2007 Scholarship Winners

The ICAS Foundation sponsors several aviation-related scholarships each year, which are awarded to recipients to either begin or further their aviation or aerobatic training.  Each scholarship commemorates a loved and much-missed member of the close-knit air show community.  This year, the Foundation is pleased to award scholarships to eight deserving aviators.

ICAS Foundation / General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Scholarship.  The Foundation joined with the General Aviation Manufacturers' Association for the first time in 2007 to provide assistance to students seeking an aviation-related degree.  This ground-breaking scholarship partnership enables both organizations to support students seeking a career in an aviation industry, with funds that can be used toward tuition expenses.

The first ICASF/GAMA Scholarship recipient is Brian Decker of Huntsville, Alabama, formerly of Haymarket, Virginia.  Brian is currently a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.  Here's Brian's story:

My mom took me to my first air show when I was three at Andrews Air Force Base, and while I don’t remember that one, I do remember many  others that she and I went to through the years.  When I was 14, I attended Space Camp’s Aviation Challenge in Huntsville, and was able to actually fly for the first time in a T-34.  I was involved in Boy Scouts while growing up, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster while stationed in Japan with the Marine Corps.  I was an active-duty Marine for eight years before getting out to pursue my degree.  I’ve had the opportunity to ride in Fat Albert, the Blue Angels’ C-130, which was an amazing experience.  I’ve also taken part in Sean Tucker’s performance as a pole holder, assisted the Bud Light MicroJet team as a pyrotechnics person, and generally been around a number of the air show performers, helping out whenever possible.  I plan to pursue my private pilot’s license to fly and work in the aviation/aerospace field.  Outside of aviation, I’m interested in computers, having worked in the networking field for eight years.  I also enjoy the outdoors, going out hiking, camping, and just exploring new places with friends.  Since I moved to Huntsville I am active in a number of clubs, so have the opportunity to meet interesting people, as well as make the most of my time in college. 

Charlie Hillard Scholarship.   Charlie R. Hillard was a fiercely determined man, and throughout his life, built an amazing list of “firsts.”  He bought his first airplane at age 18, became the first skydiver in the U.S. to pass a baton in a free-fall, won four National Aerobatic Championships and was the first American to win the world aerobatic title.  He led the Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team for more than 25 years and then began another amazing career as a solo aerobatic pilot.  Throughout his life Charlie was recognized many times for his aerobatic excellence.  While he was truly key to the advancement of precision aerobatics, Charlie was also an enthusiastic contributor and volunteer in his community, particularly devoted to family and children’s causes and organizations.  The Charlie Hillard Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a young man or woman age 18 to 30 who has demonstrated community involvement, and provides $1,000 to further their aviation training.

The 2007 Charlie Hillard Scholarship recipient is Kristen Johnson of Apple Valley, Minnesota.  Kristen was born and raised in Minnesota and currently resides in Minneapolis.  She graduated from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN in 2006 with a B.A. in biology.  In her “non-productive” time she enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it be running, canoeing, backpacking, or downhill skiing she loves it all.  She is the daughter of Stella Johnson and Bill Patterson and has a brother-Alex, stepsister-Sarah, and stepbrother-Paul.  She is currently working for Mesaba Airlines as an aircraft records administrator and as a desk attendant at two FBO’s on the Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie.  In October she will run in the Twin Cities Marathon-her first!

French Connection Scholarship.  Daniel Heligoin and Montaine Mallet together formed French Connection Airshow for over 26 years.  Following their deaths during a practice session in May 2000, family members, friends and fans worked together to create a memorial fund that could be used to give, as Daniel would say, “the gift of wings.”  The French Connection Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a male and a female flight instructor who need financial help acquiring aerobatic training so he or she can do a better job teaching or to seek a position giving aerobatic instruction.  The scholarship provides $1,000 to be applied toward aerobatic training.

The first 2007 French Connection Scholarship winner is Ronney Moss of Sanford, North Carolina.  He is an independent flight instructor who also teaches human factors in aviation safety and aviation legislation at the undergraduate level as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He graduated from Hemet High School in Hemet, CA in 1983 and  served in the United States Air Force from 1984 until his retirement in 2004.  Ronney always loved airplanes but as a child of humble means, he never realized that regular people could actually afford to fly.  The paradigm was “that flying is the sport of rich people and farmers.” He applied for a pilot slot in the Air Force, but the end of the cold war severely restricted the number of available slots. Seven years later coming off the flight-line from a deployment, Ronney saw a sign for a $50 flight at the Kadena Air Base Aeroclub. After landing, he took his Harley off order and put in for leave.  He finished his private certificate in 30 days, and continued to progress through certificates and ratings until he retired and became a professional flight instructor. Ronney says, "I have a vigorous thirst for knowledge and love sharing insights. Helping people achieve their dreams of flight is particularly rewarding."

The second 2007 French Connection scholarship recipient is Kimberly Kelsey of Dublin, Ohio. "Every time someone finds out that I went to school to become a pilot, they always ask the same question -- How did you become interested in flying, you know, since you are a girl and all?  I always come back with the answer, “Well my dad has his license. He let me take the controls once, and I’ve been hooked ever since!”  I have come a long way. Even though I still have a long way to go, the path has already been exciting. I started out at Ohio State a little over seven years ago as a freshman; by the end of the year I had started on the exciting road of becoming a pilot. Four years later I managed to get all the way through my commercial single and multi engine land licenses with an instrument rating to top it off. Since then I have achieved my CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. I have come to love the teaching aspect of flying, but I just recently stumbled upon another part of the exciting world of aviation. About a year and a half ago I went to the Cleveland air show and had the privilege of seeing Sean Tucker, Michael Mancuso, and Matt Chapman. After watching them I was hooked to aerobatics, just like my dad hooked me to aviation a few years earlier. Since then I have decided to head down a new path, one where I hope to teach and become a well known aerobatic pilot."

Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship.  Jan Jones died May 9, 1995 from injuries sustained in an aircraft accident.  She was not only a respected aerobatic pilot; she was loved for her sparkling, energetic personality, her passion for flying, and her willingness to share her knowledge with others.  The Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship has been made possible through an endowment from Jan’s parents, William and Mary Jones, and other generous donors.  The scholarship provides $1,000 to any female who already holds a private pilot’s license, and must be applied toward aerobatic training.

The 2007 Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship winner is Linda Street-Ely of Liberty, Texas.  Linda holds a private pilot license and has been flying for two years. She serves on the Airport Advisory Committee to the City of Liberty, Texas and is the Airport Support Network Volunteer assigned by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for the Liberty Airport. She is married to Mike Ely, a corporate pilot and corporate aviation development consultant.

Leo Loudenslager Scholarship.  Leo Loudenslager was a seven-time winner of the United States Aerobatic Championship, and in 1980, he became the World Aerobatic Champion.  His career ended on July 28, 1997 when Leo died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  But it all began in 1964 when Leo took leave from his job as airman at Travis AFB to attend the Reno Air Races, and was inspired to become a pilot.  He was entirely self-taught.  Except for ground school training, he learned everything else aviation on his own, including his commercial, flight instruction and instrument licenses.  The Leo Loudenslager scholarship honors Leo’s background as a military enlisted man who taught himself to fly and went on to aerobatics history.  It is given in rotation to an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and provides a $2,000 stipend towards flight training.

The 2007 recipient of the Leo Loudenslager Memorial Scholarship is Corporal Christian Lentz of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.  Cpl Lentz is a well respected member of the Squadron who is involved in the community by working with organizations such as the Military Family Resource Centre and the Catholic Parish. Cpl Lentz has unselfishly served with 431(AD) Squadron for the past 6 years and earned the great privilege of deploying with the Snowbirds all over North America, displaying exceptional airmanship. Cpl Lentz has demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism, skill and teamwork of which the Snowbirds exemplify and proudly represents all the men and women of the Canadian Forces with the full support of his wife Malika, and his two beautiful daughters Kimberley and Shirley. He is an exceptional and motivated individual who shows a passion for flight and a great love for his job. He goes that extra mile to ensure Squadron goals are met and he thrives on teamwork. This scholarship will greatly enable Cpl Lentz to follow his dreams to recertify as a private pilot and pursue his future goals in the Aviation Industry.

