CAU establishes $1 million in scholarships

CAU on May 26 established the Reaching New Heights Scholarship, which will award 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to students applying for an aeronautics degree program at any of the growing university’s four locations.

“California Aeronautical University understands the barriers and challenges presented to many pursuing a career as a professional pilot,” said CAU President Matthew Johnston. “Our hope is that this scholarship will help turn a dream of flying into reality for many aspiring aviators.”

In 2019 the university surprised local high school standout Kimberly Rodriguez Gaona with a $151,650 Dreams Take Flight Scholarship that helped her jump-start an aviation career.

The Bakersfield, California-based institution operates flight center locations in Oxnard and San Diego, and recently expanded operations to include an Arizona campus.

LeRoy Homer Jr. scholarship recipients announced

The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation presented scholarships to Caitlyn Brough in Columbus, Ohio, and Shafer Kam in Honolulu, Hawaii. Brough said she hopes to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Kam said he plans to pursue an airline career. The awards are named in honor of United Airlines Flight 93 First Officer LeRoy W. Homer Jr., who died on September 11, 2001, during an al-Qaida terrorist attack on a jetliner near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when all aboard were killed.

The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation announced an “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” event that will take place on August 28 in Philadelphia as part of the twentieth anniversary and remembrance of the attacks on Pennsylvania; New York; and Washington, D.C.

“Being able to offer flight scholarships has been so rewarding,” said Melodie Homer, the foundation’s president. “It’s an opportunity to see these individuals’ dreams become a reality.” The foundation’s mission is to encourage and support young adults who wish to pursue aviation as a professional career.

The United States Air Force Academy Class of 2024 recently named the late Homer Jr. as its Class Exemplar, a person who becomes the honorary class leader because he or she "exemplifies" the type of person the class wishes to emulate. Third-degree (sophomore) cadets have selected an exemplar each year since 2000.

You Fly Gal awards five scholarships

You Fly Gal Inc., a nonprofit founded by Maria Harrison-Dooley and dedicated to encouraging women of all ages to help their dreams take flight, awarded scholarships to Madelynn Crosby of Sangerville, Maine; Elizabeth Demag of Enosburg Falls, Vermont; Kaylie Flannigan of Castleton, Vermont; Cassie Bates of Gardiner, Maine; and Karla Marlene Perales of Redondo Beach, California.

“My goal is to lead by example, sharing my story, while being a ’loud‘ voice to inspire young girls and women of all ages, to follow their dream of flight,” Harrison-Dooley said May 21.

Texas students awarded scholarships

Three students from the Academy of Aeronautics and Aviation at V.R. Eaton High School in Texas have received scholarships to pursue their interests in flying and aviation maintenance.

Caden Brooks and Riley Combs each received a V.R. Eaton Aviation and Aeronautics Academy Scholarship funded by businessman and aviation record-setter H. Ross Perot Jr., and Logan Daniels received a You Can Fly High School Flight Training Scholarship funded by the Ray Foundation.

AOPA awards $1.1 million to scholarship winners

The AOPA Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million to 124 scholarship recipients, including high school students and teachers, aspiring pilots, pilots in training, and pilots pursuing advanced ratings. Since 2012, the AOPA Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships. This year’s scholarship winners included a diverse group of pilots and future pilots, ranging in age from 15 to 62. More than 40 percent of the recipients are women, and more than 20 percent are people of color.

The Ray Foundation donated $1 million for 80 high school students and 20 high school teachers to pursue a pilot certificate. Generous donations from other individuals and organizations allowed 24 additional awards.