San Francisco, Oct. 28, 2013 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) offers a wide range of scholarships that encourage young people to seek careers in business aviation. Last week at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013), five students were recognized for receiving the UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship at a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m.
The UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship is named for the founder of Aviation Personnel International (API), who has been active in the aviation community for decades, and has served many times as the local committee chair of NBAA’s Convention.
The following five college students studying aviation-related curricula at NBAA and University Aviation Association (UAA) member institutions have been selected to receive this year’s Barden scholarship:
- Savannah Bonty is a sophomore studying air traffic control management and aviation business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has spent time working with People to People in Costa Rica as an ambassador, as well as a representative in the Global Youth Program. In his post-graduate career, Bonty hopes to help manage airports more efficiently.
- Calvin Hendrickson (pictured), a junior at Western Michigan University, is studying aviation maintenance technology and works at the university’s airport. He also is a member of Alpha Eta Rho and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association. Hendrickson hopes to pursue a career in aviation maintenance after graduating in December.
- Tyler Hutchinson is a sophomore at the University of Dubuque studying business aviation and operations, and he worked at Dubuque Regional Airport. Following graduation, Hutchinson looks forward to gaining a variety of aviation experiences.
- Ashley Thorsen is a sophomore at Hampton University pursuing a degree in aviation management, air traffic control specialist. After deciding to get her pilot’s license and taking weather classes at a community college, Thorsen realized her interest in air traffic control, and she now interns at the terminal facility at Raleigh-Durham TRACON.
- Jannesar Vahid is a junior at Kent State University pursuing a degree in aeronautics, flight technology. He has wanted to be a pilot since the age of 10, and upon arriving in Ohio as an Iranian refugee in 2009, he was thrilled for the opportunity to enroll in Kent State’s flight program.API’s President and CEO Sheryl Barden was at the press conference to congratulate Calvin Hendrickson after he was presented with his scholarship in person.Apply for the 2014 scholarship
A completed application package, which includes application form, one essay, one transcript, one resume and one letter of recommendation, must be received by NBAA no later than Nov. 1, 2013, to be considered for the scholarship. See application for full details.For more information on the Janice K. Barden scholarship, click here.