Scholarships
Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter is dedicated to providing scholarships to our members in order to help them achieve the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about. These scholarships are awarded based on availability. Not a member? Join Us.
We encourage you to check Women in Aviation International website for scholarships that are available every year.
Join us in making a difference! Support women in Upstate NY pursuing aviation by donating to the Soaring Capital Eagles scholarship fund.
We accept Zelle at soaringcapitalwai@gmail.com Email us to request other forms of transfer.
We highly encourage scholarship applicants to join Women in Aviation if you are not a member yet. Visit the link below. 18 or younger? You can join Women in Aviation International for free! Be sure to select our Chapter from the drop-down box.https://www.wai.org/membership-information
Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter Scholarship Recipients 2024
Maura Byrnes
Congratulations to Maura Byrnes on winning a $1,000 scholarship! We are proud of what you have already accomplished, and we are honored to support your aviation journey!
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Maura is currently working on her private pilot license with an ultimate goal on becoming an airline pilot. Here is what Maura wrote about herself in her scholarship application:
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From Spreadsheets to Skyways: Maura’s Flight to Freedom
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Maura is my name, numbers were my game,
Or so I thought, till spreadsheets came.
All day long, I crunched and keyed,
But soon I knew, it wasn’t my speed.
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In 2020, I graduated from FAU,
With a degree in Economics, finance dreams in view.
I was hired and so, off I went,
But the passion faded, my energy spent.
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The work was fine, the people kind,
But something greater stirred my mind.
I sought challenge, leadership, and more,
But found myself longing for a different shore.
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A friend of mine, a pilot so free,
Her skyward journey inspired me.
As I toiled with numbers, trapped in the haze,
I dreamt of soaring through open skies and rays.
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Flying, I realized, was my bright star,
A future beyond where spreadsheets are.
So I left the job, my heart set alight,
To chase the clouds and take to flight.
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Now, committed to aviation’s call,
I’m ready to rise and give it my all.
Mary Sonnen
Congratulations to Mary Sonnen on winning a $500 scholarship! We are proud of your achievements, and we are honored to support your aviation journey!
Mary is a high school student, working on her private pilot license at Goodrich Aviation with the goal on becoming a professional pilot and flight instructor.
Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter Scholarship Recipients 2023
Olivia Tate
Olivia is Commercial Glider Pilot with a goal of becoming a professional pilot and fly people to their destinations. She is also dedicated to give back to aviation by teaching young pilots to fly gliders at her home soaring club. "When I first started on my aviation path I was introduced to soaring. I was very fortunate to have a well-known and wonderful glider program for juniors near me, Harris Hill Soaring Corporation. They provided an inexpensive, well-supported training club for young aviators. As I progress in my flight training, I plan to obtain a CFI-G so I can instruct the juniors at Harris Hill."
Kira Davenport
Kira Davenport is an 18 year old female Private Pilot and recent college graduate from Hudson Valley Community College. She is an aspiring glider pilot and is currently working toward her Instrument rating. Kira is very active in the aviation community as a member of various organizations as well as a Civil Air Patrol member and pilot. Kira's biggest goal for the future is to continue to inspire young people like her who want to see all of the great things they can accomplish when they challenge themselves.
About the Scholarship:
The Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter, with the support of the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and Finger Lakes, is offering scholarships to girls/women for their pursuit in aviation or aerospace.
The scholarship traces its roots back to 1973 when a group of local women pilots won selection of the Chemung County Airport as finish line for that year's Powder Puff Derby. The cross-country race for women aviators started in California with almost 100 participants who raced their way to the Elmira-area airport and then enjoyed Derby festivities, including an awards banquet, receptions, and sightseeing. As the host committee, the local women pilots had raised funds to cover various costs. The event ended with a surplus, which they invested to support women in aviation further.
Funds can be used towards any aviation or aerospace education, including flight training, dispatch, maintenance, etc.