Reno Air Racing Association Awards 13 Local Youth With Flight Training Scholarships

PRESS RELEASE

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is thrilled to announce the 2024 recipient class for its Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) program. The 13 recipients are from Reno and the surrounding area and will be awarded up to $10,000 towards earning flight training certificates. Now in its third year, the program is flourishing and has emerged as a key element in supporting RARA’s vision to “Establish the Reno Air Racing Association as the pinnacle of inspiration, education and exhilaration for people of all ages”. RARA’s commitment to support local youth and ignite a passion for aviation has grown substantially since 2015 when it introduced its STEM Discovery Zone at the National Championship Air Races, and now with the expanding FTS program. To learn more about the Flight Training Scholarship program, events and more, visit www.airrace.org.

“Our organization’s mission has always been to deliver amazing, entertaining events that honor our military and support STEM and aviation education in our community,” said Fred Telling, RARA CEO. “These scholarships make good on the promise to foster the love of aviation and build its workforce through the outstanding and talented recipients we have selected. We’re thankful for the generous contributions of the Ray Foundation, the Si Robin Foundation, the Ellsworth Hovey Getchel Foundation and many other donors that are helping turn dreams of flight into reality.”

To be considered for a scholarship, recipients had to be between the ages of 16 and 20, maintained a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, successfully completed the FAA Private Pilot written exam, and be a resident of Reno or its surrounding areas. Each recipient will be awarded up to $10,000 to help them complete their training. This year’s winners include:

• Gavin Ashby (Chris Rushing Memorial Scholarship)
• Kiera Grange (Si Robin Scholarship)
• Avery Redmon (Getchel Scholarship)
• Maksymillian Barger
• Tristan Bautista
• Antonio Berto
• Alex Florez
• Jared Garrido
• Evan Grey
• John Hamilton
• Benjamin Weaver
• Zachary Wells
• Zeus Wesley

“We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received that has allowed us to award and now even expand our offering of these scholarships,” said Greg Gibson, Reno Air Racing Association scholarship coordinator. “It’s especially meaningful that the Si Robin Foundation would name one of their scholarships in honor of our dear friend and NCAR champion, Chris Rushing. All our recipients have a bright future ahead of them and we are honored to be a part of supporting their journey in aviation.”

Gibson noted that scholarships named in honor are new this year and are welcome additions that further the depth and meaning of the program.

Since the initial launch of the scholarship program in 2022, the program has continued to grow. Over $300,000 in funding has been awarded to help students complete the necessary training to obtain their private pilot’s license. While the air races prepare for a move to New Mexico in 2025, RARA plans to continue the scholarship program, uninterrupted and is actively procuring funding for its next round of recipients in 2025. For those interested in donating, naming a scholarship, or learning more about RARA’s education efforts, visit the Flight Training Scholarship page here, or contact Greg Gibson at ggibson@airrace.org.

About the National Championship Air Races

The National Championship Air Races are held every September by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an international institution and destination for aviation enthusiasts with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft along with notable military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event has generated as much as $150 million annually for the local economy. After being based in Reno, NV for more than 60 years, the event will debut in its new location, Roswell, NM in 2025. For more information on the National Championship Air Races, visit AirRace.org.