by Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Awards Supervisor | Sep 16, 2025 | Division News, Program News
Often, patrol directors and awards advisors don’t think about awards until just before a patrol event or as an award deadline is approaching. Don’t wait until the last minute to think about awards. The time to start working on awards is now, before the snow flies.
Trouble finding forms to nominate an NSP member for an award?
1. Go to NSP.org and sign in
2. Go to RESOURCES/DOCUMENT LIBRARY
3. Click on AWARDS
4. Find the appropriate form you need.
To review awards available and a brief description of each:
1. Go to NSPeast.org.
2. Click on AWARDS and scroll to review all the awards.
On this site you will also find descriptions and forms for Eastern Division’s Patriot Star and Patroller Achievement Award.
Once the sponsor writes the initial nomination, it’s best to send it to your Region Awards Advisor for review. They are listed on the Awards page. He/she can then forward it to attain the signatures needed.
by Grant Fullman, Division Director | Sep 13, 2025 | Division News
Earlier this month I instructed at a local OEC Instructor Refresher – something I’ve done in September for many years, but this one was particularly memorable.
To start the day, I was honored to present the Eastern Division and National Outstanding Alumni Awards to Roberta Fox, whose 50+ years of NSP service, and decades of leadership as an OEC Instructor, Instructor Trainer, and Senior OEC Trainer/Evaluator are legendary. Roberta continued in all these roles as an Alumni member without skipping a beat and received a Purple Merit Star for saving a life – proving the immense value of our skills and experience even when no longer actively patrolling.
Roberta and I share a special connection because 31 years ago I was lucky enough to be one of the candidates in the first OEC course she led as the Instructor of Record. At the time, I had no idea how fortunate I was to have had such an outstanding instructor!
L-R: ENY RD Jim Marco, EDiv Dir. Grant Fullman, Roberta Fox
Throughout the rest of the day, I had the additional privilege to work with a 15-year-old YAP Candidate named Ben, who served as a patient at our lower extremity injury station. Ben was packaged with various traction splints and backboarded at least ten times during the refresher – always with a smile and definitely learning from each cycle!
Roberta and Ben give us confidence in what we can accomplish in the NSP, and how bright our future can be if we seize the opportunities.
OEC Refresher Season and 7th Edition Textbook
This year’s Cycle C OEC refresher has been very well received. Don’t expect to fly through the online refresher modules at the last minute, as they are rich in content and professionally delivered. Work on OEC 7th Edition is underway by a National team, with a Spring 2027 target launch.
NSP National Board Elections
Six candidates from the Eastern, Central, and Pacific Northwest Divisions including our National Chair, Rich Pietrafesa (running for his second 3-year term), are running for four National Board of Directors seats this year. Please look for links to online candidate forums on September 22 and October 5; both sessions will be recorded, so you can view them at your convenience if you miss the live show.
Most of all, please make sure you vote in the election. Voting runs from October 15 until December 1, and we need a strong turnout to ensure we are well represented on the National Board. If you would like some advice on this, please ask your Region Director (or me) as the Eastern Division Board plans to endorse a slate of recommended candidates after the forums are complete.
Have a wonderful fall season. There’s a chill in the air and some of the trees are already in full fall colors here in North Creek! Miss Kitty is looking ahead to her big time, so let’s do the same and be ready when the snow flies! Enjoy every day!
by Harriet Frawley, Memorial/Scholarship Advisor | Sep 13, 2025 | Division News, Program News
As students return to their studies this fall, please join me in congratulating our 2025 David J. Nelson Memorial Scholarship recipients. Your generous donations to the Memorial Fund allowed us to award seven scholarships and two honorable mentions at this year’s Spring Officer’s Meeting.
