In June, the first ever Mitch Underhill Mountain Fund scholarships were awarded to two very deserving graduates of the LTCC Fire Academy, Sarah DeVore and Daniel Lipscombe.
As both a Wilderness Education major and Fire Academy graduate, Sarah’s passion for Tahoe, the wilderness, and our community is what earned her this scholarship. Sarah is also a climber and lover of the outdoors, and in her words “I have found what brings me alive, how the wilderness transforms individuals, and the amazing strength and beauty found in the outdoors.”
Daniel’s story resonated deeply with the Fund selection committee. Daniel lost his father in 2014. He struggled during the year of this great loss and his studies suffered, but the following year he brought his grades back up to straight As. The fact that Daniel lost his father and still was able to continue with school and his ambition of becoming a firefighter, is inspiring. In his words, “I know in my heart that it would make him proud to see me achieve my dream of becoming a firefighter, and dedicating my life work to helping people in need.”
This scholarship is about creating opportunities and this year’s recipients represent exactly what the Mitch Underhill Mountain Fund is all about. Both Sarah and Daniel are entering paramedic school in the Fall and hope to become Firefighters in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Best of luck to them in their careers!
Thank you to Leona Allen, Damion Estrada, and Perry Quinn for helping select this year’s winners. We had many excellent applicants and it was a tough decision. And thank you to our generous donors! Without you these scholarships would not be possible.