San Diego Air & Space Museum Awards Annual Scholarships

"The best and the brightest" chosen as scholarship recipients
(May 31, 2006) - The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park takes great pride in announcing its 2006 Scholarship Award recipients from its three scholarship endowments -- the Convair Alumni Association, Bill Gibbs, and R.A. Rearwin programs.

Sixteen scholarship winners were chosen from approximately 40 applications submitted from San Diego area high school seniors attending a four-year college in the fall.

Known by the Endowment Board as "the Museum’s finest hour," an Awards Ceremony and Reception is scheduled at the Museum on Wednesday, June 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where a total of $35,500 will be awarded to the college-bound seniors.

"Awarding these scholarships is always a high point of the year," said Amelia Chapman, the Museum’s Director of Education. "It is great to be able to recognize students’ hard work, and to contribute in at least a small way to their future success."

According to Donna Lilly, President of the Endowment Board, "More than 95 percent of past awardees have completed their bachelor’s degree and go on to graduate school."

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is committed to inspiring young people of all ages to excel in math and the sciences, and to educate through its hugely popular educational programs offered throughout the year. The Museum’s scholarship awards back up this commitment. Since 1989 the Museum has awarded over 146 scholarships totaling $388,400.

The Bill Gibbs scholarships, established in 1989, are awarded to students with strong aviation or aerospace career interests, and who are pursuing a degree in math, physics, science or engineering. Four recipients were each awarded $2,500:

• Ramon Cervantes
  Mar Vista High School
  University of California, Berkeley
  Major: Engineering
  Ramon founded the Innovational Society, the science club, at his school. Ramon credits his mother who attended college while raising him alone as his inspiration.
• Jordan Gottdank
  Torrey Pines High School
  Oberlin College
  Major: Math and Physics
  Jordan volunteered in the curatorial department, and as a teaching assistant at the San Diego Air & Space Museum while attending school.
• Seyhan Gunes
  Mt. Carmel High School
  San Diego State University
  Major: Aerospace Engineering
  Seyhan immigrated to the United States in his 9th grade year, and has since learned English.
• Edwin Howell
  Cathedral Catholic High School
  Stanford University
  Major: Aeronautical Engineering
  Edwin will also be playing volleyball for Stanford.

In 1997 the Convair Alumni Scholarship Fund was established for direct descendants (both natural and adopted) of former San Diego area employees of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, or General Dynamics Corporation. Ten recipients each were awarded $2,100:

• Allison Aubrey
  Santana High School
  San Diego State University
  Major: Elementary Education
  Allison used to play "school" with her animals and while in high school she volunteered in the 3rd grade classroom.
• Nicholas Calta
  Cathedral Catholic High School
  Georgetown University
  Major: Chemistry
  Nicholas interned in the UCSD biochemistry lab.
• Bryce Garber
  Granite Hills High School
  University of California, Berkeley
  Major: International Business
  While in high school, Bryce started his own car detailing business.
• Amanda Hill
  Rancho Buena Vista High School
  University of California, Los Angeles
  Major: Biology
  Amanda wants to be a doctor and was inspired, in part, by her participation in sports and physical therapy.
• Jennifer Hoey
  University City High School
  University of California, Berkeley
  Major: Environmental Science
  Jennifer volunteers at the Stephen Birch Aquarium, and has explored the Channel Islands with the Sea Education Association Seminar.
• Kelli LaCosta
  Cathedral Catholic High School
  Purdue University
  Major: Aviation Science
  Kelli is working to receive her Private Pilot’s license, and recently attended the Women in Aviation Conference.
• Jessica Mendez
  Point Loma High School
  University of California, San Diego
  Major: Microbiology
  Jessica interned in UCSD lab
• Natalie Rigoglioso
  Cathedral Catholic High School
  Cathedral University
  Major: Nursing
  Natalie volunteers her time at Pomerado Hospital
• Shelli Skinner
  University City High School
  University of California, Berkeley
  Major: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
  Shelli wrote a Yahtzee game program
• Troy Widmann
  Valhalla High School
  University of Southern California
  Major: Engineering
  Troy recently earned his Eagle Scout award

The R.A. Rearwin Scholarships were established in 2000 and named after the longstanding Museum board member are, like the Bill Gibbs funds, awarded to students with strong aviation or aerospace career interests who are pursuing a degree in math, physics, science or engineering. The 2006 award recipients each receiving $2,250 are:

• Paul Fiechtner
  Rancho Bernardo High School
  Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  Major: Engineering
  Paul's goal is to become an Air Force pilot following his grandfather who trained at Camp Kearny as a World War I aviator.
• Tristan Luce
  Rancho Bernardo High School
  University of Arizona
  Major: Aerospace Engineering
  Tristan recently earned his Private Pilot’s License

The San Diego Air & Space Museum salutes the outstanding achievements of these students and invites others to apply. Scholarship applications are available through the Museum’s Education Department, (619) 234-8291, Ext. 19.