2001 AMA/Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Winners
BEGINNING IN 1970, the Academy 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 2001, a total of $21,000 was awarded to six individuals, selected from 45 applicants. The award decisions are based on five criteria evaluated by a committee of four members.
The top winner of the Grant scholarship also receives an award provided by the Toledo Weak Signals from monies generated by their annual trade show exposition.
The Sig Award is presented to one or more individuals based on financial need and modeling activity. These funds are presented as a memorial to Glen Sigafosse by Hazel Sig-Hester and Sig Manufacturing Company.
The Tom Hutchinson Award is made to the outstanding applicant involved in Free Flight activity.
Information and applications may be obtained by contacting AMA Headquarters, (765) 287-1256, extension 274, or see the AMA Web site's Education page at www.modelaircraft.org.
Gregory J. Slavek
Gregory J. Slavek received the top AMA/Charles Hampson Grant award of $7,500 as well as the Toledo Weak Signals Scholarship of $3,500.
From Schererville IN, Greg has entered Valparaiso University and plans to double-major in chemistry and computer science. He has been a member of AMA since 1997, and is a member of the Deep River Model Aviation Club in Hobart IN.
Greg's interest in model aviation was sparked at the 1997 AMA Grand Event/Homecoming in Muncie IN which he and his family attended. He credits both the people at the hobby shops as well as his training mentor for their dedication, knowledge, and support of his endeavors.
A sport flier, he is active in his local club and enjoys its annual mall show as well as various events throughout the year.
Class valedictorian at Lake Central High School, Greg was ranked first out of 600 students with a grade point average (GPA) of 4.67 on a weighted 4.0 scale and was a member of the National Honor Society in his junior and senior years of high school.
Greg's other activities include the Junior Engineering Technical Society and the Interact Service Club, an organization that helps with many charitable endeavors including the annual Thanksgiving food drive, March of Dimes pumpkin sales, and Red Ribbon Week pledge drives.
Greg participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and the Science Olympiad in his freshman year and in his school's Spanish Club, where he received an award from the International Foreign Language Society.
Being an Academic Letter Winner all four years in high school has meant a lot to Greg. In addition to maintaining a higher academic record throughout his high school career, he worked with the Lake Central Theater Guild supplying technical support, set construction, and stage lights. He also made food baskets for needy families in the area during holidays and worked as a volunteer judge at school corporation science fairs.
Greg has done lawn maintenance and landscaping work for family and neighbors the last three years as well as tutor students from elementary grades through high school.
Greg is looking forward to the challenges he will encounter while pursuing his education and welcomes the opportunity to become a member of the Valparaiso community.
He is especially looking forward to being a part of the Valpo Chemistry Club that is involved in going to area elementary schools and interactively teaching young students about science, perhaps through Free Flight gliders.
Greg is very appreciative of the awards he has received and wrote that they are "the ultimate example of the caring and generous nature of all the AMA members I have known throughout the years."
Best of luck, Greg, in your academic pursuits!
J. Matthew Lowe
J. Matthew Lowe is the recipient of an AMA/Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship in the amount of $5,500. A graduate of South Dade Senior High School in Homestead FL, Matt is currently attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach FL as an aerospace engineering major. His long-term career goals include flying high-performance, fixed-wing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
With a GPA of 3.917 on a 4.0 scale, Matt graduated second in a class of more than 400 students.
Matt grew up in Homestead FL, in a rural farm area bordered by the Everglades on one side and the outskirts of Miami on the other. During the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, Matt had a front-row seat for the storm's impact and found it an eye-opening, life-changing event.
His volunteer activities include working on Habitat for Humanity projects; volunteer construction teams in the Bahamas, Appalachia, and the Keys; the March of Dimes; the American Cancer Society Relay for Life; nursing-home visitation; various charity fund-raisers using his musical talents; book drives; Habitat for Humanity; and other community projects.
Some of his scholastic accomplishments include selection for the NASA SHARP Program, the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Seminar, participation in the local and state Mock Trial competition, Athletic letters, and numerous writing, music, speaking, and academic awards.
Matt's first model was a Falcon Ready .40, which was preassembled and given to him as a gift during his sophomore year of high school. His first experience with model aviation involved both power and soaring models.
