Mountain Recreation proudly revealed the recipients of the 2024 Chance Copeland-Ladd Scholarship, naming Brooke Staten and Maray Lindley from Eagle as this year’s awardees. The two high school seniors have been selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship each to advance their collegiate pursuits commencing this fall.
Established in commemoration of Chance Copeland-Ladd, the beloved son of former Mountain Recreation board member Bobby Ladd, the scholarship honors his memory. Born in February 2018 with a congenital heart condition, Chance left an indelible mark before his untimely passing.
In keeping with the spirit of Chance’s legacy, the scholarship is bestowed annually upon deserving Mountain Recreation employees or volunteers pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies, embodying the organization’s core values of courage, joy, community, learning, and excellence.
Both Lindley and Staten have been instrumental contributors to Mountain Recreation’s youth programs.
Maray Lindley’s involvement with Mountain Recreation’s gymnastics program underscores her competitive spirit as both an athlete and coach. Her dedication has played a pivotal role in fostering and nurturing the district’s gymnastics community. Since 2020, Lindley has showcased her prowess as a gymnast, transitioning seamlessly into a coaching role in 2021. Beyond mastering backflips, she has demonstrated remarkable attributes such as self-discipline, work ethic, creativity, and courage. Lindley’s recent triumph, clinching first place in the all-around category at Mountain Rec’s 2024 Platinum and Diamond Ascent Home Meet, further underscores her commitment to excellence. Come fall, Lindley intends to pursue psychology studies at the University of Hawaii Manoa.
Brooke Staten’s journey with Mountain Rec traces back to her infancy, marked by her initial swim lesson at the Gypsum Rec Center. Over the years, she has immersed herself in the district’s array of summer camps and sports activities, including gymnastics and soccer. For the past three years, Staten has served as a summer camp counselor, harnessing her passion for working with children. Drawing inspiration from her experiences at Mountain Rec, Staten is set to embark on her academic journey at Fort Lewis College in August, aspiring to obtain a degree in child psychology.
The recognition of Lindley and Staten as recipients of the 2024 Chance Copeland-Ladd Scholarship not only highlights their individual achievements but also underscores Mountain Recreation’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and honoring the enduring legacy of Chance Copeland-Ladd.
