Awards and Scholarships

Twelve students awarded a total of $59,360 for academic pursuits

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has helped graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, with individual scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000 each year. This year, $59,360 was awarded to students. Student scholarships are awarded each year thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. AMA has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships since founding the scholarship program.

Award designations are set by the AMA Scholarship Committee, which is made up of model aviation pilots and enthusiasts. The committee evaluates each application and ranks it based on GPA, community involvement, model flying experience, and model flying competition participation.

AMA and its foundation want to thank each family that has contributed to the memorial scholarships, as well as the hundreds of other donors to the scholarship program. Without their generous contributions, these gifts would not be possible.

AMA would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected this year to receive the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and other scholarships:

Jack Tian (Fullerton, CA): $11,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship; $1,500 Ryan Sherrow Memorial Scholarship

Jacob Shutic (Painesville, OH): $8,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Joshua Shutic (Painesville, OH): $8,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Roman Stalick (Longview, WA): $6,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Zack Cozzolino (Pueblo, CO): $5,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Adealaide Machado Ulm (Fairfax, VA): $4,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Elihu Conant-Haque (Greenfield Center, NY): $4,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Joseph Daly (Lynbrook, NY): $3,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Titus Smith (Elizabeth, CO): $3,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Ivan Valishev (Geneva, IL): $2,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship; $5,000 Clifford and Nancy Telford Memorial Scholarship

Dalton Rogers (Houston, TX): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Ryan Wheless (Flagstaff, AZ): $1,360 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

Mark Sedlak: $1,500 Basil and Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship

 

A total of $56,069.32 has been awarded in grants.

Congratulations to the 2020 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.  

Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)

26 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement grants in 2020! AMA established the Flying Site Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs and fields. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year as well as from funding from the AMA Foundation. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate. This year, $41,464.32 was awarded.

ClubAmount 

Rhode Island Aeromodelers $1,538.36

Southern New Hampshire Flying Eagles R/C Club $2,621.75

Brauer's Aviators $441.35

Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers  (FlyRC) $393.20

Anderson Flyers RC Club $533.58

Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club $3,000.00

Charlotte Aeromodelers $3,000.00

District of Columbia Radio Control (DCRC) Club $972.00

Bay City Flyers $3,000.00

Blount County Model Aviators $1,135.00

Seminole Radio Control Club $1,811.00

Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky $1,841.75

Fort Wayne Flying Circuits $377.00

Henderson RC Model Airplane Club $516.57

Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association $1,660.47

Midwest Air Wing R/C Club $3,000.00

Des Moines Modelaires $1,298.35

Flying Pilgrims $1,606.82

Lake County Modelers and Flyers Association $3,000.00

Wausau RC Sportsmen $1,476.00

ARF RC Flying Club $516.50

Good Ole Okies Flying Society $1,090.00

Sky Corral R/C Club $1,940.75

Silent Electric Fliers of San Diego $496.45

Tri Valley RC Modelers $3,000.00

Puget Sound Silent Flyers $1,197.42

   

Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant

23 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2020! AMA awards up to $1,000 to clubs that implement a Take off And Grow (TAG) program in their local communities. TAG programs provide newcomers to model aviation an opportunity to learn about the hobby as well as practice flying model aircraft with experienced club members. TAG grants are awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. This year, $14,605.00 was awarded.

Club NameAmount

Aeroguidance Society$790.00

Meroke Radio Control$1,000.00

Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (PORKS)$800.00

Valley City R/C Club, Inc.$1,000.00

Holly Springs Skyhawks Radio Control Group$800.00

Johnston County Aeromodelling Club$1,000.00

Largo Flying Club$500.00

Flagler City Radio Aero Modelers$800.00

Stone Mountain Radio Control Flyers$500.00

Henderson Radio Control Model Airplane Club$715.00

Madison Area Radio Control Society (MARCS)$500.00

Lake County Modelers & Flyers$500.00

Milan Flyers$400.00

Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron$400.00

Corsicana R/C Flyers$300.00

Richardson Radio Control Club$1,000.00

Casper Airmodelers Association$400.00

Rapid City Propbusters$500.00

Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers, LEAF$500.00

Lincoln Sky Knights$400.00

Casa Grande RC Flyers$1,000.00

Oasis Flyers (Flying Aces)$800.00

   

