Space Camp Scholarship Winners Announced - Twin County Young Eagles

Micrometrics, of Meadows of Dan, Virginia and the Twin County Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1426 of Hillsville, Virginia have chosen two “Young Eagles” to attend the Aviation Challenge in Huntsville, Ala. These two organizations will jointly sponsor the two deserving students to experience an incredible week of exposure to aviation. These two youngsters flew for the very first time at the Young Eagles Rally held last October at Micrometrics. Janet Tate coordinated this Rally and it was made possible by the generosity of the owner of Micrometrics.

Nick Johnson, 13, is in the seventh grade at Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School. His parents are Teresa and Randy Johnson. The family lives in Bassett, VA. Nick attended the Young Eagles Rally at Micrometrics last fall and took numerous pictures as he flew with pilot Jody Early. He included those pictures in a screen show on a DVD that he presented with his application. He has taken the aviation class at 4H for two years and at the CATCE camp. Nick has received several awards in school and is active in church and the community. Here is what he had to say about his flying at the Young Eagles Rally at Meadows of Dan: “I was blown away! I’ve never flown before. I thought that I was going to be scared, but I wasn’t. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and when the plane landed, I told my mom and dad that is what my job is going to be in my future.” He wants to design a special plane that will help people with medical problems so they can get to places they need to go to get help. He also wants to be able to fly that plane. His recommendations from his guidance counselor and teachers are impeccable and very impressive. Dr. Brad Nester, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, describes him as follows: “Nick breaks into a big ol’ grin each time you mention him going to Alabama.” He will attend the Mach II program at Aviation Challenge from June 10-15 and will be in the same squadron as Landon Nester, son of Dr. Brad Nester and Rhonda Nester of Hillsville. Landon is already a veteran as he has attended this camp for the past two years.

Amy Alderman, 15, is in the tenth grade at Patrick County High School. Her dad is Randy Alderman and they live in Vesta, VA. She has stated on her application that her goal is to be a helicopter pilot. She is certified in CPR, is active in sports, church and community events. Amy stated that her ride at the Young Eagles Rally last October at Micrometrics sparked her interest in flying. This was her very first airplane flight. She hopes to combine the careers of nursing and flying. She received impeccable and glowing recommendations from her guidance counselor and teachers. Amy was especially thrilled at the EAA Chapter 1426 Twin County Airport Rally on May 12 as she flew with EAA member Bill Bryant in his helicopter. She will attend the Mach III program at Aviation challenge from June 3 – 8 and is ready to go!

Both Nick and Amy are very deserving of this scholarship and could not otherwise accomplish this experience without assistance. Bountiful thanks go to Micrometrics for helping with this scholarship and to the persons in EAA Chapter 1426 who have worked so hard to make this dream for these children come true. EAA Chapter 1426 has been able to do this under the auspices of the Emily Gile Foundation that was set up in 2005 in honor of Emily for her service as a WWII WASP. All donations to this fund are greatly appreciated. The chairman of the Scholarship Committee is Dr. Brad Nester of Hillsville, who has done a tremendous job of coordinating all of the necessary transactions from beginning to end! Janet Tate of Laurel Fork has been the awesome coordinator of the Young Eagles Rallies and worked with Micrometrics to obtain assistance with these scholarships.

winners

Nick Johnson, Aviation Space Camp Scholarship Winner, Bob Steele, Twin County Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1426 President, Amy Alderman, Aviation Space Camp Scholarship Winner, and Dr. Brad Nester, Chairman of EAA Chapter 1426 Scholarship Committee.