August 25, 2026
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Dark Skies, Inc. is proud to announce Alyssa Gaide, a spring 2026 graduate of Custer County High School, as the recipient of the 2026 Sam Frostman Dark Skies STEM Scholarship. The four-year scholarship provides $5,000 annually toward tuition, totaling $20,000 to support Gaide’s pursuit of a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Gaide, daughter of Shawn and Brenda Gaide of Westcliffe, was selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the Scholarship Selection Committee. She plans to continue her education beyond her undergraduate studies by pursuing a master’s degree in genetics, with the goal of becoming a genetic counselor for families.
“I feel drawn to this career because it bridges the gap between complex science and personalized care for the average person,” Gaide said. “As a Custer County native, I hope to represent our community well in the STEM field. My passion for STEM was fostered in a community that cares about and invests in the people around them.”
The Dark Skies Sam Frostman STEM Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 to promote education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among Custer County residents. The scholarship is open to all students in Custer County, whether traditional students or non-traditional students such as homeschool or online students, provided they are pursuing a STEM degree at an accredited community college or university.
Gaide joins another Custer County student, Isabella Ferron, currently receiving support through the scholarship program. Isabella is entering her sophomore year at the University of Utah studying Biochemistry and Genetics.
The scholarship program has already seen significant success. Past recipients include Tyler Ferron, who graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Dakota State University in 2023 with a degree in Computer Science Software Engineering; Daniel Kennedy, who graduated from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2024 with a degree in Computer Science Engineering; Mat Kienbusch, who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colorado Mesa University in December 2024 with a degree in Mathematics; and Elizabeth “Brooke” Flynn, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado School of Mines in December 2025 with a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Dark Skies is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the exceptional quality of the natural dark skies of the Wet Mountain Valley. Education is one of the organization’s three core goals, and the scholarship fund represents a significant investment in the future of Custer County residents.
For more information about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, or to apply, visit darkskiescolorado.org/stem.
About Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley
Dark Skies, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the exceptional natural dark skies of the Wet Mountain Valley in Custer County, Colorado. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Dark Skies works to protect the valley’s pristine night skies for future generations while supporting local residents in their pursuit of STEM education and careers.
– Press release by Dark Skies, Inc.    
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