Forever Victory Lap, In Memory of Catherine Nix
| Catherine Nix knew how to live life to the fullest, and her passion for the outdoors inspired everyone around her to get out and make their own adventures a reality. Whether it was skiing, hiking, climbing, or running, Catherine spent all her free time in the mountains, taking advantage of the endless possibilities for recreation around Jackson. After a tragic climbing accident in the Tetons in 2015 took Catherine’s life, her family started Forever Victory Lap, a nonprofit that inspires others to challenge themselves and empower and support those in need. |
Forever Victory Lap began to support to the Coombs Foundation last year to help pass Catherine’s love of skiing on to kids who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance.
“Setting goals and challenging yourself translates to so much positivity in life”
“Spending time outside shaped who Catherine was as a person – adventurous, curious, and inspired to give back,” says Molly Scioli, Catherine’s sister and Executive Director of Forever Victory Lap. “Skiing was one of Catherine’s favorite activities and it’s great that now we can continue to make that possible for all kids.”
Catherine loved working with kids, and her time as a leader at Teton Valley Ranch Camp inspired her to pursue a secondary degree in child psychology. “She was a mentor and counselor to so many people we knew,” explains Molly. “After she died we had all these people reaching out to us from all points in her life, telling us how ‘she inspired me to do this’, and ‘she inspired me to do that’. We knew she’d made an impact on her friends but we had no idea the extent.”
Molly says that being outside helped Catherine develop strong leadership skills and build strong relationships with those close to her in Jackson. “Setting goals and challenging yourself translates to so much positivity in life. It’s a great way to connect with other people and grow as a person,” says Molly. “It’s amazing to see how her memory can still inspire people in that way.”