The anchor program, the one that addresses the very first goal, is the CADET Youth Flight Scholarship for would-be-pilots 13-22. Preferably, these will NOT be SSA members nor will they have any substantial experience with soaring. In essence, it is an excuse for Clubs and FBOs to contact local youth and invite them out to the glider field to see what we do. The incentive--to both the kids and the Club/FBO--is a $600 flight credit. The winners in 1995 were Sailplane Enterprises (CA), to teach Shauna Hodgins (15) how to fly, and Southern Soaring (NC), to do the same for Nathan Maloy (18). Shauna and Nathan, both CAP cadets, visited a glider field to obtain an application (the ONLY place they are supplied), made convincing cases for their desire to fly, wrote an essay about soaring, and stated their financial need. SSA and two FBOs made their dream come true. In 1995, over one hundred kids wrote SSA for info on this program, two dozen sent in an essay about soaring, and half of those joined us as SSA Youth members. Funding for the CADET program was initiated by Hall-of-Famer Dr. Frank Gross, who offers to match any gifts up to a total of $20,000 made by December 1996. If you can help SSA reach that total, the program will become a permanently funded "welcome" from SSA to the general public.
This newest SSA award is geared to Youth Committee goals 2 and 3, for post- solo soaring by SSA members aged 14-22. Preferably chasing badges, going to wave camps, entering contests, as opposed to earning FAA ratings. This is a "worker" award for a youngster who has made essential contributions to a Club or FBO and who may be too financially strapped to buy tows just for fun. The 1995 winner was Elizabeth Schwenkler of the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation, where she was recently the President of their Junior Organization. Liz used the money to enter the Region 3 contest in the HHSC 1-34, where she won one of the days in Sports Class. Jane & Elizabeth Bultman set up this award to honor their late husband and father, Richard, and to remind us of the many ground-crew friends we rely on every time we fly. To apply, sponsoring groups need to send nominating evidence and letters of recommendation to SSA, being sure to document the Club or FBO service of the nominee and their plans to use the funds for soaring. Soaring experience or achievement are not criteria, nor are academics.
SSA's most prestigious youth award, meeting goal number 4, this has been for almost 30 years the capstone to teenage years spent in pursuit of soaring. It honors the memory of Paul Kolstad, who had earned the FAI Gold Badge with two diamonds by age 17. To be eligible for this grant for academic studies, pilots must be SSA members aged 14-20 and have earned the FAI Silver Badge or the SSA Century I youth award. The Century youth badges (for 100, 200, and 300 km flights) are also funded under this program and may be applied for on FAI badge forms. The 1995 winners were Elizabeth Schwenkler of HHSC, and Mark Dunning of the Soaring Club of Houston. They each submitted an application form available from the SSA office, an impressive summary of cross-country flights and education plans, and complete documentation of their service and character from club members. Thanks to the Colorado Front-Range soaring clubs, especially Black Forest Soaring Society and Colorado Soaring Association, for continuing their outstanding support of this award. An incredible $1,000 went into the trust in 1995 just by hat-passing in Colorado.
Your gifts are welcome at any time. All these funds--and the Junior Team Fund, too--will put your tax-deductible contributions to work with youth right away. Just be sure to note the name of the fund on your letter or check sent to SSA [Kolstad, Bultman, Cadet, or Junior Team Fund]. Please contact the Youth Committee if you would like to help set up more grant programs [Campbelj@mscd.edu. (303)860-0485]. We are especially interested in the middle ground between CADET and KOLSTAD, to give younger SSA members a boost in chasing badges, records, contests, and other advanced delights of the sport.
| Dr. Günther Eichhorn | Springer 233 Spring Street New York, NY 10013 USA, email me |