Scholarship Winner Alyssa Mae's Application Essay

We are so excited to present to you the application essays from the two Girls With Wings Summer Scholarship Winners!

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Alyssa Mae is the recipient of our $500 Dreams Take Flight Training Scholarship.

This is Alyssa Mae's cover letter. It is so indicative of her enthusiasm we've decided to share it with you.

Are you looking for someone whose life's passion is aviation? Someone who has her goals set and is dedicated to flying? Someone who puts two hundred percent into everything she does and never stops trying? If so, then I may be the person you're looking for.

I have loved aircraft since I was little and have wanted to become a licensed pilot since I was ten years old. My dreams would come true if I earned my pilot's license! I am trying inexplicably hard to achieve my goals. I do everything from graphic design to house cleaning. I even set up a pilot's license campaign on a website. Cost is my biggest obstacle, definitely not my motivation.

I will do everything I can do gain experience in aviation. Recently I've attended Women Soar, Air Academy, and Space Camp on full scholarships. Currently, I am a Cliff Robertson Intern at EAA Air Air Academy doing everything from teaching kids about aviation to actually flying myself. As I walk around the AirVenture Museum or see the planes taking off at Pioneer Airport, I want to earn my pilot's license more than anything. As time goes on, my passion for flying only seems to get stronger and I love to share my passion with others.

As for my goals, I'm somewhat undecided. The only thing concrete right now is my desire to earn my pilot's license. Recently I've been considering attending MIT to major in Aerospace Engineering and minor in Chinese. I've also been thinking about flying corporate but I like doing aerobatic maneuvers as well; I promise you though; it will be a career in aviation!

I would be extremely grateful if you considered me for the Dreams Take Flight Scholarship. My future doesn't exist without aviation in it. Thank you so much for taking your time to read my letter and application, it really means a lot to me that there are people in this world who are willing to help me achieve my dreams. And one day, I hope I can help others too.

And this is Alyssa Mae's essay:

My future could not exist without aviation in it. When I say that, one hundred percent of my heart can go into those words. Ever since I was little, I can remember being mesmerized by airplanes and helicopters. I could still feel the same joy and excitement that aviation brought to me over ten years ago and my passion has only gotten stronger with time. Currently, my plan to get my pilot's license is what dominates most of my life at the moment. For almost a year now, I have been highly devoted to seeking ways to earn it. In April of 2012 I set up an internet campaign with a man I met on Career day at my school. He is also a private pilot and helped me set up a program through which I have earned almost $1000 towards my pilot's license. Also, I am earning some flight time at my job as an intern at EAA. (Which I will explain further on.) But even with all of this, it's less than half of what a pilot's license would be. I'm still working on not only my hours, but the money I need to get the hours. Once I get my pilot's license, I'm not exactly sure what my future aspirations will be. Recently, my goals have shifted to attending MIT and majoring in Aerospace Engineering or to flying corporately. Even though my goals often change, I'm positive my future will be in the field of aviation.

I would absolutely love to become a role model to anyone who is passionate about aviation. Though much volunteer work, I have developed a love of helping others and my friends and family see me as the "optimistic one." Each day at my job I meet young kids who are exploring aviation, and I love to share my passion with them. It would truly mean a lot to me if I could convince others to follow their dreams in aviation or anything else for that matter. I say this because role models have had a huge influence on me. When I attended Women Soar, it was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I met so many female pilots who once strived for the same goals as I do, and to hear their success really made a difference in my life. They made me become more determined and motivated that ever before. And, because of that I would like to do the same for any children with a dream. I needed people to stand behind me, to make me believe. And I am more than willing to show others what they can achieve.

I'm a bit unsure where my desire, my ambition, or my motivation comes from. But each day I wake up, I strive to make each day better and I strive to make a difference. I have always been fascinated by the immense world of aviation, and that in itself inspires me. When I achieve something, it just motivates me to do more. But also, when I don't achieve something I still keep trying. As for my career path, I stay motivated because I dream of waking up and having a job that I love each day. I would like a job in aviation, what I'm most passionate about. And whether that turns out to be behind the controls as a pilot, or behind the scenes as an engineer; I'm not sure you can go wrong with any career in aviation. And now I'm very determined to become involved with Girls With Wings! I have to admit, I didn't know much about it until a year ago but since then, I truly think it's an incredible organization that I would love to be a part of. Just the fact that it has so much to offer girls like me makes me want to stay involved. Not just for my own benefit, but for the possibility it gives me to help others as well. For example, take one of your role models, Jill. She has helped me so much (probably more than she knows) and I would love to do the same for another girl.

For the longest time, I've been trying to become as involved as I can possibly be in aviation. It all started when I used to implore my parents to go to the airport when I was a toddler. Then because of that I was introduced to EAA's Young Eagles Days. Now, I try to attend Women Soar in 2010. There I made many connections and even eared the Ragged Edge Scholarship to Space Camp (which I attended in 2011)! Also, my local EAA chapter then sponsored me to attend EAA Air Academy in 2011. Through EAA I have become very close with certain people have been great mentors to me. I've also accomplished a significant part of the Sporty's Online course given to me through EAA/Sporty's. On another note, I am a member of WAI and AOPA. I attend their summits and events when they are close by. And currently, I've earned myself a position at EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the whole summer as a "Cliff Robertson Work Experience" Intern; which I am ecstatic about! Not only do I get to work at the Air Academy, but I work at the AirVenture Museum, AirVenture, and even get to fly! It is the perfect job for me at the moment. And lastly, for my senior year, my high school has agreed to give me credit for an internship at a local airport.Even though, with all of the amazing experiences I have had so far in aviation; it still does not help me scale my biggest obstacle: the cost of flight training. Sure I may have gone to camps and had experiences; but the $100+ a lesson still awaits me. My parents are really struggling at the moment financially; we barely live paycheck to paycheck. Neither of them are at all connected to the field of aviation, so it's all up to me. I'm not the girl whose dad is a pilot and is best friends with the CFI at the local airport. My parents support me and my dreams; but I need that extra help. And I'm applying for this scholarship because I genuinely need help; not because I don't want to try. I'm trying the hardest I can to earn money for a pilot's license. In my free time I spend countless hours on graphic design (videos, brochures, etc), cleaning houses, or baby-sitting to earn some cash. I also made an online campaign in which I do volunteer work in exchange for money I receive. I'm not one to settle for things handed down to me, I'm willing to work and to live up to whatever expectations I have to meet. The "Dreams Take Flight" scholarship would enable me to receive a good chunk of flying lessons and would give me a huge push toward achieving my license. It's exactly what I need to make my dreams come true. Right now, any amount can help me and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to soar.

Thank you for taking your time to read my essay. My true love is aviation and I really thank Girls With Wings for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my life long goals.

Scholarship Winner Meagan's Application Essay

We are so excited to present to you the application essays from the two Girls With Wings Summer Scholarship Winners!

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Meagan is the recipient of our $1000 Private Pilot Flight Training Scholarship.

My name is Meagan Gearin and I'm a student pilot at Pinnacle Aviation Academy, in Carlsbad, Ca. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree, in Political Science, in August, 2011. After I graduated college, I immediately enrolled in a Private Pilot ground school class and took my first discovery flight on September 21, 2011 (which is reflected in the copy of my logbook). After my discovery flight, I immediately fell in love with flying and have been committed to obtaining my Private Pilot Certificate ever since. 

I was initially inspired to get involved in aviation when I met a female First Officer for American Airlines. I never knew that becoming a pilot was a possibility for a woman until I met her in 2011. That is precisely why I want to become involved in the Girls With Wings organization and why I think it's so important for young girls to have female pilot role models. I think exposing girls to aviation, at a young age, will inform them that becoming a pilot is possible for a girl/teenager/woman. I didn't know becoming a pilot was possible until I was 27 years old because I didn't have a female pilot role model. I grew up in a non-aviation environment; therefore, I wasn't exposed to aviation as a young girl. 

I would love to inspire young girls to pursue a career in aviation. I think planting the seed of possibility is the first step in inspiring someone to pursue a goal or dream. I wish someone would have exposed me to aviation at a young age or would've brought the idea of flying an airplane to my attention. If someone had brought flying to my attention when I was a little girl, then I'm sure I would have become a pilot long ago. 

My plan for becoming involved in the Girls With Wings organization is to first create a blog on the GWW website, in order to inform the reader of what it's like to be a female pilot. I will share my lessons, how I feel, what I'm learning, and most importantly, spread the joy of flying and provide insight into the world of being a female pilot in command of an aircraft. Along with creating a blog, I will attend girls' club meetings at an elementary school. My best friend is a 5th grade teacher in Oceanside, Ca. She was the 2011 Teacher of the Year for Oceanside School District and was nominated for Teacher of the Year for San Diego County. Every school year she creates a Girls' Empowerment Club, which I think is the perfect outlet for exposing the Girls With Wings organization. My plan is to obtain the necessary resources, tools, and information, from the Girls With Wings organization, and relay that information to her 5th grade Girls' Empowerment Club. I will inform them about the Dreams Take Flight scholarship and, hopefully, inspire them to pursue a career in aviation. 

