Youth News
Mic hael B u t te rf i e ld MnUSA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
In the September issue the 2021 MnUSA scholarship recipients were announced. This issue we are featuring an essay from Michael Butterfield. The MnUSA Scholarship Program will continue in 2022 with applications due by February 28, 2022. Application forms can be found on MnUSA’s website under Programs. MnUSA Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee on the basis of their essay, academic achievement, leadership, participation in school, snowmobile and community activities, work experience, and additional insight from two outside references. Michael Butterfield graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine in May 2021 and is studying exercise science and a teaching license at University of Wisconsin, Superior. He is an active member of the Swampsiders Snowmobile Club and helped with fundraising, trail clean-up and grooming, shop work on equipment, wood cutting, snowmobile safety classes and grounds maintenance at the club house. Mike was active in many extracurricular activities during high school, lettering in Cross Country (Captain, Individual Iron Range Conference Championships & State participant), Basketball, and Track (Captain) and he participated in Pep Club. Mike also volunteered for many community activities including camp counselor and Second Harvest Food Bank. He is the son of Bruce and Allison Butterfield and is the recipient of a $2250 scholarship. With the many restrictions put on Minnesota residents due to the COVID pandemic, people are embracing outdoor activities, and many have been introduced to or returned to snowmobiling. With all the activity comes a greater responsibility for all riders to respect the generosity of landowners and stay on the trail.
Michael – What would you do to educate and stop riders of all ages and experience levels from trespassing and to say on the trails?
As the COVID pandemic impacted the world and limited recreational and indoor activities for people of all locations, ages, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic statuses, countless individuals found themselves asking, “What is there to do?” Many answered their own question by taking up outdoor activities and hobbies. In the winter months 12
these included skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and of course—snowmobiling. This expanded interest in the sport is wonderful for the snowmobile industry and those who make their living supporting it in various ways, including snowmobile sales and service as well as lodging, restaurants, and gas stations. But—this newfound interest also comes with a caution. Not all individuals new to the sport grew up understanding the intricacies behind the construction of the trails and how easily portions of the trails can be lost. I was fortunate to grow up in a snowmobiling family. Some of my earliest memories are riding in our family’s SnowCoach with siblings or cousins. As years passed, recollections also include sitting in front of my dad on his sled as he incrementally taught me the nuances of driving, completing the snowmobile safety course facilitated by
Minnesota Snowmobiling