Matt's early experiences with model aviation competition have also gone well. He won first place in the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition's Radio Controlled Flight competition in 1999 and 2000.
The AMA wishes Matt success in his continuing education.
Evan Weaver
Evan Weaver of Hockessin DE was awarded a $3,000 AMA/Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship.
Valedictorian of his class at Wilmington Christian School and a National Merit Scholar, Evan scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT test. Evan is participating in a study-abroad program prior to attending the University of Delaware (Honors) to study philosophy, computer science, and jazz.
An AMA member since 1998, Evan is a member of the Silent Knights Soaring Society in Delaware. Prior modeling experience with electric trains and model rockets helped with building his first aircraft, a Great Planes Spirit with a HiTec Flash 5 radio.
Evan served as captain of his high school Mock Trial team which won the state championship two years in a row. He also participated and received state-level prizes in visual arts, music, Math League, History Day, and the Academic Bowl competition.
Evan is the only student participant in the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band, playing trumpet in a 45-piece volunteer band that gives free concerts in a four-state area. Evan plays piano and bass guitar as well and participates in his church's brass ensemble, playing for holiday celebrations.
In addition, Evan designed and maintains his church's Web site.
Involved in the art program at his school, Evan has won awards in computer graphics and photography in the Delaware Scholastic Arts Competition, as well as performing a piano solo at the same competition.
He worked on his school's literary magazine and was layout editor of his school's newspaper for two years.
Evan worked in a biomechanical engineering lab at the University of Delaware doing computer programming and computer graphics. The lab is creating software that takes the electric impulses one's muscles send out and simulates the motion of a three-dimensional arm on the computer screen in order to help create more responsive artificial limbs.
One of Evan's programs was published on the Web site of Muscolographics, Inc., which produces related commercial products.
Best of luck from AMA, Evan, in the pursuit of your education.
John Stroncek
John Stroncek of Rockville MD was awarded an AMA/Charles Hampson Grant scholarship in the amount of $2,000. He is attending the University of Maryland-College Park, enrolled in the College Park Scholars program, and plans to major in mechanical engineering.
A graduate of Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville MD, John graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 out of a possible 4.0. He was involved in the National Honor Society his junior and senior years and tutored students in math and science each week. He also enjoyed teaching elementary students science experiments and explaining the physics behind the experiments in a program called CATS (Cross Age Teaching of Science).
John played trumpet in his school's concert and marching bands. Following his junior year, John was selected to be in Senior Leadership, a group dedicated to the planning and raising of money for numerous student events while being representatives for the class. He was the chairperson of two events and found it a rewarding experience “because I learned how to start a project from the ground up, manage it through its planning and setup, and then finally see the finished outcome.”
John played varsity lacrosse in his sophomore through senior years. He also ran on the varsity cross-country team in his last two years of high school and participated in the school's downhill ski club.
John and his family moved from Minnesota to the close-knit community of Rockville prior to his freshman year in high school. Having left his friends in Minnesota, John found himself with time to explore something that had always interested him: Radio Control airplanes. Said John, “As soon as I started reading about them and then with the encouragement of my grandfather, I was hooked.” His first airplane was an Almost-Ready-to-Fly, but since then he's built and still flies a red-white-and-blue Direct Connection Tsunami.
A member of the D.C. Radio Control Club located in Germantown MD, John credits club members and instructors for teaching him to fly and for teaching him much about aviation, engineering, and the value of help from others.
John's most rewarding modeling activity has been the opportunity to teach his grandfather how to fly. “It was neat because he's always teaching me new things and opening my mind up, but this time the roles were reversed.”
John has been involved with his church and volunteered each winter at the Christmas-tree sale. He was also selected as a youth-group mentor and planner of group activities.
John did volunteer work in the National Institutes of Health's Division of Transfusion Medicine. This lead to paid work as a summer student at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, which gave him the opportunity to work with stem cells and learn from researchers who are some of the best in their fields.
The Academy extends its wishes for a happy and rewarding future, John.
Luke Steven Janik
Luke Steven Janik of Brecksville OH is the recipient of a $1,500 AMA/Charles Hampson Grant award. He is attending the University of Michigan and plans to major in biochemistry and premed. A graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, Luke finished high school with a grade point average of 4.119 out of a possible 4.553 and ranked 13th out of 312.
