Alyssa, 2012 Girls With Wings Scholarship Winner

This is Alyssa Mae's cover letter. It is so indicative of her enthusiasm we've
decided to share it with you.

Are you looking for someone whose life's passion is aviation? Someone who
has her goals set and is dedicated to flying? Someone who puts two hundred
percent into everything she does and never stops trying? If so, then I may be
the person you’re looking for.

I have loved aircraft since I was little and have wanted to become a licensed
pilot since I was ten years old. My dreams would come true if I earned my pilot’
s license! I am trying inexplicably hard to achieve my goals. I do everything
from graphic design to house cleaning. I even set up a pilot’s license
campaign on a website. Cost is my biggest obstacle, definitely not my
motivation.

I will do everything I can do gain experience in aviation. Recently I’ve attended
Women Soar, Air Academy, and Space Camp on full scholarships. Currently, I
am a Cliff Robertson Intern at EAA Air Air Academy doing everything from
teaching kids about aviation to actually flying myself. As I walk around the
AirVenture Museum or see the planes taking off at Pioneer Airport, I want to
earn my pilot’s license more than anything. As time goes on, my passion for
flying only seems to get stronger and I love to share my passion with others.
As for my goals, I’m somewhat undecided. The only thing concrete right now
is my desire to earn my pilot’s license. Recently I’ve been considering
attending MIT to major in Aerospace Engineering and minor in Chinese. I’ve
also been thinking about flying corporate but I like doing aerobatic maneuvers
as well… I promise you though; it will be a career in aviation!

I would be extremely grateful if you considered me for the Dreams Take Flight
Scholarship. My future doesn’t exist without aviation in it. Thank you so much
for taking your time to read my letter and application, it really means a lot to
me that there are people in this world who are willing to help me achieve my
dreams. And one day, I hope I can help others too.

And this is Alyssa Mae's essay:

“My future could not exist without aviation in it.” When I say that, one
hundred percent of my heart can go into those words. Ever since I was little, I
can remember being mesmerized by airplanes and helicopters. I could still feel
the same joy and excitement that aviation brought to me over ten years ago
and my passion has only gotten stronger with time. Currently, my plan to get
my pilot’s license is what dominates most of my life at the moment. For
almost a year now, I have been highly devoted to seeking ways to earn it. In
April of 2012 I set up an internet campaign with a man I met on Career day at
my school. He is also a private pilot and helped me set up a program through
which I have earned almost $1000 towards my pilot’s license. Also, I am
earning some flight time at my job as an intern at EAA. (Which I will explain
further on.) But even with all of this, it’s less than half of what a pilot’s license
would be. I’m still working on not only my hours, but the money I need to get
the hours. Once I get my pilot’s license, I’m not exactly sure what my future
aspirations will be. Recently, my goals have shifted to attending MIT and
majoring in Aerospace Engineering or to flying corporately. Even though my
goals often change, I’m positive my future will be in the field of aviation.

I would absolutely love to become a role model to anyone who is passionate
about aviation. Though much volunteer work, I have developed a love of
helping others and my friends and family see me as the “optimistic one.” Each
day at my job I meet young kids who are exploring aviation, and I love to
share my passion with them. It would truly mean a lot to me if I could
convince others to follow their dreams in aviation or anything else for that
matter. I say this because role models have had a huge influence on me.
When I attended Women Soar, it was one of the most magical experiences of
my life. I met so many female pilots who once strived for the same goals as I
do, and to hear their success really made a difference in my life. They made
me become more determined and motivated that ever before. And, because
of that I would like to do the same for any children with a dream. I needed
people to stand behind me, to make me believe. And I am more than willing to
show others what they can achieve.

I’m a bit unsure where my desire, my ambition, or my motivation comes from.
But each day I wake up, I strive to make each day better and I strive to make
a difference. I have always been fascinated by the immense world of aviation,
and that in itself inspires me. When I achieve something, it just motivates me
to do more. But also, when I don’t achieve something I still keep trying. As
for my career path, I stay motivated because I dream of waking up and
having a job that I love each day. I would like a job in aviation, what I’m most
passionate about. And whether that turns out to be behind the controls as a
pilot, or behind the scenes as an engineer; I’m not sure you can go wrong
with any career in aviation. And now I’m very determined to become involved
with Girls With Wings! I have to admit, I didn’t know much about it until a
year ago but since then, I truly think it’s an incredible organization that I
would love to be a part of. Just the fact that it has so much to offer girls like
me makes me want to stay involved. Not just for my own benefit, but for the
possibility it gives me to help others as well. For example, take one of your
role models, Jill. She has helped me so much (probably more than she knows)
and I would love to do the same for another girl.

For the longest time, I’ve been trying to become as involved as I can possibly
be in aviation. It all started when I used to implore my parents to go to the
airport when I was a toddler. Then because of that I was introduced to EAA’s
Young Eagles Days. Now, I try to attend Women Soar in 2010. There I made
many connections and even eared the Ragged Edge Scholarship to Space
Camp (which I attended in 2011)! Also, my local EAA chapter then sponsored
me to attend EAA Air Academy in 2011. Through EAA I have become very
close with certain people have been great mentors to me. I’ve also
accomplished a significant part of the Sporty’s Online course given to me
through EAA/Sporty’s. On another note, I am a member of WAI and AOPA. I
attend their summits and events when they are close by. And currently, I’ve
earned myself a position at EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the whole summer
as a “Cliff Robertson Work Experience” Intern – which I am ecstatic about!
Not only do I get to work at the Air Academy, but I work at the AirVenture
Museum, AirVenture, and even get to fly! It is the perfect job for me at the
moment. And lastly, for my senior year, my high school has agreed to give
me credit for an internship at a local airport.

Even though, with all of the amazing experiences I have had so far in aviation;
it still does not help me scale my biggest obstacle: the cost of flight training.
Sure I may have gone to camps and had experiences – but the $100+ a
lesson still awaits me. My parents are really struggling at the moment
financially; we barely live paycheck to paycheck. Neither of them are at all
connected to the field of aviation, so it’s all up to me. I’m not the girl whose
dad is a pilot and is best friends with the CFI at the local airport. My parents
support me and my dreams; but I need that extra help. And I’m applying for
this scholarship because I genuinely need help – not because I don’t want to
try. I’m trying the hardest I can to earn money for a pilot’s license. In my free
time I spend countless hours on graphic design (videos, brochures, etc),
cleaning houses, or baby-sitting to earn some cash. I also made an online
campaign in which I do volunteer work in exchange for money I receive. I’m
not one to settle for things handed down to me, I’m willing to work and to
live up to whatever expectations I have to meet. The “Dreams Take Flight”
scholarship would enable me to receive a good chunk of flying lessons and
would give me a huge push toward achieving my license. It’s exactly what I
need to make my dreams come true. Right now, any amount can help me and
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to soar.

Thank you for taking your time to read my essay. My true love is aviation and
I really thank Girls With Wings for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my life
long goals.

Interested in applying? See also: Scholarship Info