News |

For the fifth time in the 25-year history of the Daniels Fund, a Steamboat Springs High School senior has been awarded a full-ride college scholarship through the Colorado-based charitable foundation.
In fact, this year two seniors from SSHS earned the prestigious, four-year, $100,000 scholarship — Lillian Hammer and Zoey Beckner.
“To have two in one school in Steamboat for the first time ever is wonderful, and we are thrilled for them,” said Sean Duffy, Daniels Fund communications director.
Duffy said the scholarship fund — founded by Greeley-born former naval fighter pilot and cable television pioneer Bill Daniels — helps families in need send motivated students to college.
“Without the Daniels scholarship, many of the families say higher education was out of the picture,” Duffy noted.
Both of the 17-year-old graduating Steamboat Springs High School seniors say they and their families are breathing a sigh of relief after the April notification of the scholarships because paying for college was going to be a struggle for their families.
The two seniors first realized during an interview process in Glenwood Springs that they were both vying for the same type of scholarship. The students say they are “thrilled” for each other during this first year of two Daniels Fund scholarships being awarded to Steamboat Springs High School graduates.
Beckner, who lives on her extended family’s Fish & Cross Ranch near Yampa, transferred from South Routt schools to attend Steamboat Springs schools starting in fourth grade. Now she is headed to her dream choice of Pepperdine University to study biology on a pre-med track with a goal of becoming a pediatrician. Although the Daniels Fund does not cover full-ride costs at Pepperdine, Beckner is sold on the university in Southern California for its high entrance rate of graduates accepted into medical school.
Beckner developed an interest in medicine and neurology after suffering from seven diagnosed concussions from soccer, basketball and gym class through the years. Her last two concussions each required at least four months for recovery and led to increased risk for migraines and the need for accommodations for longer time to take tests, she said.
Hammer, born and raised in Steamboat, is headed to Colorado State University in Fort Collins to study psychology. Her goal is to earn a master’s degree in five years and then work to become an addiction counselor.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity, and I’m so blessed,” Hammer said.
Both students have a head start on college credits. Hammer earned 25 college credits through concurrent enrollment classes at Colorado Mountain College. Beckner took seven Advanced Placement classes through the high school starting with Human Geography her freshman year and AP classes in calculus, chemistry and literature/composition during her senior year.
Both teenagers have a strong volunteer and work history, and each served as sports team captains. Beckner has played soccer since she was 5, and Hammer was a track and cross-country athlete at the high school.
The teenagers also have a creative side as Beckner makes jewelry sold at a local store, and Hammer was co-president for four years for a Baking Club that helped raised funds for school needs.
The teenagers said they originally did not realize how rigorous the process was for the scholarship competition. In an interview in the high school library this week, the two upbeat students credited the strong support of their parents and families and discussed the drive, energy and hard work required during their high school years that led to the Daniels Fund award.
Lillian is the daughter of Liz and Mike Hammer of Steamboat, and Beckner is the daughter of Nick and Rebecca Beckner of Yampa.
The fund spokesperson noted the scholarship award is based on financial needs as well as leadership and academic potential. The applicants must be well-rounded, submit as essay and participate in interviews with business and community leaders. The applicants must demonstrate strong character, a history of giving back during high school and “a sense of real drive and grit,” he said.
The Daniels Fund traditionally awards 200 scholarships annually across the four states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. To celebrate the fund’s quarter-century mark, 25 additional scholarships were awarded this year. In Colorado, 156 students received the four-year college scholarship for 2025.
To reach Suzie Romig, call 970-871-4205 or email sromig@SteamboatPilot.com.









Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Sign up for daily and breaking news headlines.

Classifieds
Jobs
Real Estate
Rentals
Autos
Pets
Recreation
Merchandise
Legals
Place Legal Ad
Search Legal Ads
Contact Us
Become a Carrier
Submissions
Advertise
Archives
Special Sections
About Us
Newsletters
Submit an Obituary
Commercial Print Sales
RSS
E-edition
E-edition archive
Cookie List
Do not sell my personal information
Aspen – Snowmass
Craig – Moffat County
Glenwood Springs – Rifle
Lake Tahoe – California
Breckenridge – Summit County
Vail – Eagle County
Winter Park – Granby – Grand County
Printing Press Jobs
©2005 – 2025 Swift Communications, Inc.

source