Luke was involved in many extracurricular activities during high school including National Honor Society, Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE). In the TATU and DARE programs, Luke was among a select group of high school students who traveled to area elementary schools to teach youngsters about the dangers of tobacco and drugs.
Luke was also a member of the Chamber Orchestra, a group of musicians who traveled many places to perform, including New York and Chicago.
A member as well, Luke was a member of his school's baseball team and a member of the Fielder's Choice Flames, an AAU baseball team. Practicing Tae Kwon Do for eight years, Luke earned his black belt in 1997 and was a state champion in 1999.
Pursuant to a career in medicine, Luke also volunteered at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and assisted an orthopedic surgeon on his research project.
Luke's most recent job has been with a nationwide entertainment company, LaserQuest. His job is that of “marshal” in a 10,000-square-foot Laser Tag arena.
Luke has been modeling since he was 13 years old. A member of the Westlake RC Club, Luke soloed in the summer of 1999. He has built an Eagle, a Tiger, and a PT-40 by himself and worked with his grandfather to complete a Cherokee. Luke credits many events and credits his success in modeling to his grandfather, who introduced him to the hobby.
AMA News
Michelle K. Stevenson
Michelle K. Stevenson of Greendale WI is the recipient of a $1,500 AMA/Charles Hampson Grant award as well as a $1,000 Sig Manufacturing Scholarship.
Michelle attends the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she plans to major in business. A graduate of Greendale High School, Michelle was active in many clubs, sports, and organizations.
A member of the National Honor Society, Michelle was also a participant in the Math Club, International Club, and Drama Club, as well as being a part of the stage crew that built and designed sets for shows and performing in the school's annual musical. She was a member of the school's Forensics, a weekly speech performance competition, and was nationally recognized by the National Forensics League.
Michelle played softball and swam junior varsity for two years before becoming captain of the varsity team. She received the Swimming Scholastic Achievement Award her senior year for having the best grades on the team. She also played in Magic Fast Pitch softball tournaments and attended the nationals in Ohio twice.
Michelle has been able to promote literacy as a participant in Story Time at the Greendale Public Library for eight years, where she reads, leads songs, and teaches crafts to children. She has also assisted the American Cancer Society with various fundraising events, filing, and data entry.
Working as seasonal help for two years at a ski resort, Michelle was employed at a local shoe store and sandwich shop.
Michelle's interest in modeling began when, as a preschooler, she would spend time in her father's model shop asking questions and building from scraps of balsa "just like my dad." She has built and flown a Great Planes PT-40 and helped build and/or repair several other models.
After several years of typing notes and minutes for her father, a club officer, this year Michelle was elected secretary/treasurer of the Milwaukee Area Radio Control Society, becoming the first female elected officer in the club's history.
She hopes that this will encourage other women to become involved in the sport.
Michelle wrote, "I have learned so much more about my hobby from holding this office, especially the efforts the AMA is making to attract youth. I plan to continue my modeling activities while attending college and also after I graduate."
Best of luck, Michelle, and AMA wishes you well in your endeavors!
Richard Luke Waters
Richard Luke Waters is the recipient of the $2,000 Sig Manufacturing Scholarship. Luke, of Rockville MD, graduated from Rockville High School and is attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott AZ. He is pursuing a degree in aeronautical science.
Having "a passion for things that fly" since he was four years old, Luke feels that a degree from Embry-Riddle will make him more than a pilot; it will give him a well-rounded course of instruction in all aeronautical fields.
As a member of AMA for five years, Luke has enjoyed flying a number of different airplanes. He became involved with Radio Control gliders while living in Lexington KY, where he was a member of the Bluegrass Soaring Society in Lexington.
After moving to Maryland he became an active member in the Capital Area Soaring Association (CASA) and a member of the Eastern Soaring League (ESL). As an avid participant in Radio Control glider competitions, Luke has accumulated a number of trophies and plaques at both the local and national levels.
Most recently Luke competed in the 2001 National Aeromodeling Championships in the F3B, F3J, Hand-Launched, Two-Meter, and Unlimited events. He placed in the top five of each event overall and took first place in each contest in the Senior division.
