AMA News - 2012/02
2011 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 scholarship funds.
In 2011, five individuals received a portion of the Charles Hampson Grant awards totaling $32,500. These funds came from a variety of sources including gifts, memorials, and the AMA general fund.
AMA has established a Scholarship Endowment to help sustain the scholarship program. This further supports student success and opportunity by creating a permanent fund for scholarships and safeguarding the promise of an education for future generations.
By giving to the Scholarship Endowment, you will help create a permanent fund for student scholarships, helping to ensure that more students have the opportunity to realize their potential. Invest in the future of young aeromodelers and help them prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.
The top winner of this year’s Grant awards also received 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.
In its fifth 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, 16 applicants met the established criteria and were considered by the three-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 close to one another in their evaluations of the applications. Five students were granted awards this year and $39,500 was awarded in all.
The students’ planned majors include engineering, physics education, aviation technology, computer design and animation, and mechanical engineering.
Information regarding applications may be obtained from April Hathaway at AMA Headquarters or from the AMA Education website at www.modelaircraft.org/education.aspx. The deadline to apply for 2012 scholarships is April 30, 2012.
If you would like to support the growth of the Education Endowment, please contact April at (765) 287-1256, extension 516, or email her at [email protected].
James Van Sant
James Van Sant, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of a $7,500 Charles Hampson Grant award, a $5,000 Telford Scholarship, and a $2,000 Weak Signals Scholarship. He is using the $14,500 to attend Penn State University and study mechanical engineering.
James is a graduate of Neshaminy High School, where he played in the jazz, marching, and symphonic bands, as well as a woodwind ensemble. He was a member of the Mathletes and the National Honor Society, and promoted and led a blood drive at his high school. He was a trumpet tutor and performed at a local nursing home for the holidays.
Through his involvement with his church, he created care packages for children who needed school supplies. He ranked 51st in a class of 697 students.
James has been flying CL models for 14 years—attending his first Nats in 2000 at the age of seven. He has competed in every Nats since, and also in a World Cup, World Championships, and in various events near his home. His building experience includes a 1/2A Profile Proto, and speed and sport aircraft.
James holds many speed records in several classes, including 1/2A, A, and B. He also enjoys competing in CL racing events such as Clown, Mouse I, Mouse II, and F2CN. He was a member of the Junior World Team and was the National Junior/Senior Champion for eight consecutive years.
“I love flying and wish to continue the hobby for the rest of my life because it is such a big part of who I am,” James wrote in his scholarship application. “I have been flying since I was very young and hope to pass it on to my children as well.” He became an AMA member in 1998.
James began working for the Canine Academy, a daycare for dogs, in August 2009, where he monitored the dogs’ behavior and performed cleaning duties. His love of animals shows through his work in training his own dog to work as a therapy dog.
Stephen Konowal, a physics teacher at Neshaminy High School, wrote that James’ strength “is his pursuit of his own learning.” “I have every confidence that James will excel in his collegiate career,” the teacher wrote in late 2010.
In his scholarship application, James stated that he hoped being awarded the money would allow him to graduate without debt, so he would have more money to spend on building models and competing.
James is a true modeler. Best of luck!
Ryan Clark
Ryan Clark, Canton, Michigan, hopes to one day view his hometown from the sky.
The Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship winner plans to become a professional pilot. He is using his $7,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in aviation technology at Eastern Michigan University.
Aviation has been part of his life since he was 13 years old. He first became interested in model aviation when his father purchased an Aerobird from a local hobby shop. Ryan later received a flight simulator. He spent hours practicing difficult flying maneuvers, which led to flying 3-D with a Saito 100. He joined the AMA in 2007.
Eventually, he purchased a Yak 1.20 and practiced International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC)-type maneuvers. He flew in his first IMAC contest in 2008, winning the Mid-Michigan Challenge in Basic Class. In 2009, he competed in a Sportsman contest, placed first, and decided to give Intermediate a try. This resulted in him being crowned the National Champion in the Scale Aerobatics Intermediate Class. He moved up to Advanced in 2010, and walked away with another National Championship.
Ryan is a member of the Weak Signals and Flying Pilgrims clubs. He flies demonstrations for both clubs, and has flown an RC blimp at the Toledo Walleye Hockey Team’s home games.
His building experience includes designing the covering scheme for a 125-inch Carden Pro he constructed with his father.
