Past Recipients
Past Scholarship Recipients
2003 – Michael Scott
Mike received a scholarship in 2003. He was accepted into the US Naval Academy and graduated from the academy in 2008 with a degree in political science, and was selected for the naval flight training program. Mike finished Navy flight school and received his Naval Aviator wings in October 2010. He is currently based at NAS Oceania in Virginia Beach, VA where he grew up. He is currently learning to fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and will complete Fleet Replacement Squadron training later this fall, which will enable him to do aerial refueling and land on the aircraft carrier day or night in the Super Hornet.
2003- Richard Valenta
Richard attended Purdue University, graduating in 2009 with a degree in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering. He was commissioned into the US Navy through the ROTC program and is currently training as a naval aviator.
2003 – Sarah Lemmer
Sarah graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Jose University with degrees in Aviation, Flight Operations and Business in 2006. After working at three general aviation airports in the San Fransisco Bay area, she was hired by Mesa Airlines. She flew as a First Officer on the Dash 8 out of Denver, CO. After she was furloughed, Sarah was awarded an Active Duty Pilot slot with the United States Air Force, through their Officer Training School program and started her training in July 2011.
2004 – Michael Hames
Michael Hames graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2008 with a degree in Aviation Management with Flight. Michael currently works in the Airport Operations at General Mitchell International Airport,while maintaining his commercial, multi-engine and other flight ratings.
2004 – Brittany Albers
Brittany Albers graduated with an accounting degree from Judson University. Although Brittany did not pursue an aviation career, she continues to fly as a private pilot.
2005 – Ryan Wright
Ryan Wright graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2009 in Aviation. He is currently a certified flight instructor. Ryan is currently going through Officer Candidate School in the United States Marines.
2005 – Kevin Carney
Kevin Carney graduated from Bridgewater State College in Aviation Science in 2008. He currently works as a crew scheduler at American Eagles Airlines.
2006- Courtney Vidt
Courtney (Vidt) Schaer graduated from the United States Air Force Academy class of 2011. Courtney was commissioned by the second female Thunderbird pilot, Major Samantha Weeks. She will be stationed at Vance AFB to complet her pilot training. Courtney is also a newlywed. She married Greg Schaer this summer.
2007 – Julie Falsken
Julie Falsken graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aviation Business Administration. She will finish up a second degree in Aeronautics and another minor in Air Traffic Control at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, later this fall. Julie currently holds her instrument rating, and single and multi-engine commercial rating. She recently accepted a job with Boeing in their test and evaluation department.
2008 – Brittany Smith
Brittany Smith attends Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, majoring in Aeronautical Science, and will graduate at the end of the year. She got her commercial license and working towards her multi-commercial rating. Brittany is currently flying the Diamond Twin Star.
2009 – Joshua Mech
Josh Mech is currently attending Southern Illinois State University, where he is majoring in Aeronautical Science. He is now a instrument commercial pilot and the first deaf individual to get an instrument rating. He is now working on his CFI (certified flight instructor license. Josh is a member of his school’s flying salukis precision flight team, and ranks 8th out of 150 collegiate pilots in the nation in SCAN (simulated comprehensive area navigation.)
2010 – Michael Hull
Michael Hull is now instrument rated and attending Bowling Green State University. He is currently working line service at Atlanta Executive Jet Center for the summer. Next year Michael plans to transfer to Middle Georgia College for their new aviation program.
