My name is Ellah Wardell, and I’m currently entering my third year at California Baptist University, where I’m working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Flight. I earned my private pilot certificate in April 2024 and received my instrument rating on April 11, 2025. I’m now actively training for my commercial certificate, and will continue to get multi-engine rating, and both my CFI and CFII. My long-term goal is to become an airline pilot, but aviation has become far more than just a career path for me, it’s a way to grow personally, serve others, and lead with purpose. I was born and raised in Alaska, a place where aviation is not just exciting but essential. I live in a rural town called Port Alsworth, and the only way there is by plane, there are no roads that go out there. Growing up around bush planes and remote airstrips, I developed an early fascination with flying. In Alaska, aviation connects people in ways no road ever could. That sense of connection, service, and adventure inspired me to pursue flight training, with the dream of one day flying professionally and giving back to the communities that first showed me what aviation could be. As I’ve progressed in my training, I’ve come to see that leadership in aviation isn’t just about rank or experience, it’s about character, service, and setting the tone for others. I strive to lead by example through consistency, responsibility, and a willingness to help those around me. Whether it’s encouraging a classmate who’s preparing for a checkride or sharing what I’ve learned with newer students, I make it a priority to support and uplift others in their journey. Outside of aviation, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in several leadership and volunteer roles. I regularly play keyboard for my church’s worship team, which has taught me the importance of preparation, humility, and being part of something bigger than myself. In 2023, I went on a two-week missions trip to Cambodia, where I assisted with outreach efforts and worked alongside local ministries. Me and my teach taught kids English and the Bible. That experience showed me what servant leadership looks like in action, putting others first, being adaptable, and stepping into unfamiliar situations with compassion and courage. At California Baptist University, I work in the Flight Operations dispatch office, where I help coordinate daily flight schedules, assist students and instructors, and ensure smooth communication between dispatch and operations. This role has given me a behind-the-scenes understanding of flight training logistics and strengthened my ability to stay organized and work as part of a team. I’m also an active member of the Aviation Science Club, where I participate in events, connect with fellow students, and engage in opportunities that promote professional development and community within our aviation program. As I look ahead, I hope to begin instructing at my current flight school after earning my CFI and CFII. I want to invest in the next generation of pilots, helping them grow not just in skill, but in confidence and character. I also plan to return to Alaska in the summers to fly floatplanes, where I can serve remote communities and contribute to the unique aviation culture that inspired me from the start. Leadership, to me, is about being steady, dependable, and intentional with the influence you have. I may not have thousands of flight hours yet, but I’m committed to leading with integrity, humility, and a heart for others. Aviation has given me so much, and I’m passionate about giving back, through teaching, serving, and flying with purpose.

My name is Ellah Wardell, and I am currently entering my third year at California Baptist University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Flight. I earned my private pilot certificate in April, 2024 and received my instrument rating on April 11, 2025. I’m now actively working toward my commercial certificate, multi-engine rating, and both my CFI and CFII. Aviation is not just a career path for me, it’s a passion and a platform to serve others and give back. I grew up in Alaska, where aviation is essential to everyday life. Watching floatplanes come and go from remote lakes and seeing pilots connect communities without road access inspired me early on. Those experiences didn’t just spark a love of flying, they taught me that aviation is about service, connection, and purpose. My long-term goal is to fly for the airlines, but my heart also lies in instruction and in returning to Alaska to fly floatplanes during the summer. I want to teach at my current flight school and eventually share my knowledge and experience with students and remote communities alike. Over the past few years, I’ve found other ways to give back. I regularly volunteer at my church by playing keyboard on the worship team, which has allowed me to serve through music and contribute to a meaningful environment for others. In 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to Cambodia on a two-week missions trip, where I assisted with outreach efforts and served alongside local ministries. That experience opened my eyes to the power of global service and deepened my desire to use aviation to reach and uplift others in tangible ways. I am also apart of the California Baptist University's Aviation science club, with is meant to connect students in the aviation community to help and encourage others in their flight training journey. At CBU I work for their flight ops center and I am a dispatcher there. I have learned a lot when it comes to the behind the sence of how a flight school runs and all work being put into it. My one-year plan includes completing my commercial and multi-engine training this summer, followed by earning my CFI and CFII during the academic year. I plan to begin flight instructing as soon as I’m certified, which will allow me to build hours while mentoring new pilots. My goal is to combine instruction with seasonal floatplane flying in Alaska, using my skills to support tourism, transportation, and community needs in my home state. Funding advanced flight training is a significant challenge, but I am committed to making it work through student loans, part-time work, and scholarships like this one. I have to pay for the flight school and tuition for school. The Fasiang Future of Flight Scholarship would not only relieve financial stress, it would support my vision to use aviation as a way to give back, teach, and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Even now, I strive to encourage and support fellow students, whether it's helping them study, sharing what I’ve learned, or simply being a reliable teammate. I hope to continue inspiring others through consistency, integrity, and service both on the ground and in the air. Aviation has given me direction and purpose, and I’m excited to keep pursuing this path with passion, excellence, and a heart to serve.

