2017 SPIRIT OF SARAH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

After much deliberation, the Sarah Burke Foundation and Momentum Ski Camps' 2017 Spirit of Sarah Scholarship has been awarded to 13-year-old Bella Bacon from Ellicottville, New York. Bacon, who is a member of the Holiday Valley Freestyle Team, will enjoy a free Full Package Ski Camp with Momentum this July in Whistler, B.C. worth over $2,600, where she will be trained and mentored by Olympians and X Games competitors.


Bella is the sixth girl and first American to receive the scholarship since Sarah passed away in 2012. Bella says she’s “so excited to experience the atmosphere at Momentum and learn from the best coaches.”

Spirit of sarah scholarship winner 2017 bella
 
2017 Spirit of Sarah Scholarship Recipient Bella Bacon
 
The judging panel, which includes Sarah's mother Jan Phelan, Sarah's husband Rory Bushfield, Canadian Halfpipe Team Head Coach Trennon Paynter and Momentum Ski Camps Director John Smart, were impressed with Bella’s independent, driven and humble approach to skiing.


Bella is getting ready for camp by playing soccer to stay fit and practicing on her backyard rail set up, which she paid for and built herself, in order to progress her rail skills.

Camp Director John Smart says, “Bella shows great talent, dedication and the guts to send it. She also has a quiet demeanor and modesty that her talent hides behind.”

Rory Bushfield also added, “Bella is a rad skier. She seems very sweet and I believe she has a bright future.”

Spirit of sarah scholarship winner 2017 sarah
 
#CelebrateSarah
 

The Spirit of Sarah Scholarship was created in honour and memory of long-time coach and former camper Sarah Burke, who died in a tragic ski accident in 2012. 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 four years, and a coach for 11 years.

For more on Momentum and the Spirit of Sarah Scholarship, visit momentumskicamps.com, and for more on the Sarah Burke Foundation, head to sarahburkefoundation.com.

 
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