Scholarship Info

As one of OMARA’s primary purposes and member benefits, we are proud to offer $10,000 in scholarships, annually, to our athletes to help offset the many costs associated with training, traveling, and competing in Alpine Racing, Freestyle Skiing, and Snowboarding.
$4,000 goes directly to Okemo Mountain School’s annual scholarship fund. The other $6,000 is divided between two types of scholarships, listed below — there are seven merit-based scholarships, for which coaches nominate an athlete and our scholarship committee selects the recipient; there are also four need-based scholarships available — we do not currently ask for or evaluate financial statements for these, but rather require a formal letter of request by the parent and an essay written by the athlete. Please see individual scholarship criteria below as well as application materials for need-based scholarships.
>> If you are a business — or even an individual — who would like to donate annually to a scholarship named in your honor, please contact Wendy Neal, wneal@okemo.com

Merit Based Scholarships:

BUD MCKEON SCHOLARSHIP
Bud McKeon, a lawyer from CT, donated valuable hours of his time coaching the Fairfield Prep team on the slopes of Wardance. Befriending members of the racing staff he became very involved in the program. He was instrumental in the formation of OMARA as a legal 501c3 entity and served as the club’s first president. His priority was to ensure local athletes an avenue to obtain equipment and have the ability to participate in the Okemo Program through scholarship grants.
This $500 scholarship is awarded annually to one OMARA athlete who best exhibits sportsmanship in his or her respective discipline, has top competitive results, and is a full-time VT resident.

THE UPTON FAMILY AWARD
Kermit and Jean Upton were involved with the Okemo Jr. Race Program during the 60’s and 70’s. Kermit was a devoted coach and both were very involved with the club at that time. Jean helped many local and out of state athletes pursue higher education by seeking educational/athletic grant money. They were instrumental in club operations and were always there to help, whether on the hill or off.
This $500 scholarship is awarded annually to an OMARA family — both athlete(s) and parents/siblings — who has demonstrated devotion to the events, projects, goals, mission and vision that OMARA holds at its core, through volunteerism and dedication to athletics and academics.

GEORGE WATTS SCHOLARSHIP
George Watts was the second president of OMARA. He was a leader in the movement to form a club, as he felt the staff and athletes needed support beyond what the mountain, at the time, could provide. He and his family were from Massachusetts but were so engrossed in the sport of ski racing that they bought a house and moved here. All three of his children participated in the Okemo Program and later OMS. George was an important factor in the later formation of Okemo Mountain School.
This $500 scholarship is presented to an OMARA member ALPINE RACER who displays a strong work ethic; exemplary character on the hill and in the classroom; maintains a competitive athletic profile and has come up through the OMARA system.

THE FRANK PROVANCE SCHOLARSHIP
Frank Provance is the man responsible for establishing the Okemo Freestyle Program as you know it today. Frank came to the Ludlow area in the midst of a diverse ski-industry career including professional instructor, coach, freestyle competitor, Hart Skis Product manager and rep. He now has four kids in various Okemo Programs, including freestyle, and continues to coach, volunteer for, and promote the Freestyle Program.
This $500 scholarship is presented to an OMARA member FREESTYLE SKIER who displays a strong work ethic; exemplary character on the hill and in the classroom; maintains a competitive athletic profile and has come up through the OMARA system.

ERICA and ETHAN MUELLER AWARD
Erica and Ethan, the children of Okemo Mountain owners Tim and Diane Mueller, were two of the earliest members of the snowboard movement at Okemo and Okemo Mountain School. Erica and her friends were the first freestyle snowboarders to become students at OMS. Ethan was instrumental in the embrace of snowboarding as a sport at Okemo Mountain Resort.
This $500 award is presented to an OMARA member SNOWBOARD athlete who displays a strong work ethic; exemplary character on the hill and in the classroom; maintains a competitive athletic profile and has come up through the OMARA system.

OMARA ALUMNI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
A major belief held by all of Okemo’s coaches is that our athletes, no matter how successful they are in High School, should continue the climb to success in their respective sport upon graduating. Many athletes, whether they have reached the professional level, joined the US Ski Team, or are competing at the collegiate level, come into their own and find some of their greatest successes in their late teens/early twenties. OMARA wishes to stay connected with all of our families, both past and present, and has created this award to honor some of those grads who continue to excel.
This $500 award is presented to an athlete who has been and continues to be an OMARA member; who competes at the collegiate level or is participating at an elite level of USSA skiing or snowboarding; who continues to visit on occasion and assist the Okemo Competition Programs; who continues to excel professionally and/or competitively in their discipline; who sets an example for their peers and those coming up in their shadow; and who exemplifies hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

OMARA NORTHSTAR SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE
The Northstar Scholarship is reserved for one OMARA athlete who not only stands at the top of one’s discipline, but who does everything he or she is able to to help others reach their own personal potential. The recipient of this award award embodies the notions of Team, Success, Leadership, Determination, Perseverance, Tenacity, Compassion for others, and enjoyment of the journey that leads to the TOP. This award, given annually, is for $1,000.

Need-Based Scholarships:

The following four scholarships must be applied for through the form linked at the bottom of this page; we DO NOT ask for nor do we evaluate financial statements in consideration for these awards. Decisions are made based on a parental letter of request and an athlete essay response.

Equipment Purchase Assistance Scholarship — Alpine – $500, given annually, to assist one Alpine Racer in the purchase of his or her equipment for the season. Scholarship is awarded based on the parent letter of request and the athlete essay. Please find application at the bottom of this page.

Equipment Purchase Assistance Scholarship — Freestyle or Snowboard - $500, given annually, to assist one Freestyle Skier OR Snowboarder in the purchase of his or her equipment for the season. Scholarship is awarded based on the parent letter of request and the athlete essay. Please find application at the bottom of this page.

Summer Camp Tuition Assistance Scholarship — Alpine – $500, given annually, to assist one Alpine Racer in attending an-Okemo sponsored Summer training opportunity. Scholarship is awarded based on the parent letter of request and the athlete essay. Please find application at the bottom of this page.

Summer Camp Tuition Assistance Scholarship — Freestyle or Snowboard – $500, given annually, to assist one Freestyle Skier OR Snowboarder in attending an-Okemo sponsored Summer training opportunity. Scholarship is awarded based on the parent letter of request and the athlete essay. Please find application at the bottom of this page.

>> Application for Need-Based Scholarships

*All scholarship recipients must choose one of the four following ways in which to apply their awarded money — 1) As a credit towards Okemo Mountain Competition Program fees; 2) As a credit towards Okemo Mountain School tuition; 3) As a credit towards any local, participating ski or snowboard shop; or 4) As a credit towards any Okemo Mountain School affiliated Summer Training Camp.