Luke has worked the last three years at the Westfield Works Wonders Holiday Charity program at Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton. He has earned 30 community-service hours in his Child Development class at Rockville High School.
Luke was also a member of the men's varsity volleyball team.
Luke has been employed making sailplane kits for retail sale, fueling aircraft, and providing office assistance at Montgomery County Aviation, as a mechanic in the making of target drones at the Naval Research Lab in Washington DC, and most recently assembling and servicing bicycles.
When not flying RC, Luke has been flying a Piper Cherokee and has recently earned his private pilot's license.
Good luck, Luke, and may you realize your dreams.
Nicholas A. Leonard
Nicholas A. Leonard is this year's recipient of the Tom Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship totaling $1,500. Nick is attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and plans to focus on mechanical or aeronautical engineering.
Nick attended elementary and middle schools in Bandera TX. He attended boarding school at Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio during his freshman and sophomore school years, and The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, again as a boarding student, his junior and senior years.
As a sophomore and a senior, Nick was selected as a prefect for his dormitory, a position of trust given to a student of character. Prefects, elected by the faculty, act as liaisons between parents and younger students. It is especially an honor for Nick to have earned the faculty's regard, as he had attended The Lawrenceville School for only one year.
Nick devoted several hours a week to the local Senior Center helping educate senior citizens on computers, focusing on the basics of word processing and Internet research. Said Nick, "It cannot be termed the most exciting thing I do, but it does bring satisfaction when a 'student' can now freely type and print letters, etc., where they were before writing or using a typewriter."
With one of his instructors, Nick co-wrote a chemistry textbook currently in use by all levels of the Lawrenceville School. The purpose of the manual was to aid students in the preparation for the SAT II and Advanced Placement Chemistry tests, and the use of this publication is also being considered by peers abroad.
Nick began building Outdoor Rubber models with his father before the age of 10, flying with the local clubs. He and his father attended the 1994 Nats in Lubbock TX. While at the Nats, Nick and his father saw Indoor models flying and were hooked.
Nick was on the 1998 Junior F1D team bound for Romania. With the aid and mentorship of modelers Steve Brown and Gary Underwood, Nick placed fourth in the 1998 World Championships and sixth in 2000. He has participated in numerous local, regional, and national Indoor contests and is a top national contestant in his age category.
The Academy wishes you good luck, Nick, and congratulations.
Scholarship Information
Due to an increase in inquiries regarding eligibility requirements for AMA-administered scholarships, the following information is provided.
In general, any current AMA member is eligible who has 1) been an AMA member for the last three years, 2) graduates from high school the year in which the award is to be granted, and 3) is enrolled in a college or university certificate or degree program.
Applicants are eligible to receive only one grant.
Detailed scholarship information can be found at our Web site: www.modelaircraft.org
Jack Frost Education Coordinator
Museum Donations
THE NATIONAL Model Aviation Museum and Lee Renaud Memorial Library are constantly striving to improve their collections in order to further document and display the history and evolution of aeromodeling.
We encourage and actively solicit the donation of archival materials, books, magazines, and artifacts that depict the history and ongoing development of aeromodeling.
If you wish to make a donation, please contact the Museum or Library staff prior to delivering or mailing the items. Items such as aircraft and prepared displays must be reviewed for acceptance by the Museum Acquisition Committee. The Committee requires that the following form be completed in its entirety and sent to us prior to acceptance of any artifact.
Information for Submission of Artifacts to Acquisition Committee
- Name:
- Address:
- Tel.: ( )__________________ E-mail: ____________________________
- Object to be donated: Aircraft ____ Radio ____ (skip to item 12) Engine ____ (skip to item 11) Other ____ (skip to item 12)
- Type: Free Flight _______ Radio Control _______ Control Line _______
- The model is built of: Wood _____ Metal _____ Other __________
- Name of model: ______________________________ Date model last flown: _______________
- Length: ______________________________ Wingspan: _________________________________
- Year the model was built: _________________________________________________________
- Who built the model: ____________________________________________________________
- Engine specifications: ___________________________________________________________
- Significance of item: ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
- Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________
- Recent color pictures required.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
