The San Diego Air & Space Museum has selected 15 graduating seniors from San Diego County high schools to receive a total of $53,500 in scholarships from four museum administered scholarship endowment funds.
Bill Gibbs Endowment Scholars
- Megha Kannan, Rancho Bernardo High School
- Justin Pendarvis, Serra High School
- Kevin Salazar, Cathedral Catholic High School
- David “Max” Scott, University City High School
- Samantha Tinney, Mt. Carmel High School
- Jiayi “Gary” Wang, Rancho Bernardo High School
Convair Alumni Association Endowment Scholars
- Joshua Bay, Scripps Ranch High School
- Amanda Botts, Del Norte High Scholl
- Casey Hild, Mt. Carmel High School
- Samantha James, West Hills High School
- Elsa Paulsen, La Costa Canyon High School
- Aaron Ploneda, Gompers Preparatory Academy
R.A. Rearwin Endowment Scholars
- James Priest, Valley Center High School
- Dylan Spiker, Classical Academy, Escondido
Kelly Scarborough Scholar
- Owen Colombo, Christian High School
“Every year we consider many outstanding applicants,” said Katrina Pescador, Chair of the Museum’s Scholarship Committee, “and each year, we continue to be impressed with these future leaders and their many accomplishments.”
Each of the scholars submitted an extensive application, listing their academic achievements, their extracurricular and community service activities, several teacher recommendations, and an essay. They were then interviewed by a panel of judges to determine the final winners.
“These scholarship programs exemplify our intent to aid deserving students wanting to advance their education – our entire mission is all about inspiring our next greatest generations to excel in their lives.”
Bill Gibbs Endowment: The late Bill Gibbs, a San Diego businessman, and founder of Montgomery Field, established the Bill Gibbs Scholarship Fund with a $10,000 gift to the museum in 1988. Graduating high school seniors from a San Diego County high school who express and demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in aviation or in an aerospace-related field are eligible. Since 1989, $277,000 has been awarded to 115 Bill Gibbs scholars.
Convair Alumni Association Endowment: In 1997, the Convair Alumni Association provided Convair Recreation Association funds, as well as funds from the General Dynamics Corporation, to support scholarships for San Diego County high school graduating seniors who are direct descendants of former employees of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation, or the Convair, Astronautics or Space Systems Divisions of General Dynamics Corporation, and who worked in the San Diego area. The Fleet Foundation also provides annual funding in support of these scholarships. Since that time, 148 scholars have enjoyed the support of a Convair Alumni Association Scholarship, totaling $513,600.
R.A. Rearwin Endowment: In 2000, the late Kenneth Rearwin and his family established a scholarship in honor of his late father, R.A. Rearwin, a noted aircraft and engine manufacturer. Scholarships are awarded to San Diego County high school graduating seniors who demonstrate a strong career interest in the aerospace industry and who love to “tinker” with electronics and engines. In total, 41 R.A. Rearwin scholars have received 111,900.
Jennings Kelly Scarborough Endowment: In 2014, a new scholarship was awarded for a graduating San Diego County high school senior who professes and demonstrates a desire to pursue an aviation career as a pilot. The Jennings Kelly Scarborough Scholarship was established by Mary Scarborough in honor of her late husband’s love of flight, as both a military and civilian pilot. Kelly Scarborough also served on the Museum’s Scholarship Committee. Since then, six Scarborough scholars have received a total of $14,500.
To date, 331 talented San Diego County high school seniors have been awarded a total of $994,500 through these scholarships.