YAP Summit Scholarship
New Process – New Timeline
Yes, fall has just begun – fall sports, band, pumpkin spice, and refreshers. Who is thinking about March and the Summit?
Now is the time to consider attending the YAP Summit in March 2027, scheduled for Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, and to apply for a YAP Summit Scholarship.
The YAP Summit Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from MaryLyn and Greg Boberg of Holimont and Holiday Valley Ski Patrols, respectively, as well as the Eastern Division. The intent of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to those students/families who show a need for this support.
The scholarship application process will begin on October 15, 2026, and close on January 15, 2027. Note: This is NOT the same timeline for registering for the YAP Summit. The application will be available on PatrollerSchool.org and MUST be completed “online!” It will be handled electronically; no more emailed applications. “Letters of Recommendation” are required and will be submitted separately by the recommending individual.
With this new process, YAPS can apply for a scholarship before registering for the Summit event. Once the application process is completed and all three requirements are submitted, they can then register for the Summit and will not need to pay the registration fee at the time of registration. Once the YAP scholarships are awarded, those recipients’ registrations will be automatically completed and considered paid in full. Those not awarded will then get a chance to complete payment. This timeline allows for the scholarship review committee to assess submissions and make recommendations BEFORE the Summit event registration deadline.
Please contact your YAP Region Advisor with any questions and keep an eye out for e-blasts relating to the YAP Summit and any other YAP-related information. If you have a financial need and wish you to apply for the YAP Scholarship, please click this button:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avery Laitala
Cooper Biersbach
Lauryn Constantineau
Joseph Brodsky
Joanna Eckhardt
Kathleen Knefley
