Spending my summers at EAA AirVenture is where my passion for aviation truly took off. Being surrounded by aircraft, pilots, and a community that shared the same excitement for flying made it feel like something I wanted to be part of - not just watch from the ground. That early exposure pushed me to start training and fully commit to this path, leading me to earn my private pilot's license on September 14, 2023, less than two months after my seventeenth birthday. From that point on, aviation became more than just an interest - it became the career I've been working toward ever since. Since then, my journey has been defined by persistence and determination. Flight training has not always been easy. There were moments when my abilities were questioned and times when progress felt slow, but those challenges only strengthened my drive. Instead of letting self-doubt hold me back, I pushed forward - earning my instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate and multi-engine rating by the age of 19. Each step required discipline, resilience, and a commitment to improving, even when it was difficult. Today, I am an Aviation Management student at Fox Valley Technical College while working as a Certified Flight Instructor. My degree allows me to understand the business side of aviation, which I believe is just as important as flying itself. At the same time, instructing has given me the opportunity to give back - something I am very passionate about. Helping students achieve their goals and build confidence in the cockpit has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey so far. Beyond instructing, I stay actively involved in the aviation community. As a volunteer pilot for the EAA Young Eagles program, I've had the privilege of giving introductory flights to over 20 kids, many of whom were experiencing aviation for the first time. Seeing their excitement reminds me of where my own journey began and reinforces my desire to inspire the next generation to pursue aviation. I am currently working toward my Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) rating and also plan to pursue my Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) rating, continuing to build both my experience and my ability to teach others. My long-term goal is to become a professional pilot in either the corporate or airline sectors, while remaining actively involved in mentorship and outreach within the aviation community. Everything I've accomplished so far has come from staying committed, even when the path wasn't easy. From earning my first certificate to now instructing others, I've continued to push forward and take advantage of every opportunity to grow. This scholarship would not only support my continued training but also help me keep building toward a career that I am fully invested in and excited to pursue long-term. Thank you for your consideration!

Some of my most defining moments in aviation haven't come from perfect flights, but from the ones that tested me the most. Sitting in the left seat as a young student pilot, I remember wondering if I was truly capable of doing something that demanded so much precision, discipline and confidence. Those moments of self-doubt didn't push me away from aviation - they made me want it even more. My journey through flight training has not been a straight path. Like many aspiring pilots, I have faced setbacks - lessons that required extra time, maneuvers that took longer to master, and moments where progress felt slower than I had hoped. There were even moments when my ability to advance in training was questioned. Rather than giving up and letting doubt define me, those experiences became a driving force. I used it as motivation to work even harder and ultimately prove to myself that I was capable of succeeding in a demanding field. Instead of discouraging me, those moments strengthened my determination and taught me how to persevere under pressure. Flying has shaped who I am in ways that go beyond earning certificates and ratings. From achieving my private pilot license at 17 to earning my instrument, commercial, Certified Flight Instructor, and multi-engine ratings by 19, each step has required persistence and the willingness to push through challenges. There are no shortcuts in aviation, and that responsibility has made me more disciplined, resilient, and focused in every aspect of my life. Those struggles have also made me a better instructor. I understand what it feels like to sit in the cockpit and doubt yourself, which allows me to connect with my students on a deeper level. As a flight instructor, I strive to create an environment where students feel supported while still being challenged. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a student overcome the same obstacles I once faced and gain confidence in their abilities. My passion for aviation extends beyond instruction. Through my involvement with the EAA Young Eagles program as a volunteer pilot, I've had the opportunity to give over 20 kids their first flight experience. Watching their excitement reminds me of my own early memories attending EAA AirVenture, where my love for aviation first took off. Those moments are powerful - they have the ability to spark a lifelong passion, just as they did for me. Inspiring the next generation, especially young women, to pursue aviation is something I am passionate about continuing throughout my career. Aviation has also shaped my future goals. While I aspire to become a professional pilot in the corporate or airline sectors, my education in Aviation Management has given me a deeper understanding of the industry as a whole. I've learned that success in aviation isn't just about flying - it's about understanding the business, the people, and the operations behind it. This perspective will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the field throughout my career. Aviation hasn't just impacted my life - it has defined it. It has challenged me, shaped my character, and given me the opportunity to inspire others. What started as a dream has grown into a purpose. Whether I'm helping a student overcome self-doubt in the cockpit or introducing a young person to aviation for the first time, I am driven by the impact this profession allows me to have. I'm committed to continuing to give back to the aviation community and to becoming the kind of mentor and role model I once needed when I was learning to believe in myself.

