RELATIONSHIP VALUE
MEMBER CENTRAL
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Harrison Ford Education Scholarship Fund
WHEN EAA DONORS RALLY TO reach an
important fundraising goal, it’s a cause
for celebration. Especially when the goal
involves preserving the future of flight.
In late 2009, Jim and Angela
Thompson challenged their fellow EAA
members: Match their contribution of
$100,000 to the Harrison Ford Education
Scholarship Fund, which was established
by the Thompsons to enable EAA’s youth
to make their dreams a reality.
Angela and Jim Thompson with Harrison Ford.
This month, EAA is happy to share
exciting news: We have almost reached
that goal, having currently raised more
than $96,000 for the Harrison Ford
Education Scholarship Fund. Many
charitable donors invested in the future of
EAA youth. Gifts came from individuals
and organizations the world over,
including generous donations from GPS
leader Garmin and former Federated
Department Stores CEO Jim Zimmerman.
OVER THE PAST TWO months,
EAA awarded nearly $300,000 in
scholarships to fund the dreams
of our youth. From visiting
Air Academy, to participating in flight training, to
attending universities to pursue advanced degrees in
aviation, we have been able to launch the dreams of
so many young people.
It is inspiring to know that, together, we
have contributed to their futures and helped
prepare them for the skies ahead. EAA’s continual
membership support is proof that our organization
is built on partnerships. Growing participation
requires commitment from the entire community—a
commitment that is displayed by generous individuals
like Jim and Angela Thompson, Jim Zimmerman, Gary
Kelley, and Nicolas Chabbert.
The rewards of these efforts are tremendous.
Lives of our youth are forever changed, as we prepare
our nation’s next generation of industry leaders,
aviation pioneers, engineers, innovators, and pilots
for success.
You, too, can be part of this network by helping
aspiring young achievers. To be part of EAA’s future
and find your pathway to support, contact EAA Vice
President of Donor and Business Development Elissa
Lines at 800-236-1025 or at elines@eaa.org.
Together, let’s help aviation’s youth chart the
courses of their lives.
–Tom Poberezny
OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME
DAHER-SOCATA International Scholarships
EVERY YEAR SINCE 2006, the hard work and dedication of two high
school students pays off as they land the internship of their dreams:
five weeks at leading general aviation manufacturer DAHER-SOCATA’s Tarbes facility in France, followed by a week at an EAA
Air Academy in Oshkosh.
The annually awarded internship is made possible by the
DAHER-SOCATA International Scholarship Fund. Kylie Fencil
from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and Cory Ravetto from
Kalispell, Montana, are this year’s recipients. “I am so happy! I was
crossing my fingers every day, hoping that I would be considered for
this,” Fencil said. “I really want to be in the aerospace industry, and
I can’t wait to work with the professionals at SOCATA in France.”
Nicolas Chabbert, president of SOCATA North America, believes
an internship abroad can be the experience of
a lifetime for students to expand their horizons
and broaden their world perspective. “It gives
students exposure to international culture
and industry,” explains Chabbert. “When the
interns leave, you can see the direct impact the
experience had on their life. It gives them a
better idea if aviation is an area they’d like to
pursue, strengthening their sentiment toward their career path.”
Nicolas Chabbert,
president of SOCATA
North America
Ultimately, Chabbert’s goal for the program is to keep EAA’s
youth interested in aviation from their first flight on. Without
SOCATA’s support, such opportunities for EAA’s youth simply
would not be possible.
