JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club (JHSC) this week announced the Karen Oatey Scholarship Endowment (KOSE), which supports need-based scholarships to local student-athletes competing in winter sports, has recently exceeded $500,000. With the help of Dave Landes, Nancy Leon, and generous supporters, the JHSC fundraised a total of $36,435 at the year’s end, bringing the endowment total to $521,439.
The Karen Oatey Scholarship Endowment was established by Karen’s loving family and honors Karen’s desire to give back to the community while introducing Jackson Hole’s youth to winter sport, and supporting them as they develop their own passions for skiing and snowboarding in the great outdoors.
To assist families in making winter sports a reality, JHSC offers scholarships, which are awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and sportsmanship. Funds are used to ensure that the high cost of skiing and snowboarding does not limit an athlete’s ability to enter and continue with sport. As the endowment grows, JHSC will be able to accommodate the growing need for financial assistance with an increase in the number of scholarships and the amount awarded to athletes each year.
The Karen Oatey Scholarship Endowment was founded in 2015 in order to support the growing financial needs of JHSC student-athletes. From this endowment, there is an annual disbursement of 4% that is awarded to kids in financial need. JHSC awards approximately $115,000 in scholarships annually and hopes the endowment will grow to $2.5M at which point the endowment will fully cover need-based scholarships.
Each year, the Rendezvous River Sports Pole Pedal Paddle event, hosted by the JHSC, supports the endowment in its fundraising efforts. In addition, Skinny Skis has generously donated 10% of the proceeds during their Anniversary Celebration in which proceeds have benefited the KOSE for the past two years totaling $11,537.
“Reaching our goal’s ‘halfway mark’ is an exciting milestone for the JHSC, and for the many families it will impact 2022 and beyond,” said development director Brittney Ziebell. “We’re so grateful for the support from Karen’s family and friends, and all the endowment supporters the past 6 years.”
