Each year, when it is time to pick the recipient of the Elk River Kipper Scholarship, we are reminded that this is no easy feat. Once again, we had a field of applications that made us want to pick every one of them! It is with great pleasure that we introduce Victoria Ramirez as the 2022 recipient of the Elk River Kipper Scholarship.
Victoria has worked at the ranch off and on since 2019, and we have enjoyed her quiet presence, thoughtfulness, and commitment to getting the job done. As with many of the ERKS applicants, her aspirations take her far from Colorado, yet she shared that her time at the ranch was impactful in sorting out her priorities and how they tie into her next steps in life.
Victoria spent her academic career studying international politics and foreign languages such as Russian and Arabic. In 2019, she attended the Middlebury Language Summer Program to continue her Russian studies in a highly immersive environment. Thanks to the Elk River Kipper Scholarship, she’ll be able to return to Middlebury this summer to continue her Russian language education.
These language programs are a key part of Victoria’s next steps, starting with earning a Master’s degree in Russian affairs and eventually having a role in countering war crimes and transnational corruption. As Victoria put it, “I grew up with one indisputable truth: Defend those who cannot defend themselves.”
Congratulations to Victoria! We are so excited to be supporting you on this next step of your journey! Many thanks also to all the guests who have contributed to the ERKS fund to help make this possible.
Click here to learn more about the Elk River Kipper Scholarship.