Betty Woolsey Merit-based Scholarships (U16 & older)
The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club started the Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment in 1992 in honor of Betty Woolsey. Ms. Woolsey was a member of the 1936 U.S. Women's Olympic Alpine Ski Team and continued her involvement with the U.S. Team as a competitor and as the Captain of the Women's team. The Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment helps to recognize and support personal achievement and the excellence that she exemplifies. The endowment is currently over $100,000. The annual return of this fund, as well as donations to the Annual Scholarship Fund designated for "merit-based scholarships", provides these awards. Merit scholarships are awarded in the Spring after championship events.
Criteria for Merit Scholarships
U16 or older student-athletes or equivalent based on sport (YOB 2008 or earlier)
The general criteria for Merit Scholarships are
Athletic merit in competitive skiing or snowboarding (points, results, strength of competition schedule, invitations to special projects, placement on regional or national teams, etc.) See below for more specific criteria guidelines by sport
2. High level of commitment to excellence in their sport and personal development (including academics)
3. Degree to which athlete represents the mission of the JHSC
4. Adherence to the established JHSC student-athlete Code of Conduct and JHSC core values
Sport-specific Criteria for Funding (from lowest to highest):
Invitation to high performance non-commercial or regional camp/project
Competing in US Junior Nationals or USASA Nationals
Competing in US Nationals
NorAm Level Competition
Placement onto a NCAA Division I Ski Team
World Championships or equivalent
US National Team selection, camps or projects
Merit scholarship applications are assessed based on the level of merit represented according to both the general criteria and the sport-specific criteria, which also take into consideration the depth of the competition field.
To Apply
The annual application deadline for merit-based scholarships is 5PM on the second Friday after spring break. Applicants will be notified of merit scholarship decisions within 30 days. Applicants for Merit Scholarships must submit:
1. A letter of application [500 words or less] explaining:
- Your current accomplishments and your long-term goals
- Your commitment as a student-athlete
- Your commitment to the JHSC mission and values, providing specific examples
2. A budget representing your current expenses and obligations to continue pursuing your goals and how you would intend to use Merit Scholarship funds. Keep in mind that funds may be granted in recognition of an external expense or opportunity, but distributions to merit scholars will be credited to the athlete’s JHSC account and not to third parties.
Please submit your application to Ali Sehnert ali@jhskiclub.org
Award amounts have ranged from $500 to $2,000. The total amount awarded varies year to year dependent upon the level of merit achieved as well as the number of applicants.
Successful applicants will be named a JHSC Merit Scholar. All distributions to Merit Scholars will be credited to the athlete’s JHSC account.
If the Merit Scholar breaches their contract with JHSC, JHSC retains the right to withhold any restricted funds received for that individual and distribute those funds as it sees fit for the best benefit of the organization and its mission.
