Helen Lu, a Santa Monica High School 11th grade student, has been announced as the winner of the Flying Scholarship for Girls Samirah Zaina Award. Helen received her award at a ceremony at Santa Monica Airport on Saturday April 25. Karynn Adams, a 10th grade student from Venice High School is the first alternate.
This year's Finalists were from Archer School for Girls, Santa Monica High School, Venice High School, and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet.
The event was attended by the finalist students, their relatives, school teachers, scholarship's judges, the principal donor, scholarship's volunteer staff, and guests.
Each finalist received a complimentary flying lesson and a signed pilot's logbook.
Flying Scholarship for High School Girls is a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)-related effort designed to encourage high school girls to explore opportunities in technical fields such as aviation and aerospace. The scholarship is a complement to high schools' STEM program.
To acknowledge the importance and contribution of educators in society, each finalist was asked to nominate a teacher who has had a positive influence on the student as a mentor and a teacher. The nominated teachers were also invited and received a complimentary flight as well as a gift of an autographed book (Code name Verity) from the students. The recognized teachers were Shane Berning of Archer School, Kelly Okla of Samohi, Haygo Salibian of Venice High School, and Rick Nelsen of Westchester Magnet.
Each award is named after the main contributor. For example the Samirah Zaina Award was made possible through flight instruction time generously donated by Samirah Zaina, a Certified Flight Instructor. Samirah is also an Air Traffic Controller, employed by FAA. The airplane time - to be flown in a Pipistrel Alpha Trainer aircraft - was a donated by Kelar Aviation. Operations support is provided by Justice Aviation.
The winner of the scholarship receives 30 hours of airplane and instruction time during a 30-month period.
Although a Light Sport Pilot's license is the stated objective of the scholarship, the students learn about aerodynamics, theory of flight, meteorology, geography, navigation, propulsion systems, mechanical systems, electronics, electricity, communications, mathematics, flight planning, safety, regulations, and piloting techniques.
Organizers credited the girls for their passion and potential. The applicants had to state why they wanted to be pilot, provide insights about themselves, and express their aspirations
A small group of volunteers started and continue to administer this scholarship. Funds are solicited through fund-raisers and online at www.flysmo.com.
For more information, see the Flying Scholarship website at www.flysmo.com or write to info@flysmo.com.