$1,250 SCHOLARSHIPS
Ian Campbell, Belleayre/SNY
A recent graduate of Xavier High School in NYC, Ian was a leader of Xavier’s Jr. ROTC Regiment, served as Vice-Captain of a competitive fitness team – the Xavier Raiders, and was VP of the Rock Climbing Club. He also volunteered at Mercy Center in the Bronx, providing one-to-one English and math tutoring to elementary school students. Academically, he’s explored his varied interests by participating in summer programs like Worldstrides Biotechnology at UCSD, the Veritas AI Scholars program and Cooper Union’s Sustainable Building Materials Program. Ian plans to study Engineering at Dartmouth where he looks forward to joining the Dartmouth Ski Patrol.
Greta Marino, Swain/Genesee Valley
Greta is a sophomore BSN Nursing Student at Binghamton University. A third-generation patroller, she patrols at Swain along with 
her mother and grandfather. Named Genessee Valley’s Outstanding Young Adult Patroller in 2023, Greta’s completed the training necessary to become an OEC Instructor. At Binghamton University, she’s a member of the Student Nursing Association, the Outdoors Club and the Ski Club. Greta has a deep personal connection to pediatric oncology nursing, having lost a close friend to childhood cancer. Greta feels that drawing on experiences as a children’s softball coach throughout high school and as a patroller will help her develop skills to provide attentive and compassionate care. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner.
Emma Watermann, Oak Mountain/ENY
Emma graduated from Broadalbin Perth Jr./Sr. High School where she participated in the A/V Club, Drama Club, Track & Field, New 
Visions Health Careers club and as captain of the ski team. It was through ski racing that she first learned of the opportunity to become a patroller. With a passion for STEM, she is the recipient of the RIT Women in Stem and Howard E. Reese Alumni of the Year scholarships. Recently, as she’s learned more about biology and life sciences, Emma became intrigued in medicine, leading her to take OEC and become a patroller. She says, “Even though this was my first year on patrol, I don’t think I have ever been so happy about a choice I made for myself.” Emma is attending SUNY Polytechnic Institute as a Biology Major on their Pre-Med Track, seeking to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Katherine Tedesco, Holimont/WNY
Kate is a sophomore at Bonaventure University, double majoring in Health Sciences and Philosophy, with a minor in Finance. She 
was inspired by her mother to follow in her footsteps and become a patroller. Kate has completed Sr. OEC, is an OEC Instructor and a secondary on Holimont’s Bike Patrol. In 2024, she received WNY’s George Pfister Memorial Award for OEC Instruction. Initially planning to pursue a career in finance, she says that changed after her first ski patrol incident. While in high school, she attended classes at Buffalo General Hospital, observing surgeries in the OR and spending time in patient care areas. She says, “Seeing healthcare professionals in action and witnessing the impact they had on patients solidified my decision to pursue a medical career. My studies are providing me with a well-rounded perspective on healthcare, the human experience, and the practical aspects of financial decision-making in the field.” She seeks to become a Doctor or Physician Assistant.
Selina Guendel, Belleayre/SNY
Selina is enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist University. She began patrolling as a YAP in 2008, completed Sr. OEC and OET in 2016, and plans to become an OET Instructor and T/E. Selina’s volunteer activities include a Cognitive Loss 
Exercise Group, Diabetic Foot & Footwear Screenings, a Falls Prevention & Group Exercise class, Parkinson’s Stretch Clinic, and athlete fitness screenings for Special Olympics. In her own words, “My growing understanding of the human body and its movement aligns perfectly with my aspiration to become an OET instructor and T/E. I never imagined that my interests in ski patrol and physical therapy would intertwine so seamlessly—beyond addressing injuries! I envision hosting pre-season workouts and hip mobility classes specifically for patrollers and creating a series of educational videos on hip flexibility for sled skills, which I’d love to one day distribute through the NSP.
$500 HONORABLE MENTIONS
Nathaniel Kowaleski, Elk Mountain/EPA
Nate is a sophomore at York College of Pennsylvania studying Civil Engineering. He is joined at Elk by his father, uncle and younger brother. Nate has completed Senior OET. In high school, he was the captain of the Freehold Boro Varsity Swim Team and an NHS member. Nate held various jobs during school breaks, including lifeguarding. Last winter, he worked at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex in Lake Placid on the hill maintenance team. Tasks included snowmaking, event preparations, building venue features such as aerials jumps and preparing the landing hill, and working FIS World Cup events.
