been with Okemo for 20 years. Ian recently graduated from Black River High School and is planning to attend Ithaca College to pursue a course of studies in sport media.

Okemo Memorial Scholarships

Daniel Sonshine, of Ludlow, Vt., is this year’s recipient of the John F. Mueller Scholarship Award. Formed by the Okemo Mountain Resort staff in memory of Dr. Mueller, this award is given to a student employed by Okemo or Mount Sunapee Resort, who is pursuing a career in medicine. Daniel is a graduate of Brown University and has worked as a ski patroller at Okemo. He plans to attend medical school in the fall and hopes to return to Vermont as a physician one day.

Daniel Dockum, of Ludlow, Vt., is the recipient of the Thomas Croney Scholarship. Presented to a student pursuing a career in a technical field and given in the memory of Tom Croney, this scholarship recognizes an Okemo employee who sets an example through his dedication to the resort and its guests. Daniel is a graduate of Black River High School and plans to complete the Vermont Electrical School Apprentice Program offered through Vermont Technical College and the State of Vermont. Daniel worked in Okemo’s electrical department last winter.

Okemo Creative Endeavors Scholarships

Hannah Fishman, of Amherst, Mass., will be attending the Tufts Summit Program. The course in international relations and French includes a month-long visit with a host family in Talloires, France. Hannah worked at Okemo as a Learning Center snowboard instructor.

Kyla Loso, of Mount Holly, Vt., is participating in a program called Experiment in International Living, which includes a journey to China to experience the diverse cultural aspects of that country. Kyla worked as a barista in Okemo’s Roundhouse base lodge last winter.

Rowland Pollard, of Proctorsville, Vt., will be spending the next year living and studying in India as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Rowland worked as an Okemo ski technician and has been with the resort for three winter seasons.

Congratulations!