The Far West Nordic Ski Education Association is proud to announce the winners of the annual Ted Beauchamp Scholarship fund, awarded each year to young cross country ski racers who are avid participants of the sport, and who show a dedication and character that serves as a positive example to all of those involved in Nordic competition. This year’s winners of the $300 Scholarship Award are Dayna Stimson of Crowley Lake, CA and Alex Ferneyhough from Truckee, California. Each of these skiers have shown a passion for skiing, have an interest in skiing at a national level, and most importantly, have shown a quality of character that Far West Nordic and the Ted Beauchamp Family can be proud of.
Dayna Stimson, a Junior at Mammoth High School, has been Nordic racing competitively since the 6th grade, and has shown a steady and marked improvement year by year. Currently a J1 (16-17 year old) racer, she has represented Far West at the national level since she was 13 years old, starting with her first Junior Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. She is a veteran of 4 JO’s. Her breakthrough year occurred this past winter, where she took the title of High School State Champion for California/Nevada. Stimson then went on this year to have exceptional results on the national level, highlighted by her 4th place finish in the Freestyle Competition in the Junior Olympics at Soldier Hollow, Utah. A team leader, Stimson continues to show the Nordic community that she is deserving of this award.
Alex Ferneyhough has also been skiing competitively since 6th grade, where he starred for Alder Creek Middle School, and has gone on to 4 years of racing for Truckee High School. A graduating senior this year, Ferneyhough has led his team by example, training throughout the year to improve his rankings on the nordic team. Even while injured much of last autumn with a wrist injury, Ferneyhough still trained at every team workout, roller skiing without poles for mile after mile, showing the fortitude and dedication necessary of top cross country ski racers. A veteran of 3 Junior Olympics, starting with the 2005 competition at Auburn Ski Club, Ferneyhough’s 2007 was a second place in this year’s Silver Rush 30 kilometer race at Royal Gorge.
This Scholarship is in memorial of Ted Beauchamp, who was a dedicated member of the Far West Ski Association Board of Directors, and a long-time mentor to kids regarding skiing and other outdoor pursuits. The Beauchamp Family and Far West Nordic feel that this scholarship to help young ski racers is a fitting way to remember a departed friend of the organization. Donations to the Scholarship Fund can be made by mail to the Far West Nordic Ski Education Association, P.O. Box 10046, Truckee, CA 96162. For more information, call (530) 587-0304 or e-mail to info@farwestnordic.org.
