2019 Alpha Eta Rho Scholarship Recipients
Sophia Ottoson
Sophia is a sophomore at the Southern Illinois University. She holds a 3.84 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List every semester. In addition to academic excellence, Sophia is an extremely active member of Alpha Eta Rho including being the First Officer of her pledge class in 2018 and currently serving as chapter Vice-President. She is also very active in several other organizations including Women in Aviation, The 99’s, and the Aviation Management Society. With this scholarship she hopes to continue progressing quickly through her private pilot training and onward in her aviation career.
Rick Fazollo
Rick is currently attending Texas State Technical School and holds an impressive 4.0 GPA. Rick recently graduated the A&P program with honors and was awarded the Aerospace Superior Award of Excellence in 2018, the first to be awarded this honor in TSTS history. Prior to his attendance at TSTS, Rick served in the United States Marine Corps, performing and supervising approximately 40,000 hours as an aircraft mechanic and plane captain during which time he received several medals and commendations. In addition to being a very active member of his Alpha Eta Rho chapter, Rick is a husband and father to two children, and works as an assistant mechanic for his university. With this scholarship, Rick will continue his academic excellence and pursue his Federal Communications Commission. He will use the money to go towards that license as well as purchasing the tools required for his Avionics degree.
Clara Mendez
Clara is a junior at Texas State Technical School pursuing an Avionics degree and her A&P. During her time at TSTS, Clara has maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA and will soon serve as her Alpha Eta Rho chapter’s President. Before her attendance at TSTS, Clara worked at a unique job as senior ground crew at Van Wagner Airships directing ground operations and the safe takeoff and landing of blimps. It was in this job she realized her passion for aviation and aircraft maintenance. In addition to academic excellence, Clara also serves as a Student Government Association senator, VP of Service for Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and as a federal student worker in TSTS’s avionics department gaining hands-on experience in her field. With this scholarship, Clara will continue her path of excellence in her career field.
Olivia Tomlinson
Olivia is a sophomore at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Aviation Management Technology with an Aircraft Dispatch concentration and minor in General Business. During her time at EMU, Olivia has passed the FAA’s Air Traffic Skills Assessment aptitude test and recently completed an internship at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. In addition to being the Vice-President of her school’s Alpha Eta Rho chapter, Olivia is a member of Women in Aviation, Phi Theta Kappa honors society, NBAA, Professional Women Controllers Inc., and more. With this scholarship, Olivia hopes to achieve her dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Andrew Treulich
Andrew is a senior at Farmingdale State College and is pursuing a bachelor’s in Professional Pilot with a minor in Aviation Administration. Andrew holds a 3.93 GPA and has been on the President’s List every semester. In addition to academic excellence, Andrew serves as his Alpha Eta Rho chapter’s Vice-President, the Flying Rams President, and works as a line service technician for Republic Jet Center and Heritage Flight Academy. Andrew currently holds his Commercial Pilot certificate with an Instrument Rating and hopes to soon be a Certified Flight Instructor. His goal is to be a commercial airline pilot. With this scholarship, Andrew hopes to continue his work toward his goal.
Noah Yarborough
Noah is a Senior at Louisiana Tech University. He holds a 3.58 GPA pursuing a bachelor’s in Aviation Management with a minor in Business Administration. Noah has been on both the President’s Honor List in 2017 & 2019, and the Dean’s List in 2017, 2018, & 2019. In addition to academic excellence, Noah recently served as an intern for NBAA this past summer and currently serves as Secretary of both Louisiana Tech’s Alpha Eta Rho chapter as well as Louisiana Tech’s Eta Mu Sigma aviation academic honors society. With this scholarship, Noah hopes to continue toward graduation and the beginning of his master’s degree in Business Administration.