After spending the summer sailing the Aegean Sea, winning a state soccer championship and working on additional ratings – along with mentorships, research, exploring job opportunities and catching up on their reading – the latest roster of CJP scholars is excited to jump back into school as they look toward graduation, and the future!
Lylith Turner
Hello all! I hope you are all staying cool in this warm weather! Living in Florida has really made me appreciate the cooler months of the year. Currently I am still working on my multi-engine add-on. This rating is taking much longer than expected due to unforeseen maintenance and scheduling issues. But like everything, I have learned to be patient with my ratings.
In the meantime, I have enjoyed picking up on a few of my old hobbies. Since May I have read about 17 books! During the year my schedule is often packed so having time to read was a luxury. Now that my schedule is more open, I am able to do the things that I enjoy more often.
Moving forward, I am set to finish my summer classes within the next two weeks. Taking summer classes has allowed me to graduate an entire year early! In the long run this will save me much money in tuition and allow me to fly full time sooner. This summer I took two classes to fulfil my humanities requirement. While these classes do not involve aviation, they have been one of my favorites. I have also begun building my resume for the yearly career expo at Embry Riddle. Since I am graduating in May, I would like to be hired by either a flight school as a CFI or elsewhere that will hire low time pilots.
I hope all of you are doing well and look forward to meeting you at the annual conference!
Amelia Vaith
I am thrilled to update you on my endeavors throughout the past few months. I have not slowed down for a moment this summer between bouncing from my Study Abroad trip in Greece to completing my first internship in Seattle, WA.
I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and have developed both personally and professionally from these experiences. I want to express my gratitude to CJP and all of its members for enabling these opportunities which have directly impacted my exposure to aviation and growth as an individual.
Throughout the four weeks that I spent in Greece I was engulfed in new cultures, put outside of my comfort zone, and given the opportunity to adapt to an entirely different environment. The first week of our trip was in Thessaloniki, a coastal city in northern Greece, which consisted of incredible food, beautiful architecture, the kindest people, and the most beautiful mountain scenery. We as a group hiked the summit of Mount Olympus to an ancient monastery. We enjoyed the sprinkle of mist throughout the entire hike and even drank out of the glacier water running down the mountain.
During the second week we spent our time in Athens working with Aegean airlines to gain exposure and gain an understanding of international operations. We had the chance to hear the CEO of Aegean speak and later was able to ask him questions about his successes and struggles. The workshop consisted of a full airport tour as well as insight on each individual operation at the airport, ranging from the baggage system to ATC operations.
The last two weeks of our study abroad trip was spent living on a 50-foot sailboat and sailing the Aegean Sea. We stopped at a total of five islands including Milos, Serifos, Sifnos, Kythnos, and Polyaigos. This was the absolute best part of the trip, and I would recommend anyone go to these islands if ever possible. The water was crystal clear and as blue as a chlorine pool. We had the opportunity to moor offshore twice, which included a day full of swimming and snorkeling and watching a full blood moon rise over the horizon. Ultimately, my trip to Greece was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Less than a week after I travelled home to Washington State, I started my internship with Mente, a private aviation company. Throughout the eight weeks that I spent at Mente as their first intern in history, I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about how the business aviation industry operates and even had the opportunity to hop on a few flights. Because I was the first intern Mente had hired, I took it upon myself to develop an intern program and intern indoc process for future candidates to use for success in their role. I gained experience in each individual department which included flight dispatch, maintenance, business operations, administrative, and the crew.
It was extremely beneficial to acquire an understanding of the dynamic and overall duties of each role, while getting hands-on opportunities on each team. Overall, my time at Mente further fueled my passion to join business aviation even further, and I am coming back to Embry-Riddle with a full heart and mind.
My most sincere thanks go out to all who are supporting me in everything I do. My growth and ambitions are a testament to those who have believed in me and continue to support me through the challenges of college and life. Thank you again and again to all the individuals at CJP who are enabling me to pursue my career and believe in my success. I hope to see you in person soon in October!
Anthony Velez
The last two months have been an incredible journey, marked by personal growth, achievements, and the pursuit of excellence, thanks to the generous support of the Citation Jet Pilots Association Scholarship. This scholarship has not only fueled my academic and aviation aspirations but has also empowered me to excel in athletics and leadership roles. Through a whirlwind of experiences, I’ve discovered the true essence of determination, perseverance, and the rewards they bring.
