FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Laboda
Phone: 941-567-2271
alaboda@wiai.org

Scholarships Totaling $622,735 Awarded at the International Women in Aviation Conference

Women in Aviation, International announced $622,735 in scholarship awards at the 13 th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference held recently in Nashville, TN. The scholarship awards, a decrease from the 2001 Conference, but more than in 2000, were presented to 63 individuals.

Scholarships are awarded each year at the Conference. Selection factors include: achievements, attitude toward self and others, commitment to success, dedication to career, financial need, motivation, reliability, responsibility and teamwork. Each year, WAI strives to offer additional scholarships to suit the needs of the organization's diverse membership. The 2002 scholarships were awarded in the following areas: dispatching, engineering, flight training (private pilot, type ratings), maintenance (A&P, complex systems training, engine training), aviation management and monetary awards to be used toward continuing education.

"One of the greatest success stories of Women in Aviation, International has been the phenomenal growth and diversity of the scholarship program," said Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President of WAI.

According to WAI Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Mary Ann Eiff, "We are delighted to offer scholarships for these deserving individuals, and grateful to the aviation organizations that support WAI's efforts to encourage women to consider a career in aviation." Eiff added that 608 individuals applied for this year's scholarships.

The following companies awarded scholarships to these individuals:

ADF-Airline Dispatcher's Federation
Dispatcher License Training
Pamela Greuel, Auburn, AL
Sani Sammons, Decatur, GA, Georgia State University
Sonal Gopujkar, Mumbai, India
Sevda Tantan, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey

AEA-Aircraft Electronics Association
Cash Award
Courtney McMillan, Brevard, NC, Brevard High School

AEPS Aviation Employee Placement Service
4-year College Tuition Scholarship
Susan Reynolds, Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie High School
Renewal for 2nd year : Christina Marie Naber - Roselle, IL, University of North Dakota

Airbus
Flight - Type Rating Scholarship
Debra Siligato, Vancouver, WA
Monika Zajac, Tinley Park, IL

Leadership Scholarship
Laurie Ann Goossens, Daytona Beach, FL, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Joann Lawson, Shelbyville, TN, Middle Tennessee State University

Aircraft Technical Publishers
Maintenance Technician of the Year Award
Kimberly Dawn Szarmack, Wayne, MI, Northwest Airlines Mechanic, Detroit, MI

Amelia Earhart Society
Cash Award
Tara Trimmer, Fenton, MO, Parks College, St. Louis University

Atlantic Coast Airlines
Flight Scholarship
Kelly Denny, Myrtle Beach, SC
Jannie M. Coffey, Boulder, CO
Joan Kozdeba, Boulder, CO

The Boeing Company
Career Enhancement Scholarship
Jennifer J. Collins, Portland, OR, ERAU, Portland, OR
Sjohnna M. Knack, Reno, NV
Boeing Engineering Internship
Vanessa Williams, Fairview Heights, IL, St. Louis University

Bombardier
Maintenance Scholarship
Rachelle Boeck, Warren, MI
Flight Scholarship
Dawn Wells, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Melissa Hilyar, Forest Lake, MN
Zlatka Dimitrova, Marietta, SC, Bob Jones University

Cessna
Private Pilot Scholarship
Cynthia Neff, Burlington, IA

CL Award
Maintenance/Flight Scholarship
Paula M. Sasser, St. Louis, MO, Parks College of Aeronautics and Aviation, SLU

Continental Airlines
Flight Scholarship
Christine DeWitt
Lynda Meeks

Delta Airlines
Engineering Scholarship
Gena Lenea Brown, Covina, CA, Mt. San Antonio College
Management Scholarship
Elaine McLaughlin, North Ridgeville, OH, ERAU, Daytona Beach
Maintenance Scholarship
Sherrie Jean Fenton, Upland, CA, Chaffey College

FlightSafety/ASA
Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine and Regional type Rating
Kim Jagiello

AOPA Flight Training Magazine
Conference Attendance Sponsorship
Dena Marie Fox, Centreville, VA
Amanda Svec, Estelline, SD, South Dakota State University

Cornelia Fort Memorial Scholarship
Conference Attendance Sponsorship
Raelene Crowe, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Henrietta Marie Ball, Seattle, WA

Susan Friedenberg Flight Attendant
Winner to be selected later

GAT Airline Ground Support
Cash Award
Amanda O'Brien, West St. Paul, MN, ERAU, Daytona Beach

Elisha Hall Bizzaro Memorial
Cash Award
Kimberly Conrad, Cincinnati, OH, Purdue University
Carol Pass, Helen, AL

Paul Irvin Memorial Scholarship
Maintenance Scholarship
Melody Hernandez, Olds Mar, FL, National Aviation Academy, Clearwater, FL

Northwest Airlines
Flight Scholarship
Christine Hilton, Mooresville, NC
Sara Mahanna, Eden Prairie, MN
Erika Arquilla, Addison, IL
Maintenance
Avionics: Lori Lynn Gardner, Roberts, WI
Maintenance: Jennifer MacKenzie, Ridley Park, PA
Sherrie Fenton, Upland, CA, Chaffey College
Nan Jervey, San Francisco, CA, College of Alameda Air Facility

Pratt & Whitney
Maintenance
Adriana Attar, Chino Hills, CA, Chaffey College
Stella Burton, Indianapolis, IN
Jennifer Mackenzie, Ridley Park, PA
Kelly Pietrowicz, Midwest City, OK, Rose State College
Susan Mashibe, Portage, MI

Pro Pubs
Conference Attendance Sponsorship
Paula Michelle Sasser, St. Louis, MO, Parks College of Engineering and Aviation, St. Louis University

Rockwell Collins
Cash Award
Valerie Barker, Liberal, MO, Oklahoma State University

R-W Foundation
Cash Award
Mary Ellen Killough Baker, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

SimuFlite
Flight Scholarship
Beth Ann Harris, Fayetteville, AR
Stacey Lee Kotrla, Flower Mound, TX

Southwest Airlines
Flight Scholarship
Tracy Corbin
Korena Davis
Kimberly Cooper

WAI Achievement Awards
Cash Award
Amanda Lee Harris, St. Ann, MO, St. Louis University
Captain Neetu Gupta, Mahim, Mumbai, India

Women in Aviation Educator of the Year
Jeanne MacPherson, Helena, MT, ERAU Distance Learning

Women in Aviation Management Award
Cash Award
Jeanne MacPherson, Helena, MT, ERAU Distance Learning

Women in Corporate Aviation
Cash Award
Kimberly Conrad, Cincinnati, OH, Purdue University
Bridget McKee, Pagosa Springs, CO
Bettina Oborny, Hollywood, FL

Women Military Aviators
Cash Award
Dianna Hoover

For additional details, contact Mary Ann Eiff at eiff@gte.net or the WAI Web site at www.wiai.org.

Scholarships will be awarded at the 14 th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, March 20-22, 2003, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Scholarship opportunities will be announced in the September/October issue of Aviation for Women and on WAI's web site. The application deadline is December 6, 2002.

The International Women in Aviation Conference is sponsored by Women in Aviation, International. WAI is based in Daytona Beach, Florida, a non-profit organization with 7,800 members. WAI is dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. For more information, contact WAI at 101 Corsair Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, Phone (386) 226-7996; Fax (386) 226-7998; Web www.wiai.org.

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Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit, professional organization dedicated to encouraging women to consider an aviation career, providing educational outreach activities and networking resources to women active in the industry. WAI is based in Daytona Beach, Florida, and serves more than 6,500 international members.