2008 Scholarship Recipients
SINCE 1970, the Academy of Model Aeronautics has provided scholarships to young men and women seeking to continue their education in colleges and universities. The primary awards are presented through the Charles Hampson Grant scholarships.
In 2007, five individuals received a portion of the $36,100 Charles Hampson Grant awards. These monies came from a variety of sources including gifts, memorials, and the AMA general fund.
The top two winners of this year’s Grant awards also shared a scholarship provided by the Toledo Weak Signals from monies generated from the club’s annual trade show and exposition. This year the Weak Signals contributed $2,000.
An additional scholarship program awarded funds this year. The Sig award, a memorial in honor of the late Glenn Sigafoose, is presented by Hazel Sig-Hester and Sig Manufacturing Company. Given to one or more individuals, the award is based upon financial need and aeromodeling activity. This year’s scholarships totaled $3,300.
In its second year, the Telford Scholarship, honoring the late Cliff Telford, is based on participation in competition activity in the AMA and FAI classifications including national and world-class competition. This year’s award was $5,000.
This year, 14 applicants met the established criteria and were considered by the committee. Evaluated by a four-member committee, the applicants are rated in several major areas including grade average, test results, school and community activities, and modeling activities. High achievement in all of the categories is important for the maximum amount of scholarship awarded to an individual.
Again this year, the committee members were extremely close to one another in their evaluations of the applications. Eight students were granted awards this year and $46,000 was awarded in all.
The students’ planned majors include:
- Mechanical engineering
- Aircraft design
- Computer science
- Aeronautical engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Digital animation
Information regarding applications may be obtained from Jack Frost at AMA Headquarters or from the AMA Education Web site at www.modelaircraft.org/education.aspx.
Gavin Smith
Gavin Smith, of Bavaria, Kansas, is the recipient of an $8,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and a $1,000 Weak Signals award. Gavin will be attending Wichita State University.
At a young age, Gavin's fascination with aviation was cultivated by his father. He started flying simple aircraft such as paper airplanes, rockets, rubber-band stick-and-tissue aircraft, and hand-launched gliders. His father, who had a longtime interest in airplanes, returned to RC after nearly 20 years and began teaching Gavin on small electric trainers. The two advanced to build a Piper J-3 Cub from a kit. Gavin's interest in electrics evolved into slope soaring. He became a charter member of Wings Over Wilson in 2004 and recently designed and built a slope glider as a prototype for a multimotor-powered design.
Gavin has competed in the Super 77 Combat event and the Midwest Slope Challenge where he placed second in Combat class.
"Although I enjoy the competitive side of flying RC," Gavin wrote, "by far the part I enjoy most is simply flying for fun with my father."
Gavin graduated from Salina High School Central first in his class with a weighted GPA of 4.24. He was recognized as a Kansas Governor’s Scholar.
In high school, Gavin was involved in Science Olympiad, the Fort Hays State Math Relays, the Trig-Star competition, the American Mathematics Competition, and the ECO-meet competition. While competing in Science Olympiad, he medaled numerous times at the regional and state levels in the Wright Stuff event and Remote Sensing.
Gavin was actively involved in varsity boys’ swimming and student council, as well as marching, concert, and jazz bands. As a member of the boys’ swim team, Gavin was a league champion numerous times and competed at the state meet each of his four years.
Since middle school, Gavin has volunteered during the summer reading program for the Salina Public Library and been an active member of the Young Adult Advisory Board at the library. He has also volunteered at the Smokey Hill River Festival, put in countless hours for the Salina Aquatics Club as a timer, and is a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina.
During the past two summers, Gavin worked for Jack Cooper of Leading Edge Gliders building kits of slope-soaring airplanes. He has also attended EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh for three years as an employee of CAV Aerospace, informing people about the TKS deicing system.
Gavin will be pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering at Wichita State University. He plans to someday own a small aircraft design and manufacturing company.
Best of luck, Gavin, and congratulations!
James Rosenthal
James Rosenthal, of Tucson, Arizona, is the recipient of an $8,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and a $1,000 Weak Signals award, which he will apply toward an aerospace engineering and French degree from the University of Minnesota.
James's modeling career began at roughly 5 years old. He started with gliders and eventually progressed through everything from 3-D foamies to electric ducted-fan aircraft and helicopters. Working with his father, James built several projects. On his own, he has accomplished everything from building and shaping foam to fiberglassing and painting detail. James is also a competitor and has participated in the Mid-Winter Electrics in San Diego, the SAGE Spring Discus Launch Competition in Marana, Arizona, and the Eloy Hand-Launch Competition in Eloy, Arizona.
James graduated from Catalina Foothills High School and is a National Honor Society member and National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. During high school, James was a varsity wrestler and served as captain his senior year. He placed in several tournaments including regionals. He also ran three years of cross-country and track.
