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Nik Madsen Memorial Endowment Student Awards

2023/24 Student Award Recipients

Each fall, Adventure Rec student leaders are encouraged to apply to receive financial awards to further their leadership development through outdoor professional certifications or related experiences. The annual interest from the Nik Madsen Memorial Endowment makes these awards possible. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making these leadership development opportunities possible.

Read the 2023/24 Endowment Impact Report & Student Award Recipients Reflections here.

Below is a list of student recipients and award usage.

2023/24
Lupin Amstutz Rec Volunteer $700 Whitewater Rafting Guide School, UC Davis Outdoor Adventures
Ava Dunlavey Rec Leader $700 Whitewater Rafting Guide School, UC Davis Outdoor Adventures
Reuben Ezekiel Rec Leader $700 Whitewater Rafting Guide School, UC Davis Outdoor Adventures
Jake Matthews Rec Leader $700 Single Pitch Instructor Course, American Mountain Guides Association
Cyrus Siegel Rec Leader $500  Single Pitch Instructor Exam, American Mountain Guides Association
Emily Steinbomer Rec-creator (Admin Assistant) $700 Trip Leader Course, National Outdoor Leadership Course
2022/23
Sheil Grandhi Rec Volunteer, REDI Team  $1,165 Southwest Leaders of Color Expedition, National Outdoor Leadership School
Sabina Javier Rec Leader $725 Whitewater Rafting Guide School, UC Davis Outdoor Adventures
Gracie Mendoza Rec Leader, REDI Team $1,710 Southwest Leaders of Color Expedition, National Outdoor Leadership School
2021/22
Sylvie Amstutz Rec Leader $800 Single Pitch Instructor Course, American Mountain Guides Association 
Rosie Campbell Rec Leader $1,200 Coastal Kayak Level 3 Course, American Canoe Association 
Oliver Silverman Rec Leader $1,200 Single Pitch Instructor Course, American Mountain Guides Association
2020/21
Kinley Hartigan Rec Rental, Rec Volunteer $1,400 Wilderness First Responder, National Outdoor Leadership School 
Raul Gonzalez Rec Volunteer $738 People of Color Southwest Climbing Expedition, National Outdoor Leadership School 
Shayna Amster Kayak Leader, Rec Volunteer $400 California Pro Whitewater Rafting Guide Training, ARTA
2019/20
Nicolette Hodgson Rec Leader $1,345 Pacific Northwest Trip Leader Course, National Outdoor Leadership School 
Ruben Perez Rec Leader $750 Wilderness First Responder, National Outdoor Leadership School 
Evan Somma Surf Instructor $240 Swiftwater Rescue certification course

Read more about the 2019 student recipients in the UCSC Adventure Rec Register Fall 2019 newsletter.