Epic Flight Academy announced the winners of the 6th Annual Aviation Scholarship Awards during its annual event on Nov. 6. The ceremony included a career fair featuring sponsors Cessna/Textron Aviation, Air Wisconsin, United Airlines, Piper Aircraft, SkyWest, Southern Airways Express, Piedmont Airlines, Republic Airways, FEAM Maintenance & Engineering, and New Smyrna Beach Outfitters. Epic awarded four scholarships to high school students totaling $65,000 and another $4,000 to current Epic students. New Smyrna Beach Mayor Russ Owen was on hand to present the awards.
Scholarship Recipients:
- Abdul Maflahi, Homewood, Alabama: Abdul received a $20,000 pilot training scholarship. He attends Homewood High School where he is the class president. Abdul emigrated from Yemen with his family when he was just 13 years old. Speaking no English, his hard work and determination paid off, and he was fluent in just 3 years. Abdul has received numerous awards from the Air Force Junior ROTC and has a robust record of volunteerism in his community. In fact, the faculty, staff and students of Homewood High School selected him as “Mr. Homewood.”
- Luke Hamilton, Tampa, Florida: Luke attends H.B. Plant High School and received a $5,000 pilot training scholarship. Luke has already soloed and logged time in a Cessna 172, the type of aircraft Epic uses for flight training. He has completed ground school and is preparing for his FAA written exam. Luke earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2018. He is a member of the National Honor Society and an outstanding scholar-athlete. Luke’s impressive community service includes volunteering to lead quarterly clean-ups in the Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Initiative.
- Tyler Vischer, Port Orange, Florida: Tyler attends the TESA Academy at Atlantic High School. He received a $20,000 aircraft mechanic scholarship. Tyler has volunteered at past scholarship events at Epic and helped wash airplanes here during a fundraising event for his class. He has spent the last two summers volunteering at Baker Aviation where he changed oil and removed or installed spark plugs. Tyler also helped rebuild a Cessna 150 by installing elevators, flaps, and rudder. Tyler participates in Young Eagles and has had his eye on an aviation career for a long time.
- Julia Juedes, Winneconne, Wisconsin: Julia attends Winneconne High School where she is currently taking a small engine class. She received a $20,000 aircraft mechanic scholarship. Julia plans on earning an aerospace degree and is looking forward to training as an aircraft mechanic as it will support her long-term plans. Her ultimate career goal is to become an FAA investigator.
Epic received dozens of outstanding applications from around the country. The annual event supports high school students who aspire to careers in aviation.
Epic Student Scholarships
Epic also awarded $1,000 each to four current Epic Flight Academy students:
• Kyne Fenton - Private Pilot Training
• Joseph McGrath - Instrument Training
• Dominick Bubeck - Commercial Pilot Training
• Michael Brooks - CFI Training
Epic has awarded more than $210,000 over the past 6 years to 15 high school students. Also, each year, sponsors participate in a fishing tournament to support the scholarship event.
Most Outstanding Catch: Evan Foster & Sean Cross - Piedmont Airlines
Lady Angler: Heather Phyllips - Air Wisconsin
Junior Angler: Kyler Hale
Inshore Trash Fish Winner: Erik Perna and Kyler Hale
Inshore Slam Winner: Heather Phyllips and Noah Yaakoby - Air Wisconsin
Overall Winner: John Brantley - Republic Airways
