The Scholarships
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BACKGROUND
Bindu was an incredibly valued community member and role model for many. He was known for his big heart and beyond generous character. Bindu never failed to lend a hand or give back to the people he loved. For several years, Bindu shared numerous laughs and smiles with VSSA and the rest of the community. At the same time, he was a fearless athlete who enjoyed even the most daunting challenges; his love for the mountains was unparalleled. After the loss of Bindu in 2018, the community came together to honor Bindu, with the Bindu Spirit Award. After several successful years, the Bindu Memorial Fund is pleased to add three new scholarships.
Scholarship Submission Details
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026
*Please put the award name of the one you are applying for in the subject line*
Bindu Spirit Award
Nick Courtens Community Member Award
Lily Connelly Female Athlete of the Year Award
Tony Seibert “Pardee On” Award
Scholarship Video Guidelines
Overview
Applicants will work in teams of two to create a short film, 5 to 7 minutes, that tells your story as an athlete and as a member of this mountain community.
Your film should combine
Action footage such as skiing, riding, or training
Lifestyle and community moments
Personal narration or on camera storytelling
When complete, upload your video to Vimeo and include the link in your scholarship application.
Scholarship awards will be split evenly between both team members.
This is not about polish or perfection.
It is about authenticity, passion, and connection to place.
Application deadline: March 15
Scholarship awards announced: March 26
Story Framework
Use the prompts below to guide your storytelling. You do not need to answer every question. Choose the ones that help you tell your story best.
1. Where You Come From
Help us understand who you are and how the mountains became part of your life.
What does it mean to grow up or live in this valley
How has this mountain community shaped who you are
Who or what first inspired your love for your sport
2. Your Passion and Stoke
Show us what drives you to get out there every day.
What do you love most about your sport
What moments make you feel most alive
How do you define stoke and what does it look or feel like for you
3. Your Why
Go deeper into motivation and resilience.
Why do you do what you do
What keeps you pushing through challenges or setbacks
How do teammates, coaches, or the community fuel your drive
What do you hope people feel when they watch you ski or ride
4. Looking Forward
Share what is next and how you give back.
What would receiving this scholarship mean to you
How would it help you continue your passion
How do you want to give back to this mountain community
What are your next goals, athletic, personal, or both
Filming Tips and Creative Guidance
We are not looking for perfection. We are looking for your story.
Make something you would be proud to show your teammates, friends, family, and community at the awards.
For best results
Film horizontally so your video looks great on a big screen
4K resolution is strongly encouraged
Use cinematic techniques
Camera movement
Depth of field
Varied angles and perspectives
Include a mix of
Action
Lifestyle
Community moments
Add music that enhances the story and mood
No explicit or vulgar language
Be honest, be creative, and take risks
Final Note
This scholarship celebrates story, community, and heart, not just performance.
We look forward to seeing how you bring your mountain story to life.
Submit your application here: DEADLINE March 15, 2026
The Scholarships
The Bindu Spirit Award: awarded to the athlete that demonstrates passion for life that Bindu would admire.
Bindu was an incredibly valued community member and role model for many. He was known for his big heart and beyond generous character. Bindu never failed to lend a hand or give back to the people he loved. For several years, Bindu shared numerous laughs and smiles with VSSA and the rest of the community. At the same time, he was a fearless athlete who enjoyed even the most daunting challenges; his love for the mountains was unparalleled.
The Nick Courtens Community Member Award: awarded to the athlete that demonstrates care and stewardship of their community. Nick was a big mountain skier, a rafter, a prolific gardener, coach, friend and highly valued member of the Eagle Valley community. His community engagement is best captured by words from his father, Jean-Paul, ‘I love how he found a place here in Vail at Betty Ford where people recognized his qualities and allowed him to thrive. I want to thank you all for loving our boy the way we loved him’.
Lily Connelly Female Athlete of the Year: awarded to the female athlete that demonstrates outstanding athletics and community engagement.
Lily loved life and approached everyday with passion and joy, striving to make it a good day for her and for others around. She lived life fully and was constantly trying to be better. She poured her heart and soul into everything she did, whether it was big mountain skiing or pottery. She found something beautiful and creative in the mundane, and that energy permeated throughout everyone she touched.
The Tony Seibert "Pardee On" Award: awarded to the athlete who demonstrates a love for life in mountains.
It would be hard to find someone that loved skiing and life more than Tony Seibert. Tony started his skiing career at SSCV as a promising racer, and then found his true passion in the sport of Freeskiing. He was a fierce competitor in park and big mountain competitions. Tony was always going full send, whether he was jumping 15 feet out of the pipe, straight lining the Headwall at Crested Butte, or celebrating with his peers after a competition. Tony had a radiant smile and an infectious energy that inspired others around him to embrace life fully. Pardee was Tony's middle name, and now we say "Pardee On!" as a reminder to continue living with the same passion that Tony had every day.