Bailey Kurtz and Vivian Cunningham of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation are the inaugural recipients of the Bob Rosso Scholarship Fund, created in honor of Bob Rosso by the Boulder Mountain Tour in February 2023. Establishing the fund coincided with the Tour’s 50th anniversary, an event Bob helped organize in 1973 and has been a staunch supporter of ever since.
“If you reflect on all the wonderful people, events, and institutions within our community, one of the common denominators is Bob Rosso. Simply by being his energetic, enthusiastic, and encouraging self, Bob has markedly improved the lives of those around him,” BMT Executive Director Jody Zarkos said.
“The BMT board and I wanted a way to recognize Bob as well as perpetuate all the amazing qualities he has. We were looking for kids with enthusiasm for cross-country skiing, respect for their teammates and coaches, a desire to improve the lives of those around them, and a great love of the outdoors.”
SVSEF coaches recently nominated six candidates that fit the bill: Cameron Gilman, Cal Hebert, Sydney Nelson, Stella St. George, Cunningham, and Kurtz. All six submitted essays to the Rosso Scholarship Committee, composed of BMT Board members, plus Kate and Bob Rosso.
“I really love that we can honor Bob with this scholarship and recognize members of our team for not only being great skiers but great people,” Kelley Yeates, Director of the SVSEF Prep Program, said.
Kurtz, a member of the Prep Progression team, and Cunningham, on Prep, are both students at Wood River Middle School.
“Both are great kids and embody the kind of human we strive to mold on the XC team, much like Bob. They are great teammates, role models, and lifelong lovers of skiing. The first words I think of with both of these skiers and Bob are positivity and passion for skiing,” Yeates remarked.
Rosso Scholarships, paying 50 percent of program tuition, will be presented annually to two Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Prep Cross Country Team members. The Boulder’s goal is to raise $100,000 to fund SVSEF athletes in perpetuity in Bob’s honor is currently 60 percent to goal. This fund is made possible by generous donors, the Rossos, and the BMT Board of Directors and staff.
“We’re honored to be able to give the Bob Rosso Scholarship awards to our first two SVSEF Cross Country Ski Team members and want to extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone in our community who has made this fund possible,” Kate Rosso said. “Thank you!”