During the past 26 years, a total of $759,000 in scholarships has been given by the Museum to 268 deserving students.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum inspires young people to tackle the challenges of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic disciplines, and to make a difference in tomorrow’s world through an innovative, adventurous spirit. To further this goal, the Museum recently selected 14 graduating seniors from San Diego County high schools to receive a total of $48,000 in scholarships.These scholarships are given annually on behalf of five Museum administered scholarship endowment funds: San Diego Air & Space Museum, Convair Alumni Association, Bill Gibbs, R.A. Rearwin and Jennings Kelly Scarborough funds. To-date, 268 talented San Diego County high school seniors have been awarded a total of $759,000 in scholarships.

"Every year we consider many outstanding applicants," said Katrina Pescador, Chairman of the Museum’s Scholarship Committee, "and each year, I continue to be impressed with these future leaders, and their many accomplishments." Jim Kidrick, Museum CEO and President commented, "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."

Scholarships awarded:

San Diego Air & Space Museum Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Endowment Scholar: $4,000 David Mendoza, Montgomery High School, who will attend Stanford University, Stanford, California

Convair Alumni Association Endowment Scholars: Six at $4,000 = $24,000Virginia Boldt, The Bishop’s School, who will attend Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Micaela Krumweide, Escondido High School, who will attend University of  La Verne, La Verne, California

Kaitlyn Marazoni, La Costa Canyon High School, who will attend San Diego State University, San Diego, California

Kaylin Ryan, Valley Center High School, who will attend Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee

Rose Schweizer, Mountain Valley Academy, who will attend Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan

Noel Skocko, Valhalla High School, who will attend Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California

Bill Gibbs Endowment Scholars: Four at $3,000 = $12,000Robert Groome, Westview High School, who will attend Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

Allison Hesse, Canyon Crest Academy, who will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona

Eric Maas, Torrey Pines High School, who will attend University