Sam Talcott applied for his scholarship jointly with Emily Ryan back in 2014. They were avid hikers and were seeking assistance to backpack the Appalachian Trail. In their application essay they stated, “We are reaching out to the Flyin’ Ryan scholarship program because we plan to live every day, all day ­ in the way we see that Ryan did.” 

Now here is a life update from Sam.

“I’m working in Bethlehem, NH as a teacher at the White Mountain School. I feel very fortunate to be working at a school that embraces outdoor experience and adventure as part of its core identity – my job includes not just teaching math, but also coaching rock climbing and leading week-long outdoor/academic expeditions with my students. This fall I led a musical improvisation/canoe camping course on Squam Lake.

In terms of personal adventures, in the past few years, I ticked off a personal bucket-list goal of completing an ultramarathon. I ran the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler in New York in 2017, and then again in Massachusetts in 2018 (see post-finish photo to the right). This past year I’ve put personal adventures on hold while I focused on being the best father I can be to an adorable (and hopefully future adventurous and outdoorsy) little girl.”