Tasha Zigerelli, a junior at Costanoa High School, is the recipient of the 2010 Matt's Climb Scholarship. Tasha will use her award to participate in a 16-day whitewater rafting course in Utah. "I've never done anything like this before," Tasha said. "I'm really looking forward to it. I know I'll carry this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with me forever." Tasha volunteers at the American Red Cross–Santa Cruz County Chapter and hopes she can one day work on a disaster relief crew.

 The Scholarship

The scholarship provides for a high school student, who is or will be sixteen years of age on July 1 of the year of the award, to attend an outdoor wilderness porgram through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), based in Laramie, Wyoming.

The award is for up to $4,200 for tuition costs, with an additional $600 for travel expenses. Any other expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.

NOLS offers courses throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Southwest and is considered to be one of the top organizations offering leadership training through outdoor adventures for young people.

Background

Matthew Kennedy, who graduated from Santa Cruz High School, was killed in a snowmobile accident in February 2001. In his memory, his family established the Matt’s Climb Scholarship to provide opportunities for students to experience the outdoor adventure sports that Matt so enjoyed.  

"We want the Matt's Climb Scholarship to really be a turning point for some young person, someone who would ordinarily never be able to participate in a wilderness experience."                                                      – Eliza Livingston, Matthew Kennedy's grandmother

 For More Information

E-mail Robin Larsen or call her at 477-0800 ext. 208.

Applications are no longer being accepted for 2010 awards.

From the applications received by March 26, 2010, one scholarship will be awarded to be used toward tuition costs to attend a 14-30 day wilderness experience with the