Audrey Chagnon, Bousquet/WMASS
Audrey is a 2025 graduate of Wahconah Regional High School. There, she was involved with the school paper and yearbook, was a 
WMASS finalist in varsity track and field and joined the ski team specifically to improve her ski skills for patrolling. Audrey was also president of a club named “No Place for Hate,” which identifies problems in the school and community and explores way to resolve them, offering a safe place for students to reach out to. She also volunteered with the Berkshire Humane Society. She says “I started shadowing ski patrollers during my first season skiing ever. I fell in love and since then it’s been my winter priority.” Audrey is majoring in Finance at Keene State College.
by Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Awards Supervisor | Feb 18, 2025 | Division News, National News
The Eastern Division has an incredibly talented group of patrollers. We are proud that so many were honored with awards this year. This is a list of the awards winners for 2024, including our Eastern Division patrollers who won National Outstanding Awards and the Eastern Division Outstanding Awards winners. The list also includes National and Leadership Commendation Appointments, Distinguished and Meritorious Service, Purple, Blue, Green, and Yellow Merit Stars, Patriot Star, Patroller Cross, and Patroller Achievement Award winners, plus 50-year Lifetime Service Awards.
by Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Awards Supervisor | Jan 18, 2025 | Division News
It’s Eastern Division Outstanding Award nomination season and there are 21 openings to receive those titles. Each “opening” is listed, with a brief list of the requirements, on the Eastern Division webpage under Programs/Awards.
Current nomination forms for Outstanding Patroller or Outstanding Patrol must be downloaded from the NSP website.
Completed nominations are due to the Division Awards Advisor by March 1. Before submission to the Division, the nomination must be submitted and reviewed by the Region Awards Advisor and Region Director. Each region may submit only one name for each category.
The information for the patroller or patrol should include the NSP activities for this season and the last three. Contact your Region Awards Advisor for further details. They even have guides on how to write the nominations.
Remember, ACHIEVEMENTS make strong awards, not only titles! Let’s fill all 21 “Openings” this year!
by Dick Woolf, Telecomm Advisor | Nov 18, 2024 | Spotlight Articles
Richard (Dick) Massucco, a patroller at Stratton Mountain, VT was honored for his 67th year of service to NSP. Division Director Grant Fullman personally presented Dick with his Service Award at Stratton’s refresher held on November 2. At the presentation, Grant commented that he was only three years old when Dick started patrolling!
Dick started on the ski patrol at Otis Ridge in Massachusetts in 1957 and passed his Senior test at Mt. Tom, Holyoke, MA. He skied on the Otis Ridge Patrol in Otis, MA through 1970. Then it was off to Pittsburgh, PA for work and a stint on the Seven Springs Patrol in Champion, PA. In 1972 Dick joined the Stratton Mountain Patrol after meeting a woman who just happened to have a Stratton season pass!
Dick achieved Circle A certification (now AVY I) in 1970, and his Avalanche “rocker” (now AVY II) in 1971 at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. He also completed a Mountaineering course (now MTR I) at Stratton in the early 2000s.
Dick remains active on the patrol, assisting with patient transports and toboggan bag logistics. He is very serious about how toboggan bags are packed and ensures new patrollers “do it right or do it over!”
Congratulations to Dick Massucco for his devotion to the NSP mission.
by Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Awards Supervisor | Dec 16, 2023 | Division News
Sue-Ellen Helmacy, Eastern Division Awards AdvisorThe Eastern Division has an incredibly talented group of patrollers. We are proud that so many were honored with awards this year. This is a list of the awards winners for 2023, including our Eastern Division patrollers who won National Outstanding Awards and the Eastern Division Outstanding Awards winners. The list also includes National and Leadership Commendation Appointments, Distinguished and Meritorious Service, Purple, Blue, Green, and Yellow Merit Stars, Patriot Star, Patroller Cross, and Patroller Achievement Award winners, plus 50-year Lifetime Service Awards.
