AMTSociety Announces 2013 Scholarships Winners
AMTSociety is delighted to announce the winners of its 2013 scholarship programs. AMTSociety Scholarships were created to financially assist students in an approved AMT program, active duty military, reserve and National Guard personnel, and those already certified in furthering their professional education and training. Academic and training scholarships are an integral part of AMTSociety’s purpose and one way AMTSociety is committed to future aircraft maintenance technicians in the highly skilled aircraft maintenance profession.
Each academic scholarship is valued at $1,500. The U.S. Military Scholarship is offered in conjunction with Baker’s School of Aeronautics in Nashville, TN. This scholarship for active duty military members eligible to test for the FAA A&P Certificates, includes tuition for Baker’s two-week A&P Mechanics Course, fees for written, oral and practical testing, hotel (11-13 days), and a $200 gift card from Kroger’s.
Joe Hawkins, AMTSociety Director and Scholarship Chair, is pleased to introduce our 2013 winners:
Charles E. Taylor Scholarship: Ryan A. Stahlbusch – Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Stahlbusch is a U.S. Air Force veteran and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Maintenance Management as well as his Airframe and Powerplant certificate. Ryan earned an Associate’s degree through the Community of the Air Force and has placed on the MTSU Dean’s List with a 4.0 GPA every semester. In the Air Force, Ryan was a first line supervisor for maintenance on the C-17 and C-5 and received numerous citations, including “Airman of the Year” in both units. Ryan is a committed community volunteer in several projects through his church, including the local “Wounded Warrior” project.
Thomas “Tom” E. Hendershot Scholarship: Ms. Maria Liberto – Aviation Institute of Maintenance/Chesapeake, VA. Ms. Liberto holds an Associate Degree in Engineering and is working toward a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Old Dominion University. Maria also volunteers as a math and science tutor in the city schools of Norfolk and Chesapeake, VA. She is the 2012 NBAA William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship recipient and a docent at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA. Maria was the team leader and participial investigator for wind shear waves experiment flown aboard the NASA Zeros-G airplane research lab.
William “Bill” F. O’Brien Scholarship: Mr. Joshua Knowlton – Lane Community College. Knowlton holds a 4.0 GPA working toward an Associate’s degree and his Airframe and Powerplant credentials. He is a mechanics helper at Synergy Air in Eugene, OR. Joshua has numerous commendations for his leadership traits and interpersonal skills, both as a lead driver/instructor with a local towing operator and in the school setting.
U.S. Military Scholarship: Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Moravec - U.S. Coast Guard. Petty Officer Moravec is an Aviation Maintenance Technician/Flight Mechanic at the Coast Guard Air Station, Port Angeles, WA. Petty Office Moravec earned an Associate’s Degree (With Honors) and is now enrolled in Bachelor of Science degree program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds a FAA Private Pilot certificate and is working toward his instrument/multi-engine ratings. He developed an A&P study guide and organized several group study sessions for other Coast Guard AMTs working toward their FAA certifications. As a flight crewmember, Moravec received numerous awards and commendations, including the Perchard Memorial Trophy for outstanding aircrew, Enlisted Person of the Year, and the Mason’s of Washington Military Person of the Year in 2012.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is awarding its scholarship to Douglas F. Rand, who is attending Tulsa Technology Center in Tulsa, OK.
The scholarship winners will be acknowledged at AviationPros LIVE in Las Vegas.
Snap-on presents William O’Brien Trophy
Sponsoring the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is part of Snap-on’s expanded three-year commitment to AviationPros LIVE. The event gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. The Maintenance Skills Competition runs in Las Vegas from 10 a.m. March 13 through 5 p.m. March 14, with the award presentations starting at 9 a.m. March 15.
The William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, will be bestowed to the team with the overall winning score from the Maintenance Skills Competition, and be on display in the winning team’s facility for a year. In addition to the trophy, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to other top finishers in the competition.
