When she's in the halfpipe throwing frontside 9s, Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) is the picture of snowboarding perfection - a woman leading her peers in the progression of the sport. But, according to the Olympic gold medalist, none of her successes would have been possible if she weren't afforded the opportunity to attend a mountain school.

So, in an effort to continue leading her sport, Clark has set up the Kelly Clark Foundation, which seeks to provide scholarships for talented athletes with financial need to attend mountain academies.

"I think it's important for kids to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I was given that opportunity growing up and it helped me get to where I am today," Clark said.

According to Clark, it could have been someone else with the 2002 gold medal had she not had a chance to excel in the sport.

"Without the support of people and going to a mountain school, I don't think I would be the snowboarder I am today," Clark said.

The foundation is a new effort for Clark, who is hoping her presence at the 2010 Games in Vancouver will give her work a push in the right direction.

"My foundation is very new, and it's almost like a new adventure for me. I have a few people helping me out with it and I'm hoping that this next school year I will be able to provide scholarships," Clark said. "My plan was to have it established by the time the Olympics came around so I could really draw some attention to it and start to pull in the resources to help it grow."

As a young snowboarder, Clark was the recipient of an incredible opportunity to attend the Mount Snow Academy, which she credits with her progression to pro snowboarding and her ability to perform as an elite athlete.

"I think without the opportunity to spend time developing your snowboarding, it's difficult to make it as a professional," Clark said. "Going to the mountain school enabled me not only to complete my schooling and studies, but also to further my snowboarding and experiencing the hours it takes to become a developed athlete."

And now, with her foundation rolling, Clark hopes other athletes will be able to reap the same benefits in an environment that allows them to grow in the sport.

"I think it's a very fulfilling thing to do what you love, and I'd love to see dreams being able to be pursued. I think there's a lot of life that comes along with that," Clark said.

To find out more about the Kelly Clark Foundation, as well as how to get involved, go to kellyclarkfoundation.org