The Salem High School graduate served as captain of the school's varsity boys bowling team for three years, and was named to the All-State First Team, Detroit Free Press Dream Team, and All Observer First Team for his bowling achievements. He also qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Finals for bowling in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Outside of school, he volunteered for the Plymouth Kiwanis and served as the Youth Vice President for the Western Wayne Youth Traveling Classic Bowling League. He also worked in customer service for Nankin Hardware Company (ACE).
He was enrolled in Advanced Placement classes in high school and was 78th in a class of 488 students.
Kathie Hahn, head coach of the Salem High School Varsity Bowling Team, said Ryan was the "leader, heart, and soul of the 20-member team." His teammates and the coaching staff recognized his special qualities and elected Ryan as team captain early in his sophomore year.
"Ryan has been a decorated scholar-athlete each of the years he has been part of the team, and I know this is an honor he takes very seriously and should be proud of," Hahn wrote.
"I wish to convey my highest recommendation for Ryan Clark, as I am confident that this very special young man will continue to be a successful student and leader in his chosen endeavors. Above all, Ryan is a wonderful person who 'gets it' and is definitely 'going somewhere,'" the coach wrote.
We hope your dreams come true, Ryan.
Aaron Bauer
Aaron Bauer, of Chicago, is the recipient of a $6,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and is attending Loyola University of Chicago where he is studying physics education.
"In choosing the teaching of physics as my field of study, I have the opportunity to bring together two interests in my life—physics and helping people," he wrote in his scholarship application. "While some people may think that these two interests are very divergent, I actually believe that they can lead to a fulfilling career."
Aaron became an AMA member in 1993 (the year he was born) and his first aeromodeling experience was when he was four years old. That year (1997) he built a Carl Goldberg Li'l Wizard with his father and grandfather. He continued to build and flew a Volksplane at his first Nats in August of 1997, winning the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA) Flight Achievement Award and placing first in the Profile Scale Junior Class. He has competed in the Nats every year since then.
He took home first-place awards in a variety of CL Nats competitions in 1997–2000 and 2003–2010. In the other years he competed, he placed second.
Aaron is a graduate of Loyola Academy, where he was a member of the Junior Engineering Technical Society/Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering, American Institute of Architecture Students, Science Olympiad, the FC Drive soccer team, International Thespians, the Loyola Academy Sailing Club, and the Fringe Film Society. He also served as Head of Sound/Head of Lighting/Sound Crew/Light Crew for the Loyola Academy Theater.
Aaron was head usher for St. Clement Church throughout his school years, and worked as a chemistry lab assistant at his high school. Other work experience includes serving as a junior counselor at Fred's Camp in Chicago, and working at Four P's, his grandfather's model airplane company, where he sorted and assembled parts bags for RC airplane kits, packaged orders, and set up the company's booth at iHobby Expo.
Nicole Gavigan, a guidance counselor at Loyola Academy, wrote a recommendation as part of Aaron's scholarship application. "Aaron's true love is the world of model airplanes. Talking with Aaron about this cross-generational passion that he shares with his grandfather and father is a joy to witness. It is one realm of his life he truly can relax and channel his creative, quirky self into designing and building elaborate airplanes, then plan trips around the country to compete in national championships!" she wrote.
"He loves problem-solving and has an aptitude for technical endeavors. He chose to take our three-year integrated science curriculum, which allows students opportunities to combine the domains of chemistry and physics over two years with Integrated Biology rounding out the three years. It is extremely challenging, but Aaron loves to learn.
"His artistic side is also seen in his choice to pursue honors-level theater classes as well as honors architectural design."
Edwin Manson
Edwin Manson, McLean, Virginia, has been awarded a $6,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship. He is attending the University of Virginia, where he is studying engineering. He hopes to become an aeronautical engineer or pilot and work for The Boeing Company or Lockheed Martin Corporation.
The McLean High School graduate was active in many sports and clubs throughout his high school career. He was a member of Key Club, the International Association of Marketing Students, and the Technology Student Association. He also was a member of the baseball and basketball teams, and swam in the Northern Virginia Swimming League in the summers.
For keeping a grade point average above 3.5 while participating in sports, he was awarded the Scholar-Athlete Award.
Because of his academic achievements, the honor student was a member of the National Honor Society, Alkahest (Chemistry and Science Honor Society), and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society).