In the realm of sports, the Royal Palms soccer team has been a shining example of dedication and teamwork. Over these two months, we achieved both the state championship and conference victory, showcasing our determination to conquer challenges. My individual contribution during the playoffs was marked by my commitment to excellence, propelling the team to new heights. I scored in both the state championship and the conference final.
Mentoring new pilots entering Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been an honor and a rewarding endeavor. Sharing insights into available resources and strategies for success in class, I’ve had the privilege of empowering these aspiring aviators to approach their studies with confidence and vigor. Guiding the next generation is a responsibility I hold dear, fostering a culture of excellence within our aviation community.
Stepping into a leadership role within the soccer team brought forth new challenges and responsibilities. From organizing the locker room to managing equipment, this role has expanded my skills beyond the field. By fostering unity and effective communication, I’ve contributed to our team’s cohesion and success, reinforcing the power of leadership and teamwork.
Preseason training has been an intense journey of physical and mental fortitude. Training twice a day, with multiple fitness tests each week, has pushed me to my limits. The satisfaction of achieving the top score in the first fitness test has not only underscored my dedication to the team’s performance but also reinforced the value of discipline and determination.
Amidst these accomplishments, the challenges of flight training have continued to refine my skills. As I approach the culmination of the Commercial course, the demands have heightened my reaction times and multitasking abilities. The rigorous training regimen in aviation has a remarkable dual impact, enhancing both my technical aptitude and personal attributes.
A moment of immense pride was being recognized for my commitment to aviation safety. Bob Joyce, the Director of Safety in the flight department, acknowledged my vigilance in identifying a minor discrepancy on a Cessna aircraft before a flight. This experience underscores the importance of meticulousness in aviation operations, a responsibility I take to heart. Another academic award I am proud to have achieved is the Dean’s List, a testament to my dedication and hard work in my academic pursuits.
Juggling numerous responsibilities has been both a privilege and a challenge. The pressure of managing academics, athletics, leadership, and flight training can be mentally draining. To navigate this, I’ve sought guidance from a counselor to enhance my time management skills, ensuring that each commitment receives the attention it deserves.
As I reflect on these transformative two months, I am filled with gratitude for the Citation Jet Pilots Association Scholarship, which has been the cornerstone of my journey. The opportunities it has provided, from athletic achievements to mentorship, leadership, and aviation excellence, have enriched every facet of my life. With newfound skills, insights, and determination, I am poised to embrace the future with unwavering confidence and purpose. I want to express how grateful I am for this scholarship and would like to say thank you again for this opportunity.
We also have this update from Lucy Waite, who received the CJP Foundation Scholarship awarded through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Thank you and the Citation Jet Pilot Safety Foundation so much for your support of my education by sponsoring my Astronaut Scholarship for this upcoming school year!
Through the support that this award provides, I will be able to spend more time with my research, be more involved in my clubs, and spend more time exploring my passions. Between all its amazing clubs and engineering opportunities, studying at Virginia Tech has been a dream come true, and your support has helped make my involvement in those opportunities more easily accessible.
I am a senior this year majoring in Aerospace Engineering and minoring in Mathematics. I grew up in Herndon, VA, but my family is from Yamaguchi, Japan and Oahu, Hawaii. I am graduating this upcoming Spring 2024 semester and have been accepted and will attend graduate school the following Fall in the Virginia Tech Accelerated Masters Program. For research, I am currently characterizing properties of 3D printed Inconel at high temperatures, which is similar to what I plan to do for my Master’s thesis. Outside of my classes and research, I am the President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at Virginia Tech and the Secretary for the Nikkei Student Union (NSU), a Japanese cultural club. In addition to my academic and club work, I enjoy doing gymnastics with the VT Club gymnastics team, playing in the Engineer’s Volleyball league, hiking in the local mountains with friends, and baking bread on the weekends.
The support this scholarship provides gives me more time to dedicate to these extracurriculars, allowing me the opportunity to put my all into each of my passions. This time helps me to contribute to new science within the aerospace field through my research and live out my dreams of supporting NASA missions. For SWE and NSU, I will be able to help organize more events to better support women and minority groups within engineering. Additionally, this time allows me to better care for myself and support those around me in the greater community beyond.
Again, thank you for your support of my education via this scholarship. It truly means the world to me.