In Memory of Deborah Stitt
Eastern Division NSP Women’s Program Mission: To empower patrollers by advancing skills and developing leadership in a women-focused program.
About the Scholarship: The Eastern Division Women’s Program Scholarship was funded anonymously in memory of Western Appalachian patroller Deborah Stitt. Deborah had the opportunity to attend an Eastern Division Patroller School and was empowered to continue with her patrol journey and support other women patrollers in developing their leadership skills within the NSP.
In Deborah’s memory, three (3) $300 scholarships will be awarded annually for the recipient to attend a Division-sponsored Patroller School (Fall or Winter) or Women’s Clinic of their choice. Scholarships will be awarded in two (2) categories:
- A patroller who has never attended a Division-sponsored Patroller School or Women’s Clinic.
- A patroller who has attended Division-sponsored Patroller School or Women’s Clinic previously and aspires to promote the Women’s Program.
Both scholarships may be awarded in one category if there are no applicants in the other category.
Funding: The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, will provide $600 annually each March for the next season’s scholarships. The scholarship program will be self-sustaining and not an endowment. Should other benefactors wish to donate, additional scholarships will be awarded annually.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current and active female members of the Eastern Division National Ski Patrol (NSP). We encourage all active women members to apply no matter the category: Alpine Patrollers, Nordic Patrollers, Patrollers, Young Adult Patrollers, Candidates, and active Alumni.
Patrollers may not be awarded more than one (1) scholarship for each ski season. Patrollers may apply each year for the scholarship, but recipients may not be awarded more than two (2) Eastern Division Women’s Program Scholarships in their patrol career.
I wish to apply for the Scholarship I wish to become a Benefactor …please email the Women’s Program Supervisor
Advertisement of Scholarship: The scholarship will be advertised each year on the National Ski Patrol Eastern Division Women’s Program Facebook page, the Eastern Division website, patrollerschool.org, and the Summer and Winter Issues of the Trail Sweep if publishing dates permit. In addition, an email blast will be sent to the Region Directors to pass along to their patrollers.
Application and Selection Process: Applications will be available online using the green button above. Applications may be submitted anytime and will be held for awarding by March 15 of every ski season.
Recipients will be selected based on what they wish to gain by attending a women-focused event, how they will encourage and develop other women at the local mountain and region, and how patrolling has influenced them.
Selection will be completed by a committee comprised of a minimum of three (3) of the Eastern Division Women’s Program Region Advisors. The Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor will not be a selection committee member. When reviewed by the selection committee, all applications will be blinded, and only the Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor will know the patroller’s personal information.
Selected recipients will be notified via email and phone by the Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor by April 1. Those not chosen for the current year will be notified by April 15. Recipients who consent will have their likeness added to the National Ski Patrol Eastern Division Women’s Program Facebook page and the Eastern Division Trail Sweep.
Scholarship Award: Recipients may register for the Division-sponsored Patroller School or Women’s Clinic of their choice in the current ski season. Eligible Patroller Schools will also include the Fall Patroller Schools held each August or September following the current ski or upcoming season. Recipients will need to notify the Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor of their event choice no later than December 31 after the scholarship is awarded.
Recipients must register and attend the event prior to receiving the scholarship. When possible, the scholarship will be awarded during the event to the recipient. Scholarship funds may be used towards the registration fee, lodging, tickets, meals, and mileage.
In the event of a program cancelation, the recipient can carry the scholarship over to the next ski season.
Attendee Experience: To continue the enhancement of the Eastern Division Women’s Program, scholarship recipients will be encouraged to share their experiences, what they learned and what the Women’s Program can do better. Comments or interviews may be shared on the National Ski Patrol Eastern Division Women’s Program Facebook page with the recipient’s consent.
Record Keeping: All applications will be kept on file for up to seven (7) years. A historical roster of scholarship recipients will be kept on file indefinitely. Records will be maintained by the Eastern Division Women’s Program Supervisor.
For more information on the Eastern Division Women’s Program on Facebook.