 

Thirteen students awarded a total of $50,000 for academic pursuits The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has helped graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, with individual scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000 each year. This year, $50,000 was awarded to students. Student scholarships are awarded each year thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. AMA has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships since founding the scholarship program. Award designations are set by the AMA Scholarship Committee, which is made up of model aviation pilots and enthusiasts. The committee evaluates each application and ranks it based on GPA, community involvement, model flying experience, and model flying competition participation. AMA and its foundation want to thank each family that has contributed to the memorial scholarships, as well as the hundreds of other donors to the scholarship program. Without their generous contributions, these gifts would not be possible. AMA would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected this year to receive the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and other scholarships: Matthew J. Harmon (Peachtree City, GA): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Lucas Javier Gandarillas (Pembroke Pines, FL): $3,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Andrew Sabini: $1,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Benjamin Robert Mills (Ozark, MO): $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $1,500 Ryan Sherrow Memorial Scholarship Lily Gwendolyn Mikes (Oklahoma City, OK): $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Ethan Ater (Louisville, KY): $4,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Luke Young (Greenbrier, TN): $2,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Rylan Ritch (Magnolia, TX): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Robert van Zyl (Peachtree City, GA): $1,500, Basil and Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship Nicole Kane (Arlington Heights, IL): $7,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $500 Toledo Weak Signals Club Scholarship Jack Spencer Ireland Samson (Olympia, WA): $3,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship Sabrina Fogel (San Diego, CA): $6,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $5,000, Clifford and Nancy Telford Memorial Scholarship Donnie Petsche (Chula Vista, CA): $4,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $500, Toledo Weak Signals Club Scholarship

Trevor Burke, a now current student at Southern Methodist University in Texas, received the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and is now looking back at his first semester in college. With the help of the scholarship, Trevor has been able to attend Southern Methodist University and pursue a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics and has had the opportunity to join several clubs on campus. Trevor completed his first semester at the University with all A's and was one of 27 recipients out of the entire freshman class to be selected as a Hunt Leadership Scholar. He learned a lot about leadership and how to manage motivation and the process that come along with management positions. Outside of class, Trevor is involved in the SMU Mustang Marching Band where he plays the tuba. They have played at several different games, stadiums, and tournaments including the Boca Raton Bowl in Florida and the Cotton Bowl. In order to make the most of his time in college, Trevor also joined several engineering clubs on campus. These clubs work on creating new ideas and improving already existing designs. Trevor has had a hand in implementing new designs for a stronger engine, smaller wheels, and a longer body for Hilltop Motorsports. He has also had hands-on experience with the SMU Rocketry Club wherethey design and test rockets for the Spaceport America Collegiate Competition. So far the club has created the airframe and body of the rocket and chemically produced the rocket fuel. "Overall, this semester has been very memorable. Thank you so much this scholarship. I really appreciate it and am continually mindful of your trust and confidence in me. With it, I am able to eagerly pursue my studies as an engineer and explore many different and exciting organizations on campus at SMU." - Trevor Burke

 

The 2020 Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG) online application opens October 1, 2019. Since 2002, the AMA has financially supported more than 400 clubs in their site improvement efforts. That’s over half a million dollars in grant funds to clubs. The AMA, in conjunction with the AMA Foundation, is proud of our record of giving, and we are eager to share how we’ve improved the FSIG guidelines and application process for members. See below for what’s new for 2020!