James had an opportunity to study abroad through AYUSA Global Youth Exchange in Givet, France. He spent seven months living with a host family and attending a French high school. There he played football and basketball. James used this experience to return to the United States and serve as a French tutor for students at his high school.
Volunteer service has been a large part of James’s life. He spent two years with Race for the Cure where he delivered packets and aided with race-day registration. James also spent a year working at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen.
James held several jobs through his school career. For four years, James spent summers working at his father’s dental office assisting with patients, cleaning instruments, and filing paperwork. James spent winter weekends as a ski and snowboard instructor at the Sunrise Park Resort on the Apache Indian Reservation in the White Mountains.
From 2006–2007, James worked for the University of Arizona Aeronautics Department as a test pilot. He had the opportunity to fly experimental RC airplanes with technology inside (auto-pilot testing, GPS, cameras, etc.) for the University of Arizona Aviation Club under the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
"James seems to enjoy life to the fullest," David Mason, history teacher, wrote. "He has never let his class work suffer as he continues to maintain excellence in all his endeavors. James is an individual that sparkles with enthusiasm and is certainly going to achieve success in life."
James began his education at the University of Minnesota in August 2008. Congratulations, James, and good luck in your aerospace engineering career.
Andrew Angellotti
Andrew Angellotti of Lapeer, Michigan, is the recipient of a $6,500 Charles Hampson Grant award and a $1,100 Sig Memorial Scholarship.
A modeler since the age of 10, Andrew has been a member of the Lapeer Wing Nuts RC Club. He first learned to fly on a 15-year-old Avistar. Soon Andrew was building his own models, including everything from 8-meter gliders to 8-inch-wingspan microflyers.
Andrew was homeschooled for his academic career and carried a 3.83 GPA. Outside of school, Andrew was involved in many extracurricular activities.
Starting in 2006, Andrew funded and converted his 1988 Mazda to run all electric. He now uses this truck to promote development of alternative energy technology. He has made frequent appearances in various venues with his truck. Andrew spent a day with Discovery Channel Canada as they filmed a segment about his project for the show Daily Planet.
Andrew spent a few years working as a part-time lifeguard at the Lapeer Community Center. He takes ongoing training and received certification to guard a year-round indoor/outdoor community pool complex. Andrew is versed in all aspects of CPR, first aid, and AED.
Andrew spent much time volunteering in his community. He has had numerous opportunities to teach and inspire others to consider alternative energy. He worked with Operation Care, part of a local ham radio club activity, which serves coffee and snacks and visits with weary travelers during holiday weekends. Andrew has helped with care packages for soldiers, gave RC presentations to Boy Scouts, worked on political campaigns, was a member of 4-H, and was active in numerous community projects. In 2005, Andrew received the Lapeer County Power of Youth Award for community service.
In 2007, Andrew worked for Molex where he was a full-time lab technician, testing automatic connectors in a state-of-the-art lab environment. From May–August 2008, Andrew accepted a full-time position as an engineering intern with Molex–Global Transportation Division in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
As a member of the Lapeer Wing Nuts, Andrew was given the opportunity to use his writing skills. He began writing for his club’s newsletter and eventually had his own column. In 2004, the newsletter editor stepped down and Andrew took over its production and was also named club secretary.
He wrote a research paper that won honorable mention in the NASA Aeronautics Student Competition. The original concept described in Andrew’s paper was inspired by a display he saw in AMA’s National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana.
Andrew began his college career in August 2008. He is attending Purdue University with a focus in aerospace and aeronautical engineering.
"It is my hope to acquire the tools and the knowledge I need in order to be at the very leading edge of our technological capabilities," Andrew wrote. "I want to use technology to improve how we live and to safeguard our world."
Congratulations, Andrew.
John Cook
John Cook, of Roanoke, Virginia, is the recipient of a $6,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship.
John accelerated his high school career and graduated from Hidden Valley High School within three years, maintaining a 4.0385 grade point average.
In 2005 and 2006, John ran cross-country for his high school. He was a member of Science Club and Future Business Leaders of America. John acquired his FCC Amateur Radio License and used it to help organize the Hidden Valley High School Ham Radio Club.
At only 15, John started his own business: Trek 3D, LLC. His first products were video tutorials sold on the Internet for novice and more advanced game programmers. Through his online company, John has developed web sites for other businesses and also sells web site hosting.
John taught himself the majority of the computer programs at which he excels. He has used this knowledge to carry a business and is even making computer programs of his own. He currently has a provisional patent for a drag-and-drop web site creator.
John is active in his community and has volunteered his services numerous times. For more than a year, he has worked for Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare where he designed the organization’s web site. He has also created a web site for the Roanoke Valley Junior Achievement program.
