Launched on Monday, May 6th and seeing more than 150 qualified applications, I Hart Flying Foundation recently announced the newest four scholars to their growing Hart Nation.
“Our diverse selection committee of industry professionals have the most challenging job to choose the best scholars that represent our Hart Nation,” shared Rachelle Spector, founder of I Hart Flying Foundation (IHFF). “It’s my pleasure to congratulate and welcome these talented women to our Hart Nation as we aid their journeys in flight and help them soar. Congratulations Arian Perez, Kayla Wildes, Ginger Kelly, and Shalynn Swails.”
A private pilot out of Midland, MI where the funds will support her instrument rating, Arian Perez shared, “What an honor to be chosen as a Hart Scholar from so many qualified applicants who undoubtedly share my passion for aviation! I am so grateful for this opportunity, which will allow me to complete the next phase of my training and bring me closer to my goal of spending the rest of my life teaching people to fly. Thank you I Hart Flying team and partners!”
This cycle of awards marks the third large scholarship offering as part of IHFF’s multi-year campaign, Hart Aviation Nation Delivers – H.A.N.D. for short. To date, 12 women became Hart Scholars receiving over $75,000 in flight training awards and packages since the campaign began in spring 2023. Plans for the fourth themed scholarship opportunity for the campaign are already underway. Since inception, I Hart Flying has awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarship funding and industry packages, to 39 scholars on record for the young nonprofit.
Scholarships surely do change lives and I Hart Flying is proud to have helped women soar since 2017. With her goal to become an airline pilot and currently working as a CFII out of Denton, TX, Kayla Wildes has plans to complete her multi-engine instructor rating. “Scholarships change careers, lives, and trajectories. I Hart Flying’s Scholarship just did all three for me! I am so thrilled and almost in disbelief of the opportunity this scholarship has presented. I can’t wait to use this new rating to keep training top notch pilots and changing their lives as well. This scholarship will touch many people, not just me,” expressed Wildes.
This themed scholarship opportunity, “Spring into Action,” is funded through the support of veteran partners Immaculate Flight, Sheltair, a grant from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation and new partners, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). IHFF’s community of donors and partners are loyal and new partners engage with the organization each scholarship cycle as a result of the organization’s success and meeting quality scholarship recipients at various industry shows.
Ginger Kelly, a student pilot in Memphis, TN working toward her private pilot and instrument ratings with the award is learning fast how strong this aviation community rallies behind her. “I am beyond grateful to have received the I Hart Flying scholarship! It will help me continue in my flight training and reach my career goals in aviation. I am also so excited to have such an amazing community supporting me now,” expressed Kelly as her sights are set on becoming either a cargo, freight or airline pilot.
Each opportunity is coupled with youth outreach events and speaking engagements to create a more hands-on approach to encouraging our youth to explore and experience STEM and aviation careers as well. Hart Scholars are given unique opportunities to attend these outreach events and shows where they have the chance to address youth, audiences and even network with industry professionals.
Located in Denver, CO working on her CFI rating toward the goal of becoming an airline pilot, Shalynn Swails shared, “I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this incredible opportunity from I Hart Flying. I will be putting the financial support towards my CFI training and will be able to start instructing students next month! It’s crazy to think that I started my own flight training only a year ago, and now I have the chance to give back to my very own students with the same amazing support and encouragement I have received in the last year through the help of this scholarship.”
These four Hart Scholars will have the support of financial awards, pilot training supplies and other flight equipment by a variety of I Hart Flying’s loyal in-kind partners. Some of these partners include King Schools, Bose Aviation, FLYING Magazine, AEG Fuels, FlyteCo Tower, Go Rentals, Boeing Business Jets, AOPA, Titan Aviation Fuels, Airbus Corporate Jets, Jet Support Services, Inc., Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems, Dassault Falcon Jet, and Veryon to name a few.
Each scholarship launch grows I Hart Flying’s Hart Nation, a community of valued partners, donors, collaborators, scholars, board members and the diverse scholarship committee.
I Hart Flying will have a large presence in Denver Col. September 7, 2024, for their second annual Hart Nation youth outreach event hosted by partner, Sheltair BJC (Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport), paired with a benefit gala hosted by partner, FlyteCo Tower. Interested exhibitors and partners can reach out to Lyndse Costabile, corporate and donor relations, for more information at: lyndse@ihartflying.org.
