In 2008, after losing longtime friend and colleague C.J. Ramstad to a tragic auto accident the year before, the International Snowmobile Media Council (ISMC) wanted to find a way to honor the renowned photojournalist, editor, publisher and political activist. Ramstad inspired and mentored many young people in the course of his 38-year career so it seemed most appropriate to carry on his legacy by recognizing the outstanding youth in organized snowmobiling through a scholarship program. Thus ISMC’s C.J. Ramstad Memorial Scholarship program was born.
Thirteen young scholars competed in the 2011 ISMC Scholarship contest, 12 from the U.S. and one from Canada. This year’s winner, Trevor Levey of Friesland, Wisconsin, was announced during the awards banquet at the International Snowmobile Congress in Calgary, Alberta.
Trevor grew up surrounded by three generations of active snowmobile club members and was a familiar sight at club, county and state meetings – and on the trails – from a very early age. Over the years, he has spent countless hours helping with fundraising, selling tickets, working concessions, cleaning highways with the adopt-a-highway program, and marking and maintaining his own section of trail. He is also one of the original youth reps in Wisconsin’s County Youth Rep program in which training and guidance is provided to the sport’s future leaders, as well as giving young members a voice at county and state meetings. In 2009, he was named the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Club’s Young Snowmobiler of the Year. Although the love of snowmobiling runs strong through Trevor’s veins, school and extra curricular activities remained high on his priority list. He maintained a 3.00 grade point average and was on the Honor Roll; participated in band; choir; football; Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Family, Career and Community Leaders (FCCLA); other clubs and committees affiliated with school; and an equally impressive resume of community involvement and volunteerism. Trevor graduated from Cambria/Friesland High School with High Honor in June and will be attending the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point pursuing a degree in forestry and natural resources.
ISMC invites all states and provinces who hold their own scholarship award program to submit their single best winning applicant for consideration in the 2012 C.J. Ramstad Memorial Scholarship contest. The scholarship committee will select the winner based on the submission of properly completed applications, neatness, accurate spelling, correct grammar, and school and community involvement. The essays, as written for their individual state/provincial scholarship contests, will be judged on the knowledge of snowmobiling portrayed, neatness, spelling, grammar and writing style. Applications may be downloaded from the ISMC Web site, with completed applications returned by May 1, 2012. The winner will be announced at the 2012 International Snowmobile Congress in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
SAM has several other scholarship opportunities for members that can be found here.
The International Snowmobile Media Council is dedicated to promoting snowmobiling as a safe and exciting family recreation. Originally developed as a forum for state, provincial and national snowmobile publication editors to share ideas, it has grown with the changing times to include video and on-line media as well. It is now comprised of a variety of media representatives who are directly involved with and support the organized snowmobile community.
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