Outside of school, he was an eighth-grade boys' basketball coach, and twice was a guest speaker for an aviation sciences class at a local high school. He also ran his own business, Highlands Lawn Service, and worked at the Washington Golf and Country Club. Having his own business taught him how to perform expected services in a timely fashion.
He began aeromodeling at the age of 10 and joined the AMA in 2004. He and his father learned how to fly with a trainer airplane and a flight simulator. Edwin built his first model, a CA Models Epsilon, in the spring of 2005. He also built a Microball and a modified Smac.
Edwin has participated in local, regional, and national fun-fly contests, as well as Precision Aerobatics competitions. He competed in his first Pattern contest in 2006, and has flown in 10 National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics (NSRCA) District 2 Pattern contests since. He participated in his first Nats in 2007, and also competed in 2009 and 2010. He was named the 2009 NSRCA District 2 Champion for the Intermediate Class.
Best of luck, Edwin!
Kylie Narance
Kylie Narance, Galion, Ohio, is a 2011 recipient of a $5,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship. She is attending Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where she is studying computer design and animation.
Despite maintaining a busy schedule, she was ranked fourth in her class of 127 at Galion High School. In addition to being a member of several school clubs, she also volunteered, babysat, and served as a tutor and counselor.
She was a member of the Spanish Club, Teen Green, Art Club, Play/Theater, and National Honor Society. She also attended the Women in Technology Conference, participated in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Writing Contest, Cleveland Clinic Art Contest, and Governor’s Art Show.
When she wasn’t participating in school activities, she worked as a math tutor, sold tickets at school athletic events, served as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, and was a youth group leader at her church.
She was a member of the Galion Historical Society, Galion Public Library Teen Board, a women’s cycling group at church, and helped with a youth reading program. She was a babysitter and a counselor at a Boy Scout camp.
Kylie also found time for aeromodeling.
“My experience with modeling began with my father,” Kylie wrote in her scholarship application. “I can remember him taking me down to the basement workshop of our house when I was around three or four. Dad would place me into the portable child playpen while he would work on a model airplane. What fun we had ... I watched him build a variety of rubber- and gas-powered models. He told me that he had similar childhood experiences with his father. Dad has a basement filled with kits and airplanes hanging all over the place. I would look upward to the ceiling and imagine dog fights and record-breaking flights around the world.”
Kylie’s own modeling experience began a short time later and she built balsa gliders, the AMA Dart, a Sig Cub, a Sig Dewey Bird, and the Sterling Baby Ringmaster. She joined the AMA when she was six years old, and when she was roughly 10 years old, she and her father competed as a team at the Cleveland Free Flight Society (CFFS) indoor meet. Kylie continued to compete at CFFS meets.
She hopes to use her college degree to make films for Walt Disney Studios or to design flight simulators. Kylie is also interested in designing simulators to teach doctors and nurses how to perform surgeries.
“Perhaps Kylie’s most significant strength is the way she treats and positively interacts with people. She possesses a quiet, yet determined, demeanor. When given a task, she thoroughly completes it. She is an excellent listener and readily accepts constructive suggestions,” the principal of her high school, Andy Johnson, wrote in a letter of recommendation for her scholarship application.
Congratulations, Kylie!
AMA/Charles H. Grant Scholarships
Each year, the Academy of Model Aeronautics awards Charles Hampson Grant Scholarships to deserving high school seniors who will be pursuing a continuing academic program at an accredited college or university.
Applications received are processed by a three-person selection committee and roughly $40,000 annually is distributed in various amounts based on AMA modeling activities, scholastic achievement, and citizenship achievement.
To be eligible for a scholarship, the applicant must:
- Have been an AMA member for the last full 36 consecutive months prior to the April 30 application deadline.
- Graduate from high school in the year in which the award is to be granted.
- Have been accepted by a college or university offering a certificate or degree program.
The Charles H. Grant Scholarship Program contains other grants which involve specific factors for determining the award. The Toledo Weak Signals Scholarship is awarded to the top recipient of the AMA/Charles H. Grant Scholarship. The Telford Scholarship is based on participation in competition activity in the AMA and FAI classifications listed in the application packet.
Scholarship information and applications or information regarding donations to the programs can be obtained by calling AMA Headquarters at (765) 287-1256, ext. 516, or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. Applications are also available on the AMA website under Education at www.modelaircraft.org/education.aspx. The application deadline is April 30, 2012.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
