Submitted by Safe San Juans
The COVE Youth Center announced a new ground school scholarship for local students interested in exploring career opportunities as a pilot. The new scholarship is funded by the generous support of local pilots and businesses to keep the passion of flying alive in local youth. Six full scholarships are available for students 16-18 years old. Classes will meet weekly in Friday Harbor for eight weeks starting the last week of January 2018.
“There is currently a huge pilot shortage so we want to provide the opportunity locally and create a community of students interested in flying,” said Kathleen Bartholomew, one of the main sponsors behind the project. “After the course, students will be ready to apply for a student pilot license and the top performer will be given a free introductory flight lesson.”
Ground school is a fixed curriculum of classroom instruction on the basic theory of flight, federal aircraft rules, navigation, weather, and the details and procedures of aircraft operation. It teaches the safety student pilots need to know before flying and do not have time to learn in the air.
“We are excited to have this opportunity for students,” said Isaac Berg, who was hired as manager of the COVE Youth Center in August. “One of our main goals with the COVE is bridging the gap between student and adult generations to provide academic and professional resources to strengthen the community.”
About The COVE
The COVE is a program of Safe San Juans, (formerly DVSAS the community based nonprofit for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault services and prevention). Safe San Juans has taken the lead on youth center development in Friday Harbor with a pop-up model as a first step toward securing resources for a full-time youth center. In addition to academic and professional opportunities, the COVE will provide a safe hangout and study space for high school students at local businesses after hours.
COVE stands for Community, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment. To learn more and view the scholarship application, visit www.safesj.org.
The next COVE event is a bowling night at Paradise Lanes on Thursday, Dec. 21 from 6-8 p.m. High school students are invited to learn more about the COVE and how to be a part of it in 2018. The cost is free and dinner is provided.
Scholarship Donors:
Westwind Aviation, Monica Van Appel-Percich and Jacoba Porter from Windermere, Aeronautical Services, Kathleen Bartholomew and John Nance, Mark and Dawn Alger, and Robert W. Brunkow.
Additional ground school scholarships are possible if other donors are interested. All contributions to the project are tax deductible.
