Memorial Scholarships Awarded

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.