South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) has awarded five scholarships to South Carolinians pursuing careers in the aviation industry. The five winners, Emily Apostolico, Emily Nasto, Peter O’Connor, Solomon Vang, and Hiram Varner, each received a $1,000 award.
About the Scholarship Winners:
Emily Apostolico, of Charleston, is pursuing a private pilot license. A high school senior at Charleston County School of the Arts in North Charleston, she plans to attend college and major in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. “Becoming a pilot means I am one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming an astronaut,” Apostolico said.
Emily Nasto, of Murrells Inlet, is enrolled in the professional pilot degree program at Charleston Southern University in North Charleston. She intends to become a commercial pilot. “Ideally, I would like to fly cargo internationally,” said Nasto.
Peter O’Connor, of Aiken, is a student at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C. He studies aviation science with a concentration in flight education. “For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to fly,” O’Connor said.
Solomon Vang, of Boiling Springs, is studying Aviation Maintenance Technology at Greenville Technical College. Vang aspires to work for a commercial airline. “My goal is to finish my associates degree and contribute to the workforce while earning a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Management,” said Vang.
Hiram Varner, of Gray Court, will attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. He plans to study aerospace engineering. “My long-term career goal is to work at an aerospace company designing, building and testing rockets for missions beyond Earth,” said Varner.
SCAA’s scholarship program is open to South Carolina residents who attend, or will attend, an educational institution or flight school inside or outside the state. The application period for the next program cycle will open in Spring 2023.
SCAA actively promotes and encourages aviation and airport development to meet air transportation needs and assist the state in achieving economic development goals. Its membership is comprised of S.C. airports, aviation industry partners and aviators across the state. For more information, please visit scaaonline.com.
