AEA announced the names of 26 students who won over $100,000 in scholarships for the 2005/2006 school year at the 48th Annual Convention and Trade Show. The winners are as follows:

• Leon Harris/Les Nichols Memorial Scholarship to Spartan School of Aeronautics: Aubrey Brandt of Kearney, NE (pictured below)
• Tom Taylor Memorial Scholarship to Spartan School of Aeronautics: John Ewers of Willow Springs, MO
• Thomas J. Slocum Memorial Scholarship to Westwood College of Aviation Technology: Jordan Green of Salisbury, MO
• Thomas J. Slocum Memorial Scholarship to Westwood College of Aviation Technology: George Kidder III of Fort Collins, CO
• Thomas J. Slocum Memorial Scholarship to Westwood College of Aviation Technology: Colonel J. Staheli of St. George, UT
• L-3 Avionics Systems Scholarship: Thor Peterson of Portland, OR
• Bendix/King Avionics Scholarship: Rennee Lapa of Chicago, IL
• Garmin Scholarship: David Deyoe of Daytona Beach, FL
• Lee Tarbox Memorial Scholarship: Zachary Lewis of Salina, KS
• Mid-Continent Instruments Scholarship: Charles Krugger of Erie, PA
• Plane & Pilot/Garmin Scholarship: Mark Neal of Indianapolis, IN
• Sporty’s/Cincinnati Avionics: Brian Popeck of Randolph, NJ
• Field Aviation Co. Inc. Scholarship: Greg Needoba of Burnaby, BC, Canada
• Johnny Davis Memorial Scholarship: Wallace Wenninger of Oshkosh, WI
• Bud Glover Memorial Scholarship: Randolph Cordell of Aurora, CO
• Lowell Gaylor Memorial Scholarship: Daniel Ploof of Burlington, VT
• David Arver Memorial Scholarship: Kennet Langdon of La Palma, CA
• Dutch & Ginger Arver Memorial Scholarship: Jay Hromadka of Weimar, TX
• Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship (aviation management): Krista Wise of Ostrander, OH
• Kei Takemoto Memorial Scholarship: Alan Alpert of Westminster, CO
• Kei Takemoto Memorial Scholarship: Michael Barnes of Houston. TX
• Kei Takemoto Memorial Scholarship: Andrew Steimel of Dekalb, IL

The AEA Educational Foundation awards scholarships to students desiring to pursue a career in the general aviation maintenance/electronics industry through technical training and certification at an educational institution. The intent of these scholarships is to identify and reward those individuals who best exemplify the qualities that lead to success in the aviation industry. The Foundation believes that superior academic performance in high school is not the only measure of a students aptitude for success. Included in the criteria for selection of these scholarships are those human qualities that are difficult to grade, but are always a component of personal achievement, success and good citizenship.

The AEA Educational Foundation was started in 1990 to enhance, promote and secure the future of aviation and the AEA by furthering the education of students, technicians, members of the AEA and others as determined by aviation industry needs. Since its inception the AEA scholarship program has awarded $850,000.

Scholarships are also available to AEA members working towards earning their private pilot’s license. Flying magazine sponsors these two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each. Winners also received gifts to help them in their flight training. GARMIN has donated portable GPS units for each of the winners, and David Clark has donated aviation headsets. This year’s winners are:

• David Bates of Capital Avionics in Tallahassee, FL
• Derek Tysdal of Way-Point Avionics in Fargo, MN

The Member’s Scholarship Program is offered to dependents of those who work for an AEA member company pursuing a career in any field. This year’s winners were:

• Gene Baker Memorial Scholarship: Kate Pepper, who’s mother Linda Pepper works for Garmin in Olathe, KS
• Jim Cook Honorary Scholarship: Jilliane Ingersoll, who’s father William Ingersoll works for Elliott Aviation in East Moline, IL   

Requests for complete scholarship packages for the 2006/2007 school year can be made after September 1, 2005 online at www.aea.net. The deadline for returning the applications is February 15, 2006. Scholarships will be awarded during Opening Ceremonies at the 2006 AEA Convention and Trade Show in Palm Springs, CA.

FMI: www.aea.net