Backcountry Family Honors Son’s Legacy Through Scholarship Foundation
BackCountry residents Ryan and Kim Frederking have turned profound loss into lasting
impact by establishing the Cole Frederking Legacy Foundation in honor of their son,
Cole, who passed away in August 2024 after a courageous four-year battle with Wilms
tumor, a rare pediatric kidney cancer.
Finding Community
The Frederkings moved from Scottsdale, Arizona, to BackCountry in 2015 with their son
Cole and daughter Ella, and quickly became active members of both the Backcountry
and greater Highlands Ranch communities. They found a welcoming neighborhood
filled with opportunities to connect, volunteer, and build lasting friendships. Cole and
Ella’s home schools have included Stone Mountain Elementary, Mountain Ridge Middle
School and Mountain Vista High School, where they have been surrounded by
friendship and support.
Cole was a bright, joyful, and determined young man whose natural curiosity and love of
learning touched everyone around him. He was actively involved in baseball, soccer,
Landsharks Run Club, Cub and Boy Scouts. One of his favorite events was
Backcountry’s “Run for Ellen,” a 5K race honoring Ellen McGrath, a member of the
Backcountry community who passed away from cancer in 2017. In May 2019, Cole won
his age group in the Run for Ellen 5K. An achievement made even more meaningful in
hindsight, as he would be diagnosed with cancer just one year later.
Cole’s younger sister, Ella has also been an active and committed member of the local
community. She grew up participating in Highlands Ranch youth sports before pursuing
her passion for horseback riding, eventually advancing to competitive dressage. She is
also an active member of Mountain Vista’s StageFlight Theatre, where she has
cultivated her interest in acting while at the same time, honoring the legacy of her
brother, Cole.
Facing Adversity with Courage
In June 2020, Cole was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilms tumor. Over the next four years,
he faced extensive treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem
cell transplant. Throughout his journey, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and
determination.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Cole reinvented himself. With the same drive he
brought to sports, he turned his focus to acting—something he had always enjoyed but
hadn’t had time to pursue. Through StageFlight Theatre, he fully embraced this new
passion. Acting, theatre, and film became a source of joy and purpose, and the theatre
community welcomed him with open arms. Theatre became a source of strength and
purpose for Cole, helping him navigate some of the most challenging years of his life.
In the summer of 2024, Cole learned his cancer was terminal. Even then, his focus
remained on helping others. He chose to donate his tumors to scientific research,
hoping his contribution would help advance treatments and improve outcomes for future
pediatric cancer patients. He also began thinking about how he could leave a lasting
legacy at Mountain Vista High School and in his community.
When Cole needed strength, it was his community who stood beside him. In return, he
wanted to give back to the people and places that had meant so much to him. The Cole
Frederking Legacy Foundation was created to fulfill that vision and honor the brave,
selfless, and compassionate person he was.
A Legacy of Love and Leadership
Within nine months of Cole’s passing, the foundation awarded its first scholarships to
three deserving Mountain Vista students who demonstrated some of the same qualities
exemplified by Cole – perseverance and strength through adversity, commitment to
excellence, and academic or extracurricular rigor. The foundation continues to provide
annual support to qualified students via a Theatre Scholarship, a Senior Scholarship,
and a Film Scholarship.
In May 2026, scholarship amounts were increased to commemorate what would have
been Cole’s senior year and to provide greater support to students, made possible due
to growing community support and fundraising efforts.
This school year, the Cole Frederking Legacy Foundation announced the following
scholarship winners recognized for their achievements in academics, leadership,
service, and the arts:
Charlie Moses - Theatre Scholarship
Pratt Institute - New York
Charlie has made significant contributions to Mountain Vista High School’s theatre and
film programs, serving in a variety of acting, leadership and production roles while
pursuing his passion for storytelling and filmmaking.
Landon Dunn - Senior Scholarship
University of Utah
Landon was selected for his academic excellence, community involvement, and
perseverance, while completing EMT and fire science coursework and demonstrating a
strong commitment to serving others.
Logan Graber - Film Scholarship
Loyola Marymount University
Logan was recognized for his accomplishments in filmmaking, producing multiple short
films, earning awards for his work, and contributing extensively to Mountain Vista’s film
and media programs.
The three 2026 scholarship recipients demonstrate the dedication, leadership, creativity,
and commitment to excellence the foundation seeks to support.
Inspired Leadership and Lasting Impact
The Cole Frederking Legacy Foundation is led by a five-member board that includes
Ryan and Kim along with local community leaders Lindsay Beebe, Amy Reback and
Debbie McClellan, whose lives were touched by Cole’s remarkable spirit.
Four of the five board members are also Backcountry residents, reflecting the strong
connection between the foundation and the community Cole called home. Together, the
board brings a diverse range of professional experience, knowledge, and passion to
help the foundation grow, expand its impact, and ensure that Cole’s legacy continues to
inspire future generations.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped us celebrate Cole’s life by investing in
the futures of local students,” said Kim Frederking, CFLF Vice Chair. “The generosity of our
supporters has allowed us to expand our impact in only our second year, and we are honored
to recognize these exceptional students.”
Cole’s journey was marked by unwavering positivity, strength, and hope. His resilience
in the face of unimaginable challenges continues to inspire everyone who had the
privilege of knowing him.
Through these scholarships, Cole’s legacy continues to inspire and recognize
determination, perseverance, joy and service... values that defined his life and continue
to impact the community he loved.
To learn more or contribute to the scholarship fund, visit ColeFrederking.org