1. In the Alaskan summer of 2023, I had been flying in many airplanes with friends and family, and while flying one day with one of my friends, I decided that aviation was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to make it a career. I have always had a passion for aviation because of where I live and the way aviation brings life to our close-knit village in Alaska. 2. Safety is a huge part of aviation to me and especially since living in Alaska. In my lifetime, I have seen a number of friends pass away in the field of aviation due to the weather conditions that Alaska brings. Risk management, humble decision-making are huge factors. Pre-flighting and assessing all relevant factors, including weather conditions, aircraft performance, and possible hazards, are all fundamental in aviation planning. I need to ensure I am fit to fly mentally and physically and get proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. I will manage stress and fatigue mentally, recognizing that these factors can significantly impact decision-making and situational awareness. 3. A time when I faced a challenge in aviation was not having enough money to keep paying for flight school. Instead of giving up, I worked a whole summer to be able to keep going and achieve my ratings. I felt like I was falling behind and taking too long to achieve my ratings because of insufficient money. This pressure caused me a lot of stress, making my ability to fly less than proficient, and I thought that if I didn't do well in the lesson, I would waste money and fall behind. I learned not to compare myself to others; everyone works at a different pace when achieving all the different ratings. I needed to learn to enjoy the process, be content with where I was, and learn as much as possible from those around me. 4. I believe that my personality evokes determination, resolve, and the ability to stay focused on any task at hand. These attributes will serve me well as Pilot in Command or Co-Pilot. Currently I am determined in my studies to achieve more ratings needed to be a career pilot. I am determined to give back to the aviation community by eventually becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and helping others achieve their aviation goals. I am resolved in my commitment toward proper aviation protocol and airplane safety management. I believe the University I currently attend as a part 141 school is designed and proven to produce excellent pilots. My greatest strength, I believe, is to be able to stay focused during high workload cockpit environments. My current workload inside a highly populated area of flight is only training me to further these important skills as a pilot 5. As a woman in rural Alaska, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and barriers faced by individuals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds and those who live in rural areas while pursuing careers in aviation. This experience has fueled my passion to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and be an active mentor and support system for aspiring aviators in my community. As a woman in aviation, I know that representation matters. I will share my journey, challenges, and successes with others, empowering them to pursue their aviation goals. By demonstrating resilience, determination, and a willingness to help others, I aim to inspire more women and individuals from underrepresented communities to see themselves in aviation. I especially love bush flying, and would love to teach other individuals how to be safe with that type of flying, and also become more experienced in that area myself. 6.It is an honor to be able to apply for a scholarship in memory of Hannah. She represents everything in Alaska women’s aviation that I desire to strive for and achieve as she has demonstrated and taught to many pilots. Being a bush pilot as a woman in Alaska is, in my opinion, very inspiring to me. I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because of my dedication and passion for pursuing my aviation career. I already have my private pilot's license and am halfway through getting my instrument rating. This scholarship will be instrumental in helping me achieve my aviation goals by providing the financial support needed to continue my education and training without the burden of financial strain. It will enable me to pursue advanced certifications, such as finishing my instrument rating and starting a commercial pilot license, CFI, CFII, and Multi Engine, which are critical steps toward achieving my long-term goal of becoming a professional pilot. 7. I have been around aviation since I was six years old. I moved to a rural village in Alaska called Port Alsworth. Port Alsworth is basically two parallel gravel runways built around the town. There is no way in or out of the village except by plane. The only way to get food, mail, or supplies is by airplane, so aviation is a huge part of my community and most of Alaska. I work for an air taxi called Lake and Peninsula Airlines, and we fly all over southwest Alaska. In some places we fly to, we are the only way for the people in the villages to be able to go anywhere: to get the necessities to live. Being a part of this business and seeing how much aviation has impacted people in rural Alaska has given me the heart to fly and serve the people in Alaska.