user profile avatar

Lillian Burns

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am currently attending Fairmont State University’s Aviation Center of Excellence to become an airline transport pilot. My goal is to serve not only as a female pilot, but also as a responder in medical flights, disaster relief, and search and rescue missions. Aviation allows me to combine my love of flying with making a real difference in people’s lives. With purpose, passion, and heart, I aim to inspire others while serving my community.

Education

Fairmont State University

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Minors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

Princeton Senior High School

High School
2020 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Airlines/Aviation

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Cheerleading

      Varsity
      2021 – 20254 years

      Awards

      • Leadership Award
      • Outstanding Senior

      Arts

      • Princeton Senior High School

        Music
        Yes
        2023 – 2025

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Cheerleaders — Participant
        2022 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Shift — Member Motivator
        2024 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Participant
        2023 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Cheerleading — Participant
        2021 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Particpant
        2023 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Christian Church — Children's Church Leader
        2023 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Particpant
        2023 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Participant
        2022 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Participant
        2023 – 2025
      • Volunteering

        Honor Society — Organizational Leader
        2024 – 2025

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Kyle Rairdan Memorial Aviation Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds, but aviation seemed like a distant dream. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of engaging in experiences that have played a significant role in shaping my personal growth, particularly through mentoring and volunteering. Working with local community organizations to provide meals and essential items for shelters has given me a deeper understanding of compassion and the importance of giving back. I’ve also had the opportunity to collect supplies for shelters and rescue organizations, helping to promote the well-being of animals in need, which is a cause that is especially close to my heart. In addition to this, mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about patience, encouragement, and leadership. These experiences have shaped me into a more responsible and empathetic leader, and they’ve instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service and community support. I want to be a role model for girls and aviation plays powerful role. Historically, aviation has been male dominated. When girls from southern WV see women pilots, especially those who also came from small towns, it expands what they believe is possible. A girl who sees someone like her in a cockpit begins to imagine herself there too, just like I did. I am currently attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an pilot. Earning my Private Pilot License in April 2026 was one of the most exciting and rewarding moments of my life. What once felt like a distant dream became a reality through hard work and dedication. It is my goal to become a successful female pilot and provide emergency response and disaster relief during emergencies, as well as participate in airlift support in search and rescue missions. Being a pilot will allow me the opportunity to make a significant difference and enhance my community’s resilience, safety, and well-being. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Aviation in the medical field has a direct impact on saving lives and being able to serve others in a time of vulnerability is powerful. I have a huge desire to make a difference in the lives of others and being a medical flight pilot would allow me the opportunity to help people in some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether transporting people from an accident scene to receive life-saving medical care, transporting medical supplies, or transferring organs for transplant, aviation directly impacts survival and recovery of others. Aviation in the medical field would allow me to combine my love of flying and contribute to the health and well-being of others. I want to be remembered as a skilled pilot who logged thousands of hours in the sky, while inspiring others to take flight with purpose, passion, and heart. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them
      Jeannine Schroeder Women in Public Service Memorial Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds, but aviation seemed like a distant dream. For many low-income areas of WV, career options can feel limited to industries like coal mining or service work. Aviation provides a different pathway. Earning an aviation degree for someone from a rural area can completely change their future. For girls especially, aviation plays an even more powerful role. Historically, aviation has been male dominated. When girls from WV see women pilots, especially those who also came from small towns, it expands what they believe is possible. A girl who sees someone like her in a cockpit begins to imagine herself there too, just like I did. I am currently attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an airline transport pilot. While at Fairmont State University, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA while actively joining clubs and organizations that support my growth in aviation. In addition to my academic and extracurricular success, I have completed solo flights and a cross country, marking important milestones in my flight training. I am becoming more excited each day as I continue working toward additional certifications and ratings. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals, especially by introducing them to aviation and STEAM related opportunities has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about patience, encouragement, and leadership. Sharing my passion for aviation and showing students that careers in this field are attainable has allowed me to inspire confidence and curiosity in others. These experiences have shaped me into a more responsible and empathetic leader, and they’ve instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service, community support, and giving back through aviation. In rural communities, one person pursuing aviation can shift an entire mindset, showing that dreams can reach beyond county lines, inspiring younger students to work harder in school, explore math and science, and believe in long-term goals. Aviation doesn’t just change one life. It can uplift families, inspire others, and empower the next generation of girls to aim higher than they ever thought possible. My goal is to continue building flight hours and successfully earn my remaining certifications and ratings, including my commercial pilot certificate and flight instructor ratings. I want to become an airline pilot, flying for a major airline. I hope to give back to the aviation community by mentoring aspiring pilots, especially young women from rural backgrounds, showing them that a career in aviation is achievable no matter where you are from. I want to show others that they too can succeed in aviation and that being from a struggling rural area does not put limitations on their success. I want to use aviation to make a difference in my community through mentoring and inspiring others to dream big. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them.
      Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds. Aviation seemed like a distant dream. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of engaging in experiences that have played a significant role in shaping my personal growth, particularly through mentoring and volunteering. Working with local community organizations to provide meals and essential items for shelters has given me a deeper understanding of compassion and the importance of giving back. I’ve also had the opportunity to collect supplies for shelters and rescue organizations, helping to promote the well-being of animals in need, which is a cause that is especially close to my heart. In addition to this, mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about leadership. These experiences have instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service and community support. I am currently attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an pilot. It is my goal to become a successful female pilot and provide emergency response and disaster relief during emergencies, as well as participate in airlift support in search and rescue missions. Being a pilot will allow me the opportunity to make a significant difference and enhance my community’s resilience, safety, and well-being. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Aviation in the medical field has a direct impact on saving lives and being able to serve others in a time of vulnerability is powerful. I have a huge desire to make a difference in the lives of others and being a medical flight pilot would allow me the opportunity to help people in some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether transporting people from an accident scene to receive life-saving medical care, transporting medical supplies, or transferring organs for transplant, aviation directly impacts survival and recovery of others. Aviation in the medical field would allow me to combine my love of flying and contribute to the health and well-being of others. I want to be remembered as a skilled pilot who logged thousands of hours in the sky, while inspiring others to take flight with purpose, passion, and heart. Receiving this scholarship would help me further my education and follow my dream of becoming a successful pilot. Aviation certification is very expensive, and I need financial assistance to complete the training and requirements. My parents’ income exceeds the limit for federal college assistance, but their income is not sufficient to cover the costs of flight fees, certifications, and equipment; therefore, I will have to take out federal student loans and private loans to attend college. I am responsible for financing my own education, while also working a part-time job to support myself. This scholarship would allow me to dedicate myself to my studies and academic goals with less financial burden while attending school. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them.
      Ali Safai Memorial Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds, but aviation seemed like a distant dream. For many low-income areas of WV, career options can feel limited to industries like coal mining or service work. Aviation provides a different pathway. Earning an aviation degree for someone from a rural area can completely change their future. For girls especially, aviation plays an even more powerful role. Historically, aviation has been male dominated. When girls from WV see women pilots, especially those who also came from small towns, it expands what they believe is possible. A girl who sees someone like her in a cockpit begins to imagine herself there too, just like I did. I am currently attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an airline transport pilot. While at Fairmont State University, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA while actively joining clubs and organizations that support my growth in aviation. In addition to my academic and extracurricular success, I have completed solo flights and a cross country, marking important milestones in my flight training. I am becoming more excited each day as I continue working toward additional certifications and ratings. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals, especially by introducing them to aviation and STEM related opportunities has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about patience, encouragement, and leadership. Sharing my passion for aviation and showing students that careers in this field are attainable has allowed me to inspire confidence and curiosity in others. These experiences have shaped me into a more responsible and empathetic leader, and they’ve instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service, community support, and giving back through aviation. In rural communities, one person pursuing aviation can shift an entire mindset, showing that dreams can reach beyond county lines, inspiring younger students to work harder in school, explore math and science, and believe in long-term goals. Aviation doesn’t just change one life. It can uplift families, inspire others, and empower the next generation of girls to aim higher than they ever thought possible. My goal is to continue building flight hours and successfully earn my remaining certifications and ratings, including my commercial pilot certificate and flight instructor ratings. I want to become an airline pilot, flying for a major airline. I hope to give back to the aviation community by mentoring aspiring pilots, especially young women from rural backgrounds, showing them that a career in aviation is achievable no matter where you are from. I want to show others that they too can succeed in aviation and that being from a struggling rural area does not put limitations on their success. I want to use aviation to make a difference in my community through mentoring and inspiring others to dream big. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them.
      Koehler Family Trades and Engineering Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds. Aviation seemed like a distant dream. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of engaging in experiences that have played a significant role in shaping my personal growth, particularly through mentoring and volunteering. Working with local community organizations to provide meals and essential items for shelters has given me a deeper understanding of compassion and the importance of giving back. I’ve also had the opportunity to collect supplies for shelters and rescue organizations, helping to promote the well-being of animals in need, which is a cause that is especially close to my heart. In addition to this, mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about patience, encouragement, and leadership. These experiences have shaped me into a more responsible and empathetic leader, and they’ve instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service and community support. I am currently attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an pilot. It is my goal to become a successful female pilot and provide emergency response and disaster relief during emergencies, as well as participate in airlift support in search and rescue missions. Being a pilot will allow me the opportunity to make a significant difference and enhance my community’s resilience, safety, and well-being. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Aviation in the medical field has a direct impact on saving lives and being able to serve others in a time of vulnerability is powerful. I have a huge desire to make a difference in the lives of others and being a medical flight pilot would allow me the opportunity to help people in some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether transporting people from an accident scene to receive life-saving medical care, transporting medical supplies, or transferring organs for transplant, aviation directly impacts survival and recovery of others. Aviation in the medical field would allow me to combine my love of flying and contribute to the health and well-being of others. I want to be remembered as a skilled pilot who logged thousands of hours in the sky, while inspiring others to take flight with purpose, passion, and heart. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them.
      Tam and Betsy Vannoy Memorial Scholarship
      How amazing would it be to have an office with incredible views from around the world? A pilot has that! Growing up in the hills and hollers of southern West Virginia I had limited opportunities to connect with different cultures outside of my hometown. I often looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be among the clouds. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of engaging in experiences that have played a significant role in shaping my personal growth, particularly through mentoring and volunteering. Working with local community organizations to provide meals and essential items for shelters has given me a deeper understanding of compassion and the importance of giving back. I’ve also had the opportunity to collect supplies for shelters and rescue organizations, helping to promote the well-being of animals in need, which is a cause that is especially close to my heart. In addition to this, mentoring and supporting the incredible youth in my community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. Helping young people work toward their academic and personal goals has not only brought me joy, but has also taught me valuable lessons about patience, encouragement, and leadership. These experiences have shaped me into a more responsible and empathetic leader, and they’ve instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service and community support. I am attending Fairmont State University's Aviation Center of Excellence to become an airline transport pilot. Since attending Fairmont State, I have actively engaged in aviation-related activities, including membership in Alpha Eta Rho, Women in Aviation, Professional Pilots of Tomorrow, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Ninety-Nines. I hope to continue becoming more involved and actively take on leadership roles in these organizations as I further pursue my passion for aviation. It is my goal to become a successful female pilot and provide emergency response and disaster relief during emergencies, as well as participate in airlift support in search and rescue missions. Being a pilot will allow me the opportunity to make a significant difference and enhance my community’s resilience, safety, and well-being. I feel as if my genuine love for aviation can make a difference in the lives of others. Aero-medical services play a crucial role in transporting critically ill or injured patients when time of the essence. Aviation in the medical field has a direct impact on saving lives and being able to serve others in a time of vulnerability is powerful. I have a huge desire to make a difference in my community and being a medical flight pilot would allow me the opportunity to help people in some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether transporting people from an accident scene to receive life-saving medical care, transporting medical supplies, or transferring organs for transplant, aviation directly impacts survival and recovery of others. Aviation in the medical field would allow me to combine my love of flying and contribute to the health and well-being of my community, family, and friends. Thank you for considering my application. I may be from a small town, but my goals are sky-high, and with your support, I will reach them.