Momentum Camps has revealed the winners of the “Spirit of Sarah” scholarships for its Summer 2016 ski camps. The two scholarships, which offer a free session of summer camp, have been donated by former Momentum campers Haynes Gallagher and Tory Gossage, who were also close friends of the late Sarah Burke. This year’s winners are 17-year-old Jackson Parsons and 14-year-old Danny Profitt.
“I emphatically love ski camp,” stated Haynes. “It is simply the best. Sarah also loved camp and it was a blessing to watch her progress from camper, to Momentum coach, to First Lady of freeskiing during our summers in Whistler. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to share Momentum and Whistler with the next generation of skiers in Sarah’s honor. Congrats to Danny and Jackson.”
“Some of my fondest memories were days spent up on the glacier with Sarah and the rest of our ski family during summer camp,” added Gossage. “It’s a true honor to be able to give someone the opportunity to partake in something that was so important to me and most importantly, to Sarah. Sarah lived her life giving back to others. It was inspiring to watch. I think we all feel a sense of responsibility to pay it forward in her honor. I know this would make her smile.”
If this story doesn’t brighten your day, we’re not sure what will. Cheers to Gallagher and Gossage for their kind donation, and have a blast at summer camp, Jackson and Danny. Sarah is surely smiling at this moment.
For more information, see the press release below.
Press Release:
Momentum Camps is happy to announce the winners of two additional ‘Spirit of Sarah’ Scholarships for its Summer 2016 ski camps. The two new scholarships, which offer a free Full Package Camp with a value of over $2,500 each, have been donated by Haynes Gallagher and Tory Gossage, both former campers and great friends of the late Sarah Burke, who passed away in a tragic ski training accident in 2012.
Camp Director John Smart says, “It’s a generous and very special gift that both Haynes and Tory have offered to further keep Sarah’s memory and spirit alive with this next generation of skiers. Each week during camp we select 2 ‘happy campers’ for what is now called the ‘Sarah Award’. Last summer 8 skiers over the 4 youth sessions where chosen, who showed great sportsmanship, a playfulness and pure love of the sport, all of which were strong characteristics of Sarah’s. After much deliberating the coaches selected two of these skiers to receive these additional 2016 scholarships. The decision really came down to asking who would Sarah choose because she wanted them back at camp.”
17-year-old Jackson Parsons, from Port Moody, B.C. and 14-year-old Danny Profitt from Calgary are the lucky winners.
Gallagher and Gossage now both live and work in the fast paced financial scene of New York, far from the mountains, but a reunion with Camp Director John Smart in 2014 sparked the desire to give back and create these additional scholarships to help worthy young skiers.
Haynes says, “I emphatically love ski camp. It is simply the best. Sarah also loved camp and it was a blessing to watch her progress from camper, to Momentum coach, to First Lady of freeskiing during our summers in Whistler. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to share Momentum and Whistler with the next generation of skiers in Sarah’s honor. Congrats to Danny and Jackson.”
Tory adds, “Some of my fondest memories were days spent up on the glacier with Sarah and the rest of our ski family during summer camp. It’s a true honor to be able to give someone the opportunity to partake in something that was so important to me and most importantly, to Sarah. Sarah lived her life giving back to others. It was inspiring to watch. I think we all feel a sense of responsibility to pay it forward in her honor. I know this would make her smile.”
In conjunction with the Sarah Burke Foundation, Momentum’s ‘Spirit of Sarah Scholarship’ has kept Sarah’s memory alive for the past 4 years, by awarding a free camp to an up and coming young female skier. The 2016 ‘Spirit of Sarah Scholarship’ is now open for new applicants. One of the causes dear to Sarah’s heart was encouraging young girls to follow their dreams and believe in their skiing abilities. She inspired so many young women through her incredible skiing talent and strength, but more importantly through her demonstration of modesty, kindness and her wonderful approach to life. Sarah was a camper with Momentum for 4 years and a coach for 11 years.
Momentum runs summer ski camps in Whistler from June 10th – July 18th, for youth and adults, using the world’s top freestyle skiers as coaches.
