Four young people who are working toward goals in aviation have been named the 2015 scholarship recipients of the AOPA AV8RS Scholarship Program.
The scholarship program, in its second year, will award a total of $22,000 to the recipients, who were chosen from among the membership of AOPA AV8RS, a program that makes free AOPA memberships available to teens ages 13 to 18, and recognizes that “AOPA AV8RS are AOPA’s future.”
This year’s scholarship awards were funded through the nonprofit AOPA Foundation, and made possible by the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust.
Scholarship recipients are chosen based on merit, past accomplishments, a demonstrated ability to set goals, and a commitment to general aviation. The scholarship program is open to all current members of AOPA AV8RS who are pursuing an aviation-related goal, including a primary pilot’s certificate (and have not completed the FAA practical test/checkride at the time of application); study in an aviation/aerospace field through an accredited aviation program at a college/university, technical school, or aviation academy; or by attending an aviation or aerospace camp.
Here are the 2015 scholarship recipients.
Allison M. Adams, 18, of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, has been awarded $8,150 to be applied toward college tuition. She is a new private pilot who started her journey by taking classes at the National Air and Space Education Institute in Frankfort, Kentucky. Adams is currently enrolled as a first-year student at Eastern Kentucky University and is pursuing an Aviation/Pro-Flight bachelor’s degree. Over the past four years she has volunteered for more than 100 hours at the Capitol City Airport on Saturday mornings, working on aircraft maintenance.
Nicholas J. Remele, 18, of Phoenix, Arizona, is a sophomore at Arizona State University who will receive $6,000 to be applied toward college tuition. Remele, who is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering and hopes to design military aircraft at Lockheed Martin, earned his private pilot certificate three months after his seventeenth birthday. He is very active with the Civil Air Patrol, and now holds the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. He also is active with the Boy Scouts, having become an Eagle Scout at 13.
Dylan J. Kuchan, 18, of Mesa, Arizona, is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship toward the completion of his primary flight training. Kuchan is a high school senior in the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) aviation program in Mesa. He is now in his third semester at EVIT, with a dual enrollment that will allow him to receive college credit for his aviation classes. He is planning to attend the University of North Dakota with the goal of becoming an international airline pilot.
Jason M. Preston, 17, of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of $3,000 to complete primary training. Preston currently attends Avon Grove High School, where he is in the eleventh grade. Preston soloed last November at the 25-hour mark of training. He is president and founder of the Avon Grove Aviation Club at his school. As the club’s founder, he hopes “to provoke positive social interaction and impact the demographic of the average age of aviators.”
“We are proud to recognize these four inspirational young AV8RS and help them build the skills they need to become leaders in aviation,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.
AOPA AV8RS are AOPA’s future—as is recruiting, engaging, and developing the next generation of pilots. AV8RS membership is free and includes a digital subscription to Flight Training magazine; access to members-only content on AOPA Online and AOPA Flight Training Online for research and interesting stories; opportunities to connect with other AOPA AV8RS across the country through dedicated online social communities including Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, and YouTube; informative content at AOPA AV8RS; a special e-newsletter with stories about young pilots; scholarship opportunities; and more.
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