Minnie Dole Award 2023
2023 National Outstanding Awards
2023 Eastern Division Outstanding Awards
2023 Eastern Division Awards
David J. Nelson Memorial Scholarships 2023
National Appointments 2023
Leadership Commendation Appointments 2023
Distingished Service Award 2023
Meritorius Service Award 2023
Purple Merit Star 2023
Blue Merit Star 2023
Green Merit Star 2023
Yellow Merit Star 2023
Patroller Cross 2023
Patroit Star 2023
Patroller Achievment Award 2023
50-Year National Lifetime Service Award 2023
National Certificate of Appreciation 2023
The process of recognizing dedicated patrollers never stops. The deadline for submitting the 2024 Outstanding Award applications to Eastern Division is March 1st.
by Marty Silverman | Oct 20, 2023 | Division News
Awards are a great way to recognize our patrollers for their outstanding performance and dedication. Yet, many patrols either don’t have an awards advisor or don’t submit awards because they find the award process daunting. Making these five mistakes is the biggest source of frustration to patrol awards advisors, especially new advisors.
1. Waiting until the last minute – The process of writing an NSP award application can be intimidating. It’s easy to put it off until the last minute. Awards have their busy seasons – fall refreshers, spring end-of-season events, and the end of February when the Outstanding awards are due. To be a successful award writer, you need time to prepare, research, and write the award application. The fall and winter are too busy. The best time to start is in the summer when fewer distractions exist. If you have a presentation date in mind, be sure to submit the award application at least 50 days before it’s needed. During the busy award season, it’s a good idea to allow even more time.
Tip: Step one should always be the re-reading of Chapter 12 — the Policies and Procedures (P&P) manual on the NSP.org website to learn the rules and requirements for each award. Step two is to read about the Eastern Division Awards available on the Awards page of NSPEast.org.
2. Trying to do it all by yourself – The research needed to write a successful award application can be intimidating. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. Ask your shift or team supervisors for background information about the nominee. A best friend or spouse can be a great source of information that will help the application stand out among the others. The Outstanding Awards require a lot of information. Recruit a team of 2 to 4 people to help you. Outstanding awards are due no later than March 1st, though some regions have earlier deadlines to allow for review and corrections.
3. Using an out-of-date form – Nothing will stop an award from moving up the line faster than using the wrong application form. Even if you wrote an award recently, always check to make sure you’ve got the most current version. Get the National award forms from the NSP.org Documents page or get Division award forms from the NSPEast.org Awards page every time.
4. Spelling errors – The second fastest thing to kill an award is poor writing and bad spelling. You don’t have to be Hemingway. Just put the facts into a story that’s interesting and compelling. The award application forms don’t have spell check. Nominations must be submitted in WORD format. Write your nomination, spell-check it, then copy and paste it into the form.
Tip: Before starting to fill in the nomination form, put the cursor behind the grey box and click the backspace button twice. This will remove the grey box and make it easier to return to make corrections.
5. Starting with the toughest award first – Everyone wants to go for the gold – Outstanding awards – first. Start with the easier stuff and learn the award process – Years of service, the Patroller Cross for an injured patroller, the Patriot Star for a patroller with military service, and the Patroller Achievement award. Then, move up to Merit Stars, which require more research and documentation.
Outstanding awards are the toughest to write and the least rewarding (pun intended.) We’re lucky to have so many great patrollers in the division. Your nominee could be great, but they are competing with many other wonderful people. I’ve been an award judge. Everyone looks good, so the judge makes the best decision he or she can. If your nominee doesn’t win, don’t be discouraged. Gather more information, rewrite the award, and try again next year.
Should you have any problems or questions, a good source of information is your region awards advisor. You can find a list of advisors and their contact information on the Eastern division website under Programs, Awards.