• New final application deadline, February 1 of each year
• Revised application requirements and updated grant guidelines
• Clubs can now request 25 percent of their project costs (an increase from 10 percent in previous years), up to $3,000!
• Clubs can now apply for the Flying Site Improvement Grant every year!
• Clubs have the opportunity to submit an optional complete draft of their application in early January for preliminary feedback from the Grants and Programs Coordinator and the club's designated District Vice President.
• The online application is new and improved, featuring a save button so applicants can work in stages!

To learn more or apply for the 2020 grant, visit modelaircraft.org/site-grant. For questions, please contact Kelsie Walker, Grants and Programs Coordinator, kelsiew@modelaircraft.org or 765-287-1256 x279.

 

Congratulations to Lucila “Lucy” Montserrath Zurita Osorio, who was awarded the Dewey O. Broberg Memorial Scholarship during this year’s UAS4STEM national competition held at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. The UAS4STEM team selected Lucy for her great attitude, dedication to the team, determination, and adherence to the rules and purpose of the competition. 

 

Lucy attends Duarte High School in California. Her love of physics and her goal to become an aerospace engineer drove her to join her school’s UAS4STEM team. Throughout the challenge, she has enjoyed learning about aerodynamics, robotics, and hands-on activities that involve math and science.  

 

When asked what she most enjoyed about UAS4STEM, Lucy stated, “My favorite part about UAS4STEM is hard to pick. I love the competitive drive that escalated throughout the year; the network of amazing people that are willing to help you better your club and yourself; the fact that you get to do something you love; the level of collaboration that helped me realize how an engineering environment is going to be like; the basic aspects of UAS4STEM, like engineering, problem-solving/critical thinking; [and] learning about the world of aviation and its ongoing improvement in technology. I cannot pinpoint my favorite part about UAS4STEM. The program is just so immensely big and fascinating.” 

 

Lucy hopes to study aerospace engineering or applied math or science at her dream school, California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. Outside the classroom, she enjoys tennis, basketball, and robotics club.  

 

The AMA congratulates Lucy on his award. 

  

Click here to learn more about the Dewey O. Broberg Memorial Scholarship. 

  

Click here to view photos from this year’s UAS4STEM National competition. 

Thirteen students awarded a total of $50,000 for academic pursuits The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has helped graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, with individual scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000 each year. This year, $50,000 total was awarded to students. Student scholarships are awarded each year thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation patrons across the country. AMA has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships since founding the scholarship program. AMA is happy to announce that 13 high school graduates from across the nation will benefit from the AMA scholarship fund this year. The scholarship money is generated through donations by model aviation organizations, individuals, and AMA members, and a portion of AMA member dues. Award designations are set by the AMA Scholarship Committee, which is made up of model aviation pilots and enthusiasts. The committee evaluates each application and ranks it based on GPA, community involvement, model flying experience, and model flying competition participation. AMA and its foundation want to thank each family that has contributed to the memorial scholarships, as well as the hundreds of other donors to the scholarship program. Without their generous contributions, these gifts would not be possible. AMA would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected this year to receive the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and others:

1. Robert Van Zyl (Peachtree, GA): $7,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship; $1,000 Weak Signals Club Scholarship

1. Stoil Avramov (Elkridge, MD): $2,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship; $5,000 Clifford and Nancy Telford Scholarship 

1. Sparsh Desai: $6,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship; $500 Weak Signals Club Scholarship

1. Thomas Holcomb (Marietta, GA): $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $500 Weak Signals Club Scholarship

1. Jacob Pulsipher (West Richland, WA): $4,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship, $1,000 Ryan Sherrow Memorial Scholarship

1. Joseph Thibodeau (Appling, GA): $4,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Trevor Burke (Dallas): $3,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Kyle Albrecht (Fenton, MI): $3,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Darius Rieger (Cape Elizabeth, ME): $2,500, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Julia Minicozzi (Babylon, NY): $2,000, Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Linda Markham (Carrollton, GA): $1,000 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship

1. Joshua McCreary (Suffolk, VA): $1,000 Basil and Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship

1. Edward Bukowski (Parkland, FL): $500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship