Since its inception in 2019 as a tribute to former staff member Charlie Cammer for his 20th work anniversary, the Elk River Kipper Scholarship has been awarded annually to a Vista staff alum to further their education and personal/career development. Charlie Cammer was committed to helping the many young staff members he mentored learn and grow into leaders who serve their community, are environmentally aware, and pay it forward out in the world.
We are thrilled to announce that we have TWO recipients of the 2026 Elk River Kipper Scholarship – Lauren Arnold and Tommy Vuong.
MEET LAUREN
Lauren’s Vista Verde story began in the winter of 2022, when she joined the Ranch as a housekeeper. What started as a chance to try something new in a place completely different from her home in Tennessee quickly became “one of the most influential chapters” of her life. By her second season, Lauren was promoted to our Head housekeeper position, her first real leadership role, and one that taught her that she was capable of more than she thought in her abilities and future potential. She developed skills in communication, teamwork, and adaptability, along with a sense of independence and confidence that she carries with her to this day.
“One of the greatest gifts Vista Verde gave me was the confidence to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach. If someone had told me ten years ago that I would spend winters working in the snowy mountains of Colorado, I would not have believed them. If someone had told me five years ago that I would be pursuing a healthcare career, I would not have believed that either. My experiences at Vista Verde taught me to keep an open mind, embrace new challenges, and trust my ability to succeed in unfamiliar situations.”
Since leaving Vista Verde, Lauren is still serving guests in a new form when she returned to Tennessee to pursue a new endeavor: nursing! She enrolled in the nursing program at Motlow State Community College, completed her first year of nursing school, and was hired as a part-time Patient Care Technician until she finishes the program.
“Nursing is a profession that allows me to combine my passion for helping others with my desire for lifelong learning and personal growth.”
Lauren is on track to obtain her RN license in the next year and will begin working as a registered nurse at a local hospital. The funds from the scholarship will support her tuition, books, and other educational expenses as she continues to help others.
MEET TOMMY
Much like a lot of our staff, for Tommy, Vista Verde was supposed to be a seasonal stop. Tommy had spent two years in college studying art and interior design and wanted to take a break to try something new. So, that led him to be a server at Vista Verde in the winter of 2022 – his first time in a serving role. One day, Tommy sat in on one of Chef Jonathon’s wine tastings, and something clicked. Never would he have thought that a single event would be the spark that redirected his entire career and life’s work.
“Vista Verde was a seasonal opportunity for me that ended up being the spark to my current career…I always imagined myself being an artist or an interior designer (which is what I studied for in my short 2 years at college), but it was thanks to Jonathan and sitting in on one of his wine tastings that I felt the need to delve deeper into the subject.”
After Vista Verde, Tommy went on to work at Osteria Alberico, an Italian restaurant under the James Beard Award-winning Frasco Hospitality Group, where he now helps run the wine program. Through relentless self-study, he earned his Certified Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and he is now pursuing his WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Diploma, which is a six-part program that takes about three years to complete. Tommy’s long-term goal is to build a wine program from scratch at a fine dining restaurant and eventually earn the Advanced Sommelier and Master Sommelier titles – credentials that fewer than 300 people hold worldwide.
The funds from the Elk River Kipper Scholarship will cover the first section of the WSET Diploma. Beyond financial help, Tommy knows that just having a community that believes in him and his goals is what keeps fueling his ambition.
“Knowing that I have a community that believes in and supports my goals is what continues to fuel my motivation for growth.”
He plans to keep traveling in different wine regions, building relationships with winemakers and distributors, and deepening his knowledge of the business side of the wine industry.
Congratulations to both Lauren and Tommy for being our 2026 recipients of the Elk River Kipper Scholarship. We’re excited to see all of the exciting things you both continue to accomplish.
If you would like to be part of this movement of giving back to our community for their personal and professional development, please consider donating today!