2024 Phoebe Omlie Scholarship Recipients Announced

2024 Phoebe Omlie Scholarship Recipients Announced During Awards Ceremony in Chicago

The Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition showcases the talent required of aviation maintenance technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft in safe, airworthy condition. To further support our future mechanics, AMC is proud to provide scholarships in recognition of Phoebe Omlie, the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927. Phoebe helped show the world that women were just as capable as men in repairing and maintaining aircraft.

The award recipients are as follows:

• Micah Chin is a student at the Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics and was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by the Aerospace Maintenance Council as well as the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant. He is a cadet in the Maryland Civic Air Patrol, which he attributes to his decision to pursue a career in the field of aircraft maintenance.
• Edgardo Sanchez Casillas is a student at the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by American Airlines. He has worked in a local Puerto Rico airline as an airframe mechanic, as well as an HVAC technician and in construction, all of which led him to pursue a career in aviation maintenance.
• Julio Sanchez Casillas is a student at the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by American Airlines. He is finishing his final year and after studying and working a part-time job as a licensed airframe mechanic, he believes he has truly found his calling.
• Michelle Michaelson is a student at Tarrant County College where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She was awarded the Phoebe Omilie scholarship, presented by the TechForce Foundation. She is passionate about the aviation industry and set her sights on the avionics field and hopes to someday be involved in research, development, diagnosing, and testing of aviation systems.
• Cadence Bomgardner is a student at Thrust Institute of Maintenance. She was awarded the Phoebe Omilie scholarship, presented by PHI Group, Inc. Her references stated that at the young age of 19, Cadence's aviation achievements rival those of seasoned professionals.
• Madison Glassett is a student at Tarrant County College. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by PHI Group, Inc. She graduated in May of 2022 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas (UT). During college, she didn’t stop at classroom learning, and her passion for aviation led her to start flight training, where she fell in love, and committed to a career in the skies.
• Rudo Mathende is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Moving to the United States has given her the chance to pursue graduation and earn her license as an aviation mechanic.
• Caseem Stephenson is a student at Vaughn College where he is pursuing a career as an aviation maintenance technician. He was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Casseem is also a key member of The National Society of Leadership and Success Chapter (NSLS) at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology and has completed a rigorous leadership training program through the organization.
• Leeanne Agonos is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. She was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. According to her references, she has a passion for aviation maintenance and has become an instant standout student.
• Mackenzie Ek is a student at MIAT College of Technology and was awarded the Phoebe Omlie Scholarship, presented by Aviation Workforce Solutions. Her lifelong fascination with aviation, nurtured by her stepfather’s role as an airline mechanic at United, has guided her career aspirations to join the aviation industry.
• Joseph Pardo is a student at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. His references stated that his commitment to service and community engagement is truly remarkable.
• Jonathan Hutchinson is a student at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. He aims to champion safety standards by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance within the industry.
• Kenny Taylor is a student at Helena College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. During his tenure at Jet Aviation Bozeman he discovered a passion for the aviation industry.
• Colin Crader is a student at Greenville Technical College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant provided by AMXAA. He is enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science degree program in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and his career goals include earning FAA aircraft and powerplant ratings and building his own aircraft repair business.
• Ryder Kutgen is a student at Lake Area Technical College. He was awarded the Jim and Alice Rice FAA Test Fees Grant. His goal is to combine his passion for aviation and maintenance, ultimately becoming an agricultural pilot and working on his own aircraft.

The scholarship is supported through the generous contributions of AMC sponsors. To donate to the 2025 program, please email team@aerospacecompetition.com. Applications for next year's award will open this fall. For more information, please visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship.