Two Flight Students Get Big Help In Paying For Studies

For the eight year in a row the North Jersey Chapter of the Ninety-Nines has awarded flight training scholarships to New Jersey pilots. 

The purpose of the Dodie Riach Memorial Scholarships is to promote general aviation in New Jersey, particularly in the North Jersey area, and to ease the path for pilots in their flight training endeavors. This scholarship is offered to all pilots, male or female, who show enthusiasm and desire to complete their training. Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and the recipients are selected on the basis of their appropriateness of goals, expectations, and relative need.

The recipients of $1800 flight training awards for 2003 are Brenda Bannon of Newton, Edson Jerez of Newark, and Robyn Zeek of Succasunna. 

Bannon is a student pilot currently working towards her private pilot license at Sussex and Trinca airports.  She is a member of the student pilot (Sixty-Sixes) branch of the North Jersey Chapter, MAPA (Mid-Atlantic Pilots Association), and ASAA (American Society of Aviation Artists). In the past she has worked at several NJ airports in order to make money for her flight lessons. She is a single mother of three children and her oldest son is a private pilot. Bannon looks forward to continuing her training once licensed by obtaining an instrument rating, and hopes to combine her artistic talents with her passion for aviation.

Jerez is a private pilot with a single engine land rating. He began taking flight lessons when in high school and was the first student to solo from the aerospace program at his school.  He had recently come with his parents to the United States from Guatemala.  He is currently enrolled in the Mercer County Community College Aviation Technology program and is working on his commercial license and instrument rating. Jerez commutes four days a week from Newark to Trenton just to fly and attend college. His ultimate goal is to become a professional pilot.

 Zeek is a student pilot and a member of the Sixty-Sixes, EAA, AOPA, WIA (Women in Aviation), and is the Vice President of Aviation Explorer Post 107. She volunteers at many aviation events, especially those involving young people. Zeek is a senior in high school, a varsity athlete and a member of several extracurricular program. She is doing her flight training at Morristown Airport along with working at the flight school to help pay for her lessons.  She hopes to become a member of the Air Force and a commercial pilot.

FMI: www.nj99.com