AOPA Foundation, H. Ross Perot Jr. award scholarships to Texas students
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.
AOPA Foundation Executive Director Melissa Rudinger and You Can Fly Executive Director Elizabeth Tennyson helped present two V.R. Eaton Aviation and Aeronautics Academy Scholarships, funded by businessman and aviation record-setter H. Ross Perot Jr., and a You Can Fly High School Flight Training Scholarship funded by the Ray Foundation.
“These students are high achievers, and we are delighted to partner with Ross Perot Jr. and the V.R. Eaton Aviation and Aeronautics Academy to award these scholarships and give Caden and Riley a jump start in aviation,” Rudinger said. “The aviation and aerospace industries are full of exciting opportunities, and this academy is helping to prepare them well to one day enter the workforce.”
Over the next three years, four more V.R. Eaton Aviation and Aeronautics Academy scholarships will be awarded to students at the public aviation academy. Students in the academy can take dual credit college courses in two career areas: aviation maintenance technology and professional pilot. The AOPA Foundation administers the scholarship program for the school and Perot.
“The Perot family is honored to support students to reach their ambitions in the competitive field of aviation and technology,” Perot said in January during the announcement about the new scholarship series. “This scholarship program reflects North Texas’ strong aviation heritage, and it will help feed the future skilled labor needs of aviation partners at Alliance Texas and throughout the region, while helping students explore the industry and pursue their passions.”
Perot was the first to fly around the world in a helicopter when he was 23. He has been a strong supporter of aviation and the AOPA Foundation.
Daniels was one of 80 high school students nationwide who won an AOPA You Can Fly 2021 High School Flight Training Scholarship funded by the Ray Foundation, which was created by the late pilot, philanthropist, and entrepreneur James C. Ray.
“We are thrilled to be able to support Logan in his quest to become a pilot,” said Tennyson. “We know the pilot shortage is still looming and students like Logan will be needed on flight decks across the world. This scholarship will help him continue on the aviation track by helping cover his flight training.”
