GAMA Announces Winners of Two Prestigious Aviation Scholarships

Washington, DC — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today announced the winners of two, $2,000 aviation scholarships for students excelling in their pursuit of aviation education and careers.

GAMA named Phoebe Ellen Barber of Lewis County High School in Hohenwald, Tennessee, as the winner of the Edward W. Stimpson “Aviation Excellence” Award. Barber will pursue a professional pilot degree while completing her flight training at Middle Tennessee State University. Barber is graduating at the top of her class with honors and distinction.

The Stimpson award — named for GAMA’s founder and president from 1970 to 1990 and 1992 to 1996 — is given to a graduating high school senior who has been accepted to and enrolled in an aviation degree core program at his or her chosen university. GAMA selects the winning student based on academic skills, extracurricular activities and an essay describing the student’s interest in aviation and his or her career goals.

In addition, GAMA awarded the Dr. Harold S. Wood Award for Excellence to Matthew Smith of Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Named for Wood, the founder and past executive director of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA), the award is given to a university student who is a flight team member at a NIFA member school based on the student’s academic abilities, extracurricular activities and an essay describing his or her plans to pursue an aviation career. Smith, a junior at WMU, is an instrument rated private pilot as well as a member of the SkyBroncos Precision Flight Team.

“We’re proud to cultivate talent in the next generation of aviators, and reward admirable traits such as hard work, dedication to studies and community, and passion for our industry,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “We look forward to seeing Phoebe and Matthew excel and be a part of the aviation industry in the future.”

For additional information, please contact Sarah McCann, GAMA Director of Communications, at +1 (202) 637-1375 or smccann@gama.aero.

GAMA is an international trade association representing over 100 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.