Since 2006, part of the proceeds from John’s business has been donated to Oxfam America Unwrapped, which is dedicated to creating solutions to global poverty, hunger, and social injustice. John’s company also makes microfinance loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world through www.kiva.com.
John has been a part of Clean Valley Council where he cleaned along local waterways, Beta Club at his school where he helped clean up after homecoming events, and volunteered to come in and help around the school on teacher work days.
Most of John’s modeling experience has been field flying his two-meter Gentle Lady sailplane at his local park and building models for the science fair. Last year, John built his physics teacher an ornithopter to be used in classes.
John has put on several public demonstrations about AMA and modeling. In 2005, he presented a demonstration about building a stick-and-tissue model airplane during a monthly Roanoke County Computer Club meeting. He also made presentations for the Roanoke County Library and Roanoke County Public Schools.
"Bottom line—John is an incredible role model," Skip Larrington, chemistry and computer science teacher, wrote. "John has accomplished more in 18 years than many accomplish in a lifetime. I am honestly excited to see what John accomplishes by the time he is 25."
Elijah Brown
Elijah Brown, of Kingman, Arizona, is the recipient of a $6,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship. He plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and study computer and aeronautical engineering.
Elijah has been a member of AMA since 2000. He began flying gliders at 9 years old when his grandfather gave him a balsa model airplane kit for Christmas.
Elijah quickly fell in love with modeling and has made everything from glow to electric flight. His most recent project is a Twin Comanche from a Jack Stafford kit. Elijah has competed in local events including pylon racing, wingless racing, night flying, and float flying.
While completing high school at Desert Oasis Christian School, Elijah had dual enrollment at Mohave Community College. He graduated from high school earning an Associate of Arts degree with a math emphasis.
A self-motivator, Elijah created his own business helping out around his neighborhood. He became the neighborhood handyman by helping neighbors with their hardware- and software-related computer problems. He also provided lawn services and even repaired lawn equipment.
Elijah has spent time working as an engineering apprentice for Mieding and Associates. He designed heating, ventilation, plumbing, and fire suppression systems using AutoCAD software. He learned the CAD program with John Mieding’s assistance and designed and drew the plumbing and air-conditioning ductwork for more than 15 commercial buildings.
As a member of the Kingman Modelers RC Club, Elijah had the opportunity to bring his love of computer programming and model airplanes together. Elijah created and hosts the club’s web site. He even created a program on the site that allows members to sign up online.
Elijah earned the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Kingman Modelers. He spent numerous hours on field improvements and helping at club events. Elijah and his sister raised the necessary funds to purchase all the fencing materials needed to surround the club’s 1,000-foot runway.
Community service is a big part of Elijah’s life. He has volunteered at a homeless shelter, worked with the City of Kingman’s cleanup, assisted with maintenance work at the community college, and helped clean up a yard for a needy family. Elijah also implemented a program to collect $1,000 from local businesses to improve the community’s RC flying site.
Elijah has received many awards for his accomplishments. He made the Mohave Community College Honors List and National Dean’s List. He has earned the Most Outstanding Mathematics Student Award, placed third in the Mohave Community College Mathlympics, and won first place two years at the Hualapai Hills Home Schoolers’ Science Fair.
"Based upon his demonstrated abilities, Elijah’s potential for future success is excellent," Clark Brown, principal, wrote. "I have complete confidence that an investment in his future will pay rich dividends for the model aviation industry."
Job well done, Elijah, and good luck in your future.
Nick Maxwell
Nick Maxwell is the recipient of a $5,000 Telford Scholarship. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nick has been a modeler since the age of 4.
His first experience with model aviation was shared with his father. Nick’s first building attempts were mounting motors in foam airplanes and tossing them into the air.
As his knowledge and experience grew, Nick started building and flying fun-fly models and continued on to pylon racing. He discovered helicopters at age 10 and now builds and flies both.
Nick attended high school at Bishop Dwenger where he played varsity tennis. He made the All City team his freshman year. He participated in USTA tennis tournaments from age 10–16.
Nick worked for Phil’s Hobby Shop from 2005–2007. He helped with inventory and ran the cash register. Nick also had the opportunity to use his aeromodeling skills by working on airplane and helicopter repairs at the shop.
From seventh grade through his senior year, Nick put in countless hours of community service. He volunteered his time raking leaves, mowing, cleaning gutters, washing windows, running errands, and transporting elderly to the store. He also worked at St. Patrick’s Closet, an organization that provides free clothing and small household items for low-income people.
In addition to this community service, Nick has conducted many model airplane and helicopter demonstrations for Young Eagles, Boy Scouts, and various other schools and groups throughout the Fort Wayne area.
Nick has been a member of AMA since 1994. During this time, he has competed in numerous events including the National Aeromodeling Championships in helicopters and pylon racing, XFC, E-Fest, and the Micro Heli Cup.
