Hi! My name is Dean McMichael, and I am honored to be a recipient of the Grossman Scholarship. I am a graduating senior at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado. I love to ski, hike, and bike, and I dance, play music, and make art as well. I have been involved in various clubs, including my school's National Honor Society chapter, Earth Club, and Student Equity Council. The Grossman Scholarship will allow me to pursue Environmental Studies at Colorado College in the fall. 

 Growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley, I have been surrounded by wilderness my whole life. My intimacy with nature has made environmentalism a core value for me, and it has guided my actions. In high school, I spearheaded recycling and energy efficiency initiatives with the Earth Club. For my senior project, I created a composting program at my school by writing and receiving a grant that will fund the project for years to come. My environmentalist values have inspired me throughout my life.

 The other value system that has guided me in high school is that of diversity and equity, which I pursued as a member of the Equity Council. This group sought to elevate marginalized voices in the school and community. I am drawn to environmental studies and sustainability because they are fundamentally issues of justice, and I hope to apply my interest in equity to my studies in college.

 The Environmental Studies program at Colorado College will allow me to explore human relationships with the environment in the beautiful landscape of Colorado. The Grossman Scholarship gives me access to hands-on experience, expert professors, research, and all of the opportunities that Colorado College offers to build experience and knowledge as I pursue my passions.

Dean is one of seven students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado. VOC also offers 1-2 scholarships per year, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), to students who meet the above criteria and are affiliated with any of the partners in the My Outdoors Colorado (MOC) Coalition, or who are connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods in Denver.

Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open in October 2023.