High School AFJROTC Cadets Win Aviation Scholarships

Four U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) cadets from Battle Ground High School received scholarships to earn private pilot licenses. Nathanial Davis, Jarrett Huntington, Brooke Kirby, and Wyatt Moody are among only 200 AFJROTC cadets nationwide selected to receive scholarships from the Flight Academy Scholarship Program, a collaborative initiative between the United States Air Force and the commercial aviation industry intended to inspire and encourage high school youth to pursue aviation careers.

The program is an intensive eight-week summer aviationtraining program conducted at 11 accredited universities nationwide. Uponsuccessful completion of the program, students are awarded a Private Pilot’sCertification and 12 college credits. Each scholarship is valued atapproximately $22,500 and covers transportation, room and board, academics andflight hours.

According to industry and military leadership, the UnitedStates is facing a looming pilot shortage crisis. Currently, Boeing predicts6,000 civilian pilots will need to be hired each year for the next 20 years tokeep up with demand, while military needs add at least another 2,000 pilots peryear.

Overall, nearly 3,000 cadets applied for the 200 available flight academy scholarships. The scholarships are merit-based, with selection being determined by cadets’ grades, extracurricular activities and their results from the Aviation Qualification Test – a challenging exam that includes timed sections covering aptitude in math, map charting, logic, and aviation concepts and instrumentation.

“I’m immensely proud of the accomplishments of these outstandingcadets,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Woodrow, Battle Ground High School’s senioraerospace science instructor. “BGHS is fortunate to have four students selectedto receive scholarships that will provide a first class opportunity to chartthe course for their futures in aviation.”

The cadets are now waiting to find out which university theywill be attending this summer.