Freeride skier Katie Hersom receives adventure scholarship
Flyin Ryan scholarship recipient Katie Hersom. (photo provided)
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation awarded an adventure scholarship to Katie Hersom, 17, who lives in Whitefish and is a senior in high school. She is a competitive freeride skier in her final year competing in IFSA Juniors.
When not skiing, she can be found wake surfing, skateboarding, rock climbing, traveling, with friends and being outdoors as much as possible. Hersom is using her award to help fund her final year with IFSA Jr.
The Flyin Ryan Adventure Scholarship Program exists to provide monetary awards to assist adventurers of all kinds, from all around the world, in pursuing their passions.
Applicants must come up with their own set of core values and demonstrate character, passion for their goal and financial need.
Hersom’s core values are:
- Love everything you can as much as you can.
- Don't let the worst of you ruin the best of you
- Do not be afraid to care
- Find joy in the little things
- Be kind to the earth
- Change what you can and accept what you can't
- Allow yourself to be yourself
- Use your head to follow your heart
- Smile at strangers
- Don't waste time.
To date, the organization has given out over 160 awards.
The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation was formed in 2011 to extend the impact of the life of Ryan Hawks who, at the age of 25, tragically died while competing on the freeride world ski tour.
Learn more and apply at www.FlyinRyanHawks.org/Adventure-Scholarship-Program/.