The Museum of Flight celebrated the achievements of 16 Washington high school students by awarding them a total of $276,000 in scholarships on May 8, 2025. The funding will support their ambitions in both post-secondary STEM education and flight training, providing a significant boost as they pursue their career goals in the aviation and aerospace industries. These annual scholarships recognize exceptional students who have actively engaged with the Museum’s educational outreach or are currently studying at Raisbeck Aviation High School.
This year’s cohort of scholarship recipients represents a broad spectrum of talent and dedication, drawn from 99 applicants spanning 33 school districts across the state. Notably, the 16 students hail from 11 different school districts and reflect a commitment to diversity, both racially and socioeconomically, with half of the awardees qualifying for government assistance. The group also demonstrates gender parity, with an equal number of young men and women among them. Their varied interests are united by a shared passion for aviation and space, with aspirations ranging from piloting commercial airliners or military aircraft to designing spacecraft and even becoming astronauts.
The scholarships awarded encompass a variety of specific funds, each with its own focus. These include the prestigious Frank “Sam” and Betty Houston Post-Secondary Scholarship, offering up to $120,000 for aerospace-related degrees, and multiple flight training scholarships named in honor of Frank “Sam” and Betty Houston, Alaska Airlines, and Benjamin L. Ellison, each providing up to $14,000 towards earning a Private Pilot License. Additional scholarships, such as the Aeronautical Science Pathway Scholarship, the Stephen and Hazel Eastman Memorial Post-Secondary Scholarship, the Stuart Knopp Memorial Scholarship, the Jim and Sue Johnson Post-Secondary STEM Education Scholarship, and the Reba Gilman Endowed Scholarships, offer financial support ranging from $5,000 to offset educational expenses or support specific pathways in aviation and STEM.
Dr. Dana Riley Black, the Museum’s Vice President of Education, emphasized the crucial role of the Museum’s educational programs in inspiring, exploring, and preparing students for future careers in aviation and space. She highlighted how these scholarships act as a vital link, connecting the Museum’s resources with the students’ next steps in their academic and professional journeys. Dr. Black also proudly noted the success of past recipients who have gone on to become commercial pilots and aerospace professionals, underscoring the long-term impact of these scholarships. The Boeing Academy for STEM Learning (BASL), the Museum’s education department created through significant investment from The Boeing Company and Mr. and Mrs. William E. Boeing, Jr., underpins these efforts by leveraging the Museum’s unique assets to cultivate a passion for STEM fields in young learners.
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