Crystal Scholarship Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (March 20, 2025) – The Crystal Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, awarding a total of $23,000 to six exceptional individuals. Four of the students are first-time recipients and two of the students are second-time recipients. Each student demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, unwavering work ethic, a strong commitment to community service, and solid character, embodying the core values of the foundation.

This year's first-time recipients are:

Grace Kidd: Dependent of Brian Kidd, a long-time member of the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol, Grace is a first-year student at Northern Michigan University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. Her passion for the outdoors and dedication to her studies, coupled with a summer internship at Spicer Group, Detroit, highlight her exceptional maturity and work ethic.

Holly Riley-Lampinen: A senior at Bear Lake High School and dependent of James Riley-Lampinen, Mountain Sports, Holly has also worked in Mountain Sports for the past two years. She will attend Hope College to pursue a major in early education and a minor in business. Her boundless energy and strong values will undoubtedly make her a successful educator.

Ben Morris: Dependent of Scott Morris, a Crystal Mountain Ski Patroller for seven years, Ben is currently a yacht manager in Chicago. He is pursuing his commercial pilot certification in Muskegon, balancing his studies with his current career. Ben holds an associate’s degree in science and arts, and his commitment to community service is evident through his recognition as the 2023 Outstanding Mountain Host of the Year for the Central Division and runner-up for the National Outstanding Mountain Host of the Year. He also dedicates his summers to instructing sailing programs.

William O’Dwyer: A six-year ski instructor at Crystal Mountain and CCSC member, William is a junior at Ferris State University pursuing a degree in Welding Engineering. His passion for helping students reach their potential on the slopes translates to his academic pursuits, where he aims to innovate in the aerospace industry.

The two second-year recipients, who originally earned scholarships in 2024, are Ryan Rasmussen and Alexzandria Barone . Barone has been accepted to the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Eastern Michigan University. Rasmussen will graduate from Hope College this spring with a business degree, specializing in finance. 

The Crystal Scholarship Foundation, established to support Crystal Mountain employees and their dependents, has now awarded over $100,000 to 15 students since its inception in February 2021. Each recipient has received up to $7,500 to further their education in associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree programs, as well as vocational or technical certification programs.

"We are incredibly proud to support these remarkable individuals in their pursuit of higher education," said Chris Pickell, CSF Board Member. "Their dedication to academic excellence, community service, and personal growth exemplifies the values we strive to uphold at the Crystal Scholarship Foundation. We look forward to seeing their future achievements."

One of the questions the applicants needed to answer in the interview was why the scholarship was important to them. Pickell said many of the students said it would remove stress from working extra hours or jobs, therefore allowing them to focus more time on academics.

The Crystal Scholarship Foundation is fully funded by generous donations from the community. The sole fundraising event for the foundation is the Crystal Mountain Scholarship Invitational (CMSI). The 2025 CMSI golf event will take place Aug. 8-9 on the Betsie Valley and Mountain Ridge courses at Crystal Mountain. The deadline to register is Aug. 4. Registration includes food, music, golf challenges and prizes.

In addition to funds raised through the golf event, Crystal Mountain Realty, and generous community donations, Crystal Mountain has pledged to donate $5,000.

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About the Crystal Scholarship Foundation:

The Crystal Scholarship Foundation (501c3) provides scholarships to Crystal Mountain employees and their dependents. Scholarships are awarded annually based on academic proficiency, work ethic, community service, and solid character. The foundation aims to support individuals in achieving their educational goals and contributing positively to their communities. Candidates are chosen through an application and panel interview. Applicants for the 2026 scholarship can start applying the first week of November. For more information email crystalscholarshipfoundation@gmail.com.

About Crystal Mountain:

Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, a conference center, and real estate options. Learn more about becoming a Four Seasons Club member.

Media Contacts:

Kim Pickell
Crystal Scholarship Foundation
crystalscholarshipfoundation@gmail.com