San Diego AeroSpace Museum

19 Deserving San Diego region students selected to receive over $35,000.00 in scholarships from the San Diego Air & Space Museum

(June 4, 2007) - The San Diego Air & Space Museum's mission statement is to inspire young people to tackle the challenges of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic disciplines' and to make-a-difference in the world through an innovative, adventurous spirit. To further this goal, the Museum has selected 19 students in the San Diego region to receive over $35,000 in scholarships.

The scholarships are given annually on behalf of three Museum scholarship funds: Bill Gibbs, R.A. "Ken" Rearwin and the Convair Alumni Association. To-date, 161 talented San Diego students have been awarded $428,500.00. Next year the Museum is adding an additional scholarship specifically for advanced engineering education, its International Aerospace Hall of Fame Engineering Scholarship.

"I'm very proud there are many students studying math and science," said Donna Lilly, president of the Endowment Board at the Museum. "The U.S. really needs to keep up with the global market for math and science in the field of technology."

"Every year we interview so many outstanding students," said Charles Pinney, member of the Endowment Board. "Their accomplishments are unbelievable."

Jim Kidrick, Museum President commented, "These scholarship programs exemplify our intent to aid deserving students wanting to advance their education - our entire mission is really all about inspiring our next greatest generations to excel in their lives."

For the 2006-2007 academic year, the Endowment Board at the Museum received 65 applications from students all over San Diego. Of the 65 outstanding students, 19 were chosen:

Gibbs Scholars:

  • Bailey Ward, Mission Hills High School
  • Weston Thompson, Valhalla High School
  • Andrew Swingle, Mission Hills High School
  • Elliott Spore, High Tech High
  • Matthew Thompson, San Diego High
  • Sonam Dabholkar, Westview High School

Rearwin Scholars:

  • Sandy Nguyen, San Pasqual High School
  • Ryan Robinson, Santa Fe Christian School
  • Lena Salaita, Escondido High School

Convair Alumni Scholars:

  • Alisa Wolf, San Dieguito Academy
  • Catherine Lorentz, Poway High School
  • Joseph Coleman, Poway High School
  • Eileen Russell, Cathedral Catholic High School
  • Alison Aragon, Steele Canyon High School
  • Julie Hull, Patrick Henry High School
  • Eric Payne, Steele Canyon High School
  • Brandon Burbach, Mt. Carmel High School
  • Catherine Ploneda, Mar Vista High School
  • Tony Nguyen, Preuss School UCSD

Each of the scholars submitted an extensive application listing academic achievement, extra curricular and/or community service activities, teacher recommendations, and an essay. They then were interviewed by a panel of judges to determine the final winners.

The scholarship award ceremony will be held at 6:30-7:30 at the Museum's Education Center and all are welcome to attend with RSVP.