His model aviation talents did not go unnoticed, and Nick is now sponsored by Miniature Aircraft USA, Futaba, Flight Power Batteries, V-Blades, and Dietriech Aircraft. In 2008, the Academy of Model Aeronautics launched its AMA All Stars Team and asked Nick to join as one of the first members.
Nick’s American Sign Language teacher, Dawn Lacy, wrote this about him: "Nick has serious long-term goals and has already worked several years to accomplish those goals. Even while in middle school and high school, he has achieved major awards competing among much older adults. He is a motivated role model whom many others can look up to."
Nick will be attending Indiana–Purdue University of Fort Wayne majoring in mechanical engineering. He wants to pursue a career in model aviation.
Congratulations, Nick.
Sean VanHatten
Sean VanHatten, of Redmond, Oregon, is the recipient of a $1,100 Sig Memorial Scholarship. Sean will be using his award to attend Central Oregon Community College.
Sean’s infatuation with aviation began when he was 9 years old and had his first flight in a Cherokee 140. From that moment on, Sean was hooked on full-scale flight. Because pilot lessons are costly and Sean was only 9, his parents thought it would be best for him to start with learning to fly RC airplanes.
After much practice, Sean made his way through trainers, scale models, Combat, fun-flys, and finally scale aerobatics.
He has spent the last five years practicing IMAC and 3-D freestyle routines.
Another passion of Sean’s is music. He started out learning tenor saxophone then moved on to the bassoon in eighth grade. Sean played in the All-State Honor Band, the All-State Honor Orchestra, the Oregon Solo Competition, and an honor band that encompasses the entire Northwest. Sean has also performed in three bands at his high school, a band at the community college, and various musical groups in the area.
Sean excelled at Redmond High School and maintained a 3.9 GPA. He took honors and advanced-placement classes. Sean also took classes at the local community college and graduated from high school with an honors diploma and 49 college credits.
Roughly two years ago, Sean began flight training to acquire his private pilot's license. He soloed after 12 hours' flight time. On June 13, 2007, Sean took his private pilot check ride and received his license. At the time of his application submission, Sean had 73 hours of flight time logged. He plans to continue aerobatic training now that he's a private pilot.
"I have a great passion for aerobatics," Sean wrote. "A dream of mine is to fly aerobatics in airshows."
Sean is a firm believer in supporting yourself financially. From 2000–2004, he ran his own lawn care business. After acquiring his driver's license, he took a job at a grocery store and later a music store. In October 2007, Sean took a job with Lancair Performance Aircraft in its build shop. Sean is currently working line service at the airport.
While school, music, and flight training kept Sean busy, he still tried to make time to benefit his community. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since the age of 7. Sean also donates his musical talents to his church.
Sean's dream is to become a full-time pilot. He plans to be a certified flight instructor and commercial-rated by next year, receiving these credentials from Central Oregon Community College. Sean hopes to fly corporate or charter for a career and would like to acquire his airframe and powerplant technician rating.
Congratulations on your award, Sean, and best of luck in your future!
Steven Sebastianelli
Steven Sebastianelli, from Middletown, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of a $1,100 Sig Memorial Scholarship.
Son of Linda and Steve Sebastianelli, Steven will be studying digital animation at Philadelphia University.
Steven attended Lower Dauphin High School, finishing with a 92.46 GPA out of a possible 112. He is a member of the National Honor Society and made Distinguished Honor Roll. He was active in music and took part in two musicals as well as a few variety skits.
Steven's high school guidance counselor wrote, "[Steven] has worked very hard to overcome a lot of challenges. Steven was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which has confined him to an electric wheelchair. Many students would pity themselves and make excuses, but Steven has never backed down from this challenge. He continues to amaze me as he sets an example for everyone to follow."
Steven has a great interest in power sports, which are sporting events that take place in power wheelchairs. Steven has played both soccer and ping-pong.
Steven has dedicated a lot of his time to community service. He helped out with numerous projects and events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network, Kids are Kids, and many others.
Steven has been an AMA member since 2003. At age 13, Steven heard the sound of RC airplanes flying near his house. It was the local club and eventually Steven dared to go over and ask if he could fly.
He became a member of the Keystone Remote Control Society (KRCS) and began lessons on the club's high-wing trainer with a buddy box. Steven received his solo license on his first try. He kept practicing and soon after was expert-pilot approved.
Taking his skills into practice, Steven began working with his club in many community activities including teaching flight simulator use at the public library and assisting the National Guard with a training project.
"If you ever tell him he can't do something, his reply will be 'do you want to bet?'" wrote Dan McNeil, lead flight instructor for KRCS.
Steven will be attending Philadelphia University to pursue a digital animation career and has hopes of someday being a professional actor.
Good luck, Steven, and congratulations.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