Similar to Kyle, my love of aviation began at a young age. I have been fascinated with planes since I was a little girl, and I've wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. I grew up fifteen miles south of the largest airshow in the world in Oshkosh, WI, and that is what sparked my love of aviation from a young age. Seeing all the aircraft fly over my house on their way to AirVenture and watching the airshow performers every summer made me realize there was nothing else I wanted to do. I took advantage of every opportunity I could growing up to get up in the air, and I officially started taking flight lessons when I was sixteen. I successfully passed my check ride and obtained my private pilot license this past September, less than two months after my seventeenth birthday. I am a high honor roll student and a three-sport athlete as well, so I'm continuing to build my flight hours as my schedule and the weather allows - I currently have 110 flight hours logged. Flying is contagious! I love the excitement I get from taking off, and I love the sense of accomplishment I feel upon a successful landing. I feel at home when I'm up in the airplane, and I can't imagine doing anything else as a career. I plan to attend Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, WI, this fall for their Aeronautics-Professional Pilot Training program. There, I will complete my instrument, multi-engine, commercial and flight instructor ratings. My career goal is to become a corporate or commercial airline pilot, but I am leaning towards the corporate aviation path. I did not grow up in an aviation family, but my neighbor is a corporate pilot, and he has been a huge source of inspiration for me in my aviation journey and has been a great role model and mentor. I have worked as a line technician at my local airport for the last year and a half, so that has also given me valuable airport operations experience and the opportunity to network with a wide variety of pilots, including doing some corporate aviation job shadows. I am a member of Key Club at school, which has provided me the opportunity to volunteer for numerous community activities including distributing Christmas gifts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, packing meals for Feed My Starving Children and making blankets for Project Linus. I have also volunteered for numerous activities in my school district including reading to local kindergarten students, running scoreboard at youth basketball tournaments and assisting the varsity basketball and softball coaches with running skills camps for youth girls in our district. My proudest accomplishment has been becoming a volunteer pilot for the EAA Young Eagles program, which introduces youth to aviation by providing them with a free plane ride. I volunteered for my first rally two weeks after getting my pilot license, and I've been blessed to be able to take four youth up on their first flight already. I will be volunteering for my next rally this coming June. I took my own first Young Eagles flight just four years earlier, so it means a lot to be able to give back to this program and share my passion for aviation with other kids. I would be honored to receive this scholarship in Kyle's memory, because it will allow me to continue working towards achieving my childhood dream of becoming a professional pilot while also sharing my passion for aviation with others. Thank you for your consideration!

I am interested in pursuing an aviation degree because I'm passionate about aviation, and I really can't imagine myself doing anything else! I grew up 15 miles south of the EAA grounds in Oshkosh, WI and being able to attend AirVenture every summer and watch the airshow performers really sparked my love of aviation. I remember the first time I saw the Thunderbirds perform at EAA in 2014 - that was the moment I knew I wanted to be a pilot! I have been pursuing my dream ever since - from going up on my first Young Eagles flight, to taking T-6 Texan & Huey helicopter rides at AirVenture, to taking multiple aerobatic flights - I have taken advantage of every opportunity I can to fly. I just love being able to see the world from a different point of view. A huge goal of mine was to get my private pilot license when I turned seventeen. I am proud to say that I passed my check ride and got my private pilot license on September 14th, 2023, less than two months after my 17th birthday! I accomplished this while being a high honor roll student, an active member of Key Club and an accomplished three-sport athlete at my school. Some of the volunteer activities I have participated in through Key Club include reading to local kindergartners, unloading trees at a local Christmas tree lot, sorting and distributing gifts for the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree project, packing meals for Feed My Starving Children and making blankets for Project Linus. I have also assisted my basketball and softball coaches with running youth skills camps. Outside of school, I am involved in many aviation-related activities. I work part-time at the Fond du Lac Skyport as an aviation line technician. I attended the GirlVenture camp at EAA in 2021 and 2022. I am a student member of AOPA and Women in Aviation International. I am an active member of EAA Chapter 572, where I assist in finding and arranging speakers for our monthly chapter meetings. I was also the recipient of the chapter's Ray Aviation scholarship last year, which helped fund my private pilot training. My proudest moment so far has been becoming a volunteer Young Eagle pilot. I had the opportunity to take four youth up on their first flight during my chapter's Young Eagle rally on September 30th, 2023. This was a full-circle moment for me as I had taken my first Young Eagles flight just four years prior. It was such an honor to be able to give back to the aviation community and share my passion for aviation with other young people, and I can't wait to volunteer at future rallies. After high school, I plan to attend Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, WI for their Professional Pilot Associate Degree program. I would like to work as a corporate or charter pilot, but I am open to any path as I continue learn, grow and make connections in the industry. Regardless of my path, I want to continue sharing my passion for aviation with young people, especially young females, and I ultimately hope that I can be a source of inspiration and encouragement to them. I feel that I have already proven my dedication to aviation, and this scholarship would be a huge help in allowing me to continue pursuing my dreams of becoming a professional pilot. I feel that I have a lot in common with Joseph, and it would truly be an honor to receive this scholarship in his memory.