Two Tivy High School cadets receive Air Force Junior ROTC Flight Academy scholorships

Tivy High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets Lee McDonald and Jonathon Halpin have received scholarships to attend an accredited aviation university participating in a private pilot training program this summer.

McDonald and Halpin, both seniors at Tivy, are two of 230 Air Force Junior ROTC cadets around the world to receive the scholarship from Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. The scholarship covers transportation, room and board, academics and flight hours required to potentially earn a private pilot license.

According to AFJROTC Commander Col. Bobby Woods, “selection is very competitive, only 230 out of 1,340 of the best cadets were selected. Lee and Jonathon have been working for several years to prepare for this opportunity. I am confident they have bright aviation futures in front of them.”

The Flight Academy Scholarship Program is an Air Force-level initiative in collaboration with the commercial aviation industry to address the national civilian and military pilot shortage. The Academy allows aspiring young aviators to get their Private Pilot’s Certification, at no cost, during an eight-week summer course at partner universities.

The mission of Air Force Junior ROTC is to “develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community, while instilling values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and sense of accomplishment.”