I'm relatively new to the entire world of aviation, so I'm working on networking and becoming more involved. I've recently become an associate member of the Ninety-Nines and a member of the Girls With Wings organization. 

I'm greatly in need of financial aid in pursuing my Private Pilot Certificate. I was working 60 hours a week, in order to pay for my lessons, up until the end of June, when I lost my second job. I'll be working 2 jobs again, beginning July 11th (I just a got hired as a flight dispatcher at Pinnacle Aviation Academy), and working 3 jobs beginning July 14th (I'll be working at the Del Mar race track as a server for the 6 week racing season). I'm working as hard as I can to make my dream of flying come true. 

I've provided a copy of my logbook and will be happy to provide more information if needed. As of today (6/30/12), I have logged a total of 65 hours of flight time and have flown all my required solo cross country and night flights. I still need to take the written exam, prepare for my end of course, do "mock" check rides, and take the actual check ride for my Private Pilot Certificate. These items combined will well exceed the $1,000 scholarship; however, having the peace of mind in knowing that I won't have to worry about the money, will allow me to completely focus on studying and preparing for my check ride. I'm 100% financially independent and money is always a concern for me, especially since my student loans for my Bachelor's Degree are due, as well. I'm progressing as quickly as I can and will continue to move forward until I've reached my overall goal of becoming a commercial or corporate pilot. 

Please note: Meagan successfully passed her checkride on July 21st and became a Private Pilot prior to the announcement of the award. Since expenses were still incurred after the close of the scholarship application window in pursuit of this rating, we are allowing her to apply the funds to training already received (up to $1000). She will still be submitting blog entries on her flight training experiences.

These are the happy beginnings we live for!

From Alaina, a Girls With Wings Spring 2012 Scholarship winner:

"Hello everyone, I'm back with exciting news! Sunday August 12th, I passed my check ride for my private pilot license! I took my exam with Martha Lunken, the editor of a column in the Flying magazine. In our part of town, she is almost a flying legend; Martha is one of those people that it seems everyone in the Ohio piloting community has heard about. 

Overall I would say my exam went very smoothly. I was a little nervous because I was not behind the controls of my Aeronca Champ, but over the past few months the little 150 and I had become well-acquainted enough that I could perform the maneuvers without a problem. Luckily for me, the winds were no greater than 6 knots and were blowing almost right down the runway at Red Stewart Airfield. However, I would say the greatest advantage I had was having Martha as a flight examiner; even though she had previously been part of the Federal Aviation Administration (more commonly referred to as the FAA) I was not intimidated in the least bit--except the fact that I was flying with Martha Lunken. THAT was pretty cool. Having the ground portion of the examination was more like a conversation about pertinent aviation information rather than a grilling for obscure facts and numbers. As for the flying portion, our headsets weren't compatible, but we still got in the air anyways. On our emergency landing check, we probably got within thirty feet of the ground before I could add power again (but no worries, we would have made it safely into the field!). 

Overall, it was a very neat experience. I am also relieved to have wrapped up my training before school started--whew! I wouldn't have been able to do it without Girls With Wings and the support from my friends and family. Thank you so much everyone for making my dreams come true!

Happy Flying!"

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Natalie's Final Scholarship Essay

The time has arrived - when we read the final essays of the Girls With Wings Spring Scholarship Winners and anxiously await the essays from the Summer Scholarship Winners (starting Sept 1st).

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

This is Natalie's final essay:

Aviation Dreams Do Come True
Written By: Natalie Campana

Never in my wildest dreams would I have awakened on my birthday with this hope and desire to finish my ticket! This is like an Olympic dream for me. I am thankful to God for blessing me with the knowledge, dedication and passion for this amazing accomplishment! I am also thankful for my husband who stood by me, my CFI instructor who is the best in the business, and my family and friends for their faith in me and encouragement to finish this long awaited goal! Every landing, I think about my late grandparents, Nun and Tut, flying TWA. I aim for the perfect landing each time since they always talked about those wonderful landings! In the fifth grade, I visited Pittsburgh International Airport back when you could shop, eat and watch the planes land. It was great since pilots would speak about their passion for aviation. I believe you should never give up on a dream! No matter how old or how tough, you can accomplish all things through God!

Bessie Coleman, "I refuse to take no for an answer."

You practice, practice and practice having faith in your Flight School and determination within yourself. Then, your Certified Flight Instructor signs you off. In a weird way, it is that same feeling when your Mom gives you the keys to the car. You are excited, yet, understand the responsibility, oath and dedication to be safe. You have to remember to always fly right and realize your learning has just begun.

As of August 6, 2012, I earned my Wings to fly, as a Private Pilot. My Private Pilot FAA Checkride was scheduled to start at 1500z (9:00am). Although, the weather at 2G2 was great VFR, the route and destination airport were IFR to Marginal VFR. Everything was ready to go! The preflight fueling was complete to the Pilot Operation Handbook (POH) yet, I kept hoping Weather Briefer could magically make the weather VFR from 2G2 to KFWQ. It did not work out. As I waited an hour to see the updated weather report, I contacted my DPE and we rescheduled for 2200z (5:00pm) since the outlook forecast showed a VFR forecast. During this time, I reviewed the PTS standards, mentally flew in my head and just relaxed. At 2100z (4:00pm), I preflighted again and checked WX Briefer. Everything was a go! Now, it was my turn to showcase my knowledge and skills as a private pilot.

Amelia Earhart, "My ambition is to have this wonderful gift produce practical results for the future of commercial flying and for the women who may want to fly tomorrow's planes."

Now, I am flying the rental Cessna 172S G1000. It showcases the best advancements for general aviation. However, flying, navigating and communicating are still the same in any aircraft. I contacted Pittsburgh Approach for a flight advisory since flying under Airspace Bravo. This is smart flying to Rostraver, Pa. The early evening brought great weather to fly and many were out for their after-dinner flights. I watched a small aircraft fly under me to Delta calling their waypoint to transition for descent. It was a beautiful flight over.

Colonel Mary S. Fiek, "Aim high and follow your dream."

On the Private Pilot FAA Checkride, I was a little nervous. However, my DPE was professional and passionate about aviation. I felt honored to fly with a Captain of an airliner. He followed the PTS standards which I had prepared for this day. There were no surprises or anything out of the ordinary. I had the proper training and preparation. You just cannot be nervous. As a teacher, I tell my students going into competition, “You are ready. You have prepared and have fun.” This advice was given to me by my Certified Flight Instructor. The flight felt like two minutes. The final landing was my favorite, Emergency power off landings. This landing was my first to learn when I started and I just love it, especially adding an emergency descent. My CFI, Phillip Bender's favorite phrase which is so true, "Stabilized approaches make for predictable landings!" I landed, cleaned up the airplane, and followed shut down procedure from the POH. The DPE shook my hand and said, "Congratulations!"

The Flight home felt like a scene from a movie. It was beautiful, bright and amazing that I was no longer titled "Student Pilot"! I flew home using Flight Watch and switched to VFR once at the Ohio River listening to Pittsburgh Approach's directions. Then, I squawked 1200, I decided to circle around my old neighborhood. It seemed more magical today. Then, as I looked to my left, I realized the airport was three miles away and I flew home a private pilot.

At home, everyone was calling, texting or stopping over to hear the great news! As a celebration, I took my future lady aviators out for ice cream at everyone's favorite local ice cream shop. We talked about preflight, flying around the United States, weight and balance, geography, radio traffic and weather. They truly cannot wait to fly themselves.

I want to personally thank Girls with Wings and the 99's Antelope Chapter for making this scholarship possible. My goal is to continue inspiring other future lady aviators through activities hosted at 2G2 to aviation events from FAA, EAA and AOPA. Our EAA Chapter 859 was so fortunate to have guest speaker, CarolAnn Garrett visit 2G2. She flew in with the Mooney that traveled around the world. I invited my little cousins and neighbor twin girls who have a desire to become future lady aviators. We all were inspired by CarolAnn. She had a great multimedia presentation along with her wonderful books detailing in photographs and text from the three trips around the world to fund research for ALS. Her determination and dedication to let nothing stop her inspired me and the future lady aviators to never allow dreams to fade away. A few times I became frustrated. However, there is no great accomplishment that does not have a few bumps in the sky to keep wings level and fly through. At the age of three years old, I watched an airplane fly over my head at this same airport I took off of to become a private pilot. I knew this dream was going to become a reality. Thank you for believing in my aviation dream!

Happy Flying,
Natalie Campana-Lucas