Red Barons Scholarships.  The Red Barons Memorial Scholarships honor two pilots who flew the #2 and #4 positions in the squadron, Sonny Lovelace and Randy Drake who lost their lives in 1998 while performing in a charity air show to benefit the ICAS Foundation.  The two $1,000 dollar scholarships are designed to encourage and financially assist young adults, age 16 or older, who will use their scholarship instruction in tail wheel aircraft operations or aerobatic flight.  The recipients of the Red Barons Memorial Scholarships will be selected by a committee chaired by Kathleen (Kay) Drake, widow of Randy Drake.  Kay is joined by Pat Lovelace, widow of Sonny Lovelace, and former Red Baron pilots John Bowman and Bryan Regan.

The first 2007 Red Barons Scholarship winner is Melissa Fohl of Liberty Township, Ohio. Melissa's interest in aerobatics was sparked after attending her first local International Aerobatic Club (IAC) meeting in the fall of 2004.  At first, she thought aerobatic instruction would be a good way to conquer her fear of stalls and spins.  It did not take Melissa long, however, to discover that aerobatic flying was incredibly fun and challenging.  While her fascination with aviation dates back to childhood years, Melissa actually did not complete the goal of earning her wings until September 2005.  Since then, she has approached her expensive passion with a rejuvenated excitement akin to that of a pilot’s first solo flight, acquiring her tailwheel endorsement in December 2005, and beginning primary aerobatic training in July 2006.  Her current goals involve expanding upon her initial aerobatic instruction in order to compete in local/regional contests, and progressing toward the completion of her commercial pilot certificate.  Melissa also intends to become a certificated flight instructor (CFI), and hopes to one day be teaching the next generation the joys of aerobatic flying.

The second Red Barons scholarship winner is Tonya Hodson of Marion, Kansas.  Tonya story, in he own words: "After growing up in small town America and living all of my life here…..I am ready for the adventures a career in aviation has to offer.  While having my priorities in order, I am the proud mother of two sons, Paul Hodson, Eagle Scout, currently 18 and attending KSU in the Computer Engineering Program, and Patrick Hodson, musician, currently 14 and attending Marion High School.  My efforts in raising these two bright, respectful, honor roll students were not alone.  Although their father and I are no longer married we continue our work very closely and proudly as partners in parenting in raising them.  Fondly, most of the day to day responsibilities have been mine; I am very excited about the next phase of my life.  Second to my family, basically all of my interests involve aviation one way or another.  Whether it is in a social setting or privately reading to further my overall knowledge of aviation, I love aviation the people associated!"  

Sean DeRosier Memorial Scholarship.  Sean Paul DeRosier was a born aviator.  He soloed a glider when he was 14, a power plane at 16, and began flying self-taught aerobatics at 18.  He followed soon after with A&P and IA certifications.  Sean lost his life in October 2004, doing what he knew and loved best - flying.  The Sean DeRosier Memorial Scholarship honors Sean's spirit by assisting other young men and women in their aviation goals. The recipient must be male or female with a private pilot's license, between the ages of 18 and 31 and residing in the western United States, defined as the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada or Idaho. The scholarship provides $1,000 for aerobatic flight training or schooling towards obtaining an A&P license.

The 2007 Sean DeRosier Scholarship recipient is Gregory Barnhard of Orchard Park, New York.  Gregory, who soloed on his 16th birthday, got his private ticket and his instrument rating on March 31, 2007 - his 17th birthday.  Here's Gregory's story:

In September 2007, I will begin my senior year at the Orchard Park High School. Most of my time is spent at the Akron Airport, about 15 miles east of Buffalo International Airport. I work part-time at Akron Airport and Conax Buffalo Technologies for money to fly. Flying is essentially my life and, as mentioned, most of my time is spent immersed in that. Therefore, there hasn’t been too much time for anything else. I enjoy what I do, so it doesn’t bother me that flying is everything. Also, I received the “flight training” scholarship from the Aero Club of Buffalo in the amount of $1000 to aid in my commercial rating. I plan on flying for the airlines (preferably Southwest Airlines) for a living and flight instructing on the side, if I’m able.