The Second Annual Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship Katherine Tisch 1. My name is Katherine Tisch, and I am a 28-year-old Alaska Airlines flight attendant with a sincere devotion to becoming an Anchorage-based pilot for Alaska Airlines. I am currently working on my private pilot license. I have around 40 hours currently, and am doing my flight training at Blue River Aviation in Palmer, Alaska. I had started flying in February 2023, but was struggling with extreme financial hardship, working two jobs to make ends meet, and then my mother was hospitalized. I knew I had to take a break and that my focus was required elsewhere. However, the break really solidified that my path was destined for aviation. I thought about flying every day. I have a craving like no other to experience true Alaskan beauty from the sky. In early 2025, I made a plan to return to flight training, no matter what it would take. It was never a question of whether I would continue flight training; only what it would take to achieve this goal. Becoming a female commercial airline pilot is such a larger-than-life dream for me, and I knew I needed all the help and resources I could get. I started to apply for scholarships, and in March 2025, my hard work had paid off, and I won a significant flight training scholarship. I am the first recipient of the Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship. And still, even months later, words cannot express the sincere gratitude I have for being awarded this scholarship. It has not only eased my financial setback to continue flight training but also reminded me that I am capable of achieving my dreams with consistency, perseverance, and dedication. That my hard work and passion are being seen and recognized. After winning the scholarship, I have been flying on average about two times a week. I am very coordinated and have a solid understanding of what to do up in the sky. But my landings have been my learning hurdle. Although challenging, I still haven’t let it get me down. My landings are finally getting better, and I will solo here soon. 2. My dream is to become an Anchorage-based pilot for Alaska Airlines. I love the culture of the company, the passengers, and being based in Anchorage, you do a lot of flying within the state. As a flight attendant, I already have experience flying these routes, and it has solidified my conviction that this is truly what I want to do. I plan to achieve my goals by continuing my progress through applying for scholarships. When I am eligible, I will apply for the Step Grant for Alaskans. I take my flight training very seriously. Not only am I representing myself, but as the first recipient of the Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship, I am also representing Hannah and the legacy she left behind. I do think of her, and remind myself that I have to keep going on the more challenging days, because that’s what she did, and that’s what she would have done. I am going to achieve these goals by staying devoted to the goal of being a commercial airline pilot, enjoying the process, while also being consistent in my studies and flight training. If I were to win this scholarship, I would put this money towards my instrument rating, as I know it can be expensive. I do plan to continue my education at Blue River Aviation in Palmer, Alaska. I love doing my preflight and being able to look at Matanuska and Pioneer Peak. Flying to the Knik River Glacier, flying around my hometown has been so much fun. Blue River also has an impeccable reputation, and I have an established and positive relationship with my CFI. 3. I became an Alaska Airlines flight attendant in May of 2022. Although it is a significant achievement in my life, I didn’t feel this intense passion and click for the job itself like my other classmates did. I enjoy the aspect of being in the sky, the views from above, and the opportunities the job brings, but I knew I craved more. I had always planned on pursuing a higher education, just never knew what. During my childhood, I grew up with the harsh reality of addiction, and I have continued to watch the ones I love struggle. I used their examples of what not to do and avoided going down that path because I knew that I deserved a life that is full of joy, happiness, and adventure. In February of 2023, I had booked a discovery flight at Blue River Aviation in Palmer, Alaska, my hometown. I remember being so overly excited and happy when we took off. We flew to the Knik River Glacier, and it was incredible. I had this connection and a new viewpoint of the beauty that Palmer has to offer. I was so thrilled that the CFI who took me up said that my reaction to the flight was a reminder of why he got into aviation. When you’re deep into flight training, then become a CFI, chasing a dream that seems impossible, I think you can forget your reasons why. But that flight, with how passionate and over the moon I was about seeing the world from above, reminded him of his own reason why. When we landed back at PAAQ, I immediately signed up without a second glance. I had finally figured out what I was meant to do with this life. I was meant to become a pilot. And ever since then, I refuse ever to go back. 4. The biggest lesson that I have learned from aviation is that personal sacrifice is required to achieve goals. I hold myself to a high standard, and I believe I can be superhuman. However, many challenges arose on my journey to becoming a pilot, which include working two very demanding customer service jobs, trying to balance a healthy and normal personal life, all while finding time to complete flight training. I am the type of person who thinks she can do it all, but I have learned this summer that with this dream, it comes first, and something has to give. It needs all of my attention, focus, and dedication. My flight training experience has brought me peace, happiness, and has solidified my love for flying over the great state of Alaska. Even on my most stressful days, I can disconnect when we take off out of PAAQ. I often tell my CFI that I am so happy to be learning and flying, as it serves as the best outlet of my life. I have clearly identified what is required to achieve my dreams. With everything in life, even the best victories can be won through trial and error. I have taken steps to balance my work-life load and have made flight training my main priority. Aviation has shown me that discipline isn’t optional—and the lesson extends far beyond the cockpit. 5. The personal qualities that were instilled in me at a young age have helped me on this journey to become a commercial airline pilot. I was raised playing competitive hockey, a team sport that highlights hard work, commitment, and personal accountability. I have taken these characteristics and applied them into adulthood in every employment role and have soared with my hard work and dedication. This motivation has presented itself in my desire to continue my education, despite the challenges it creates. I have worked two jobs to make ends meet since May of 2022. I have applied for multiple scholarships, all while balancing flight training. In my professional life, I have always taken work very seriously and thrive on discipline and responsibility. To highlight my ability to balance responsibility and discipline, I’ve been a manager for multiple locations of a major coffee shop business in Alaska, only to take a break when I spent 6 weeks in Seattle training to become a flight attendant. This required me to train vigorously for long hours and taught me how to remain calm under pressure and become skilled in emergency and safety procedures that the FAA requires. These qualities not only make me a strong candidate for the Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship but also truly reflect the pilot I aspire to be. As a pilot, it will be my goal to be responsible, skilled, and dedicated to safety and excellence. 6. Being a lifelong Alaskan has taught me that opportunities are often few and far between because of the limited resources available in the last frontier. While I am fortunate to have been raised in the Mat-Su Valley, I have always remained empathetic and aware of the challenges Alaskans who live in rural villages experience daily. One of these setbacks is that in these communities, they have a high percentage of crime, drug, and alcohol abuse. From personal experience, I know how difficult it can be to see the bigger picture when you’re deep in the trenches of your loved one's choices. My Uncle once told me, “Katherine, the only difference between a rut and a grave is the width and depth you set yourself in.” I think of what he said often, and apply it to my day-to-day life, especially when chasing this dream, when on some days it seems impossible. I would love to share my success and help inspire others. When I become a bush pilot and working towards gaining my hours, I will not just be serving as a link to connect these remote communities, but also aim to serve as a role model for future generations. My goal is to be present in communities by mentoring younger people. I want to encourage others to dream big, follow their dreams, and instill in them that when you follow your heart, anything is possible. Most importantly, I want to highlight to them that your current circumstances do not define your future, just the choices that you make. I hope to prove that through my own personal battles, aviation isn’t just a career, but a true path to empowerment. The sky isn’t just the limit; it is a horizon waiting to be reached. I want to help others gain the confidence to build a beautiful life in the Alaskan skies. 7. Even though I am a lifelong Alaskan, I never take for granted the beauty, adventure, and the unique culture that the last frontier provides. Being involved in the aviation community has given me a new perspective and appreciation for this great state I get to call my home. Aviation for me means I get to explore my home state to destinations I would’ve never been able to see before. Being a flight attendant, it was eye opening to me how much I was missing. Seeing the mountains, the diverse terrain, the turquoise blue rivers, and the oceans. And my personal favorite, a gorgeous sunrise and sunset from the sky, was one of my reasons to join aviation. We truly live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is a treasure and honor to be able to call myself an Alaskan. Aviation in Alaska presents unique challenges compared to the rest of the United States. Communities here rely solely on smaller aircraft to help connect communities and drop off essential supplies, often through remote airports with minimal resources. That alone shows how important it is to be on top of your training due to the quickly changing and often inclement weather, rugged terrain, and how the reality of assistance in these small villages isn’t always promised. As a pilot, one truly needs to be self-sufficient in emergency procedures and be very confident in one's training. Alaska has the highest rate of pilots in the nation, with the shocking average of 1 in 78 people, more than 9,100 licensed pilots; I think this statistic shows how aviation here in Alaska is so essential, even in just our day-to-day life. 8. In closing, my passion for aviation is not only fueled by my own personal growth, but by the desire to inspire other women to chase their dreams. Only 4%-6% of commercial airline pilots are women, and I can’t wait to be included in that number. As a woman in this male-dominated field, I am ready to work hard, lead by example with resilience, and strive to inspire the next generation of aviators. Being the first recipient of the Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship has been an honor that has been profoundly life-changing. It truly is one of the most significant accomplishments of my life to represent the legacy that Hannah has created. If I were fortunate enough to be selected for a second time, it would not only aid my education, but to help inspire others as Hannah did. People in the airport, pilots who fly charter planes out in western Alaska, and other young female pilots have recognized me for being the first recipient of the Hannah Dollick Memorial Scholarship. I wear this victory as a badge of honor, beaming with pride. Being the first recipient continues to push me towards excellence. Hannah was a true aviator with the utmost highest reputation, and being associated with her name has been such a privilege. I fly and think of her often, and persevere to become a great pilot like she was. She was well respected, educated, and knew what she was doing. Although aviation is amazing and comes with so many pros, the dangers that come with flying are high. I am committed to becoming the kind of aviator who not only flies safely and skillfully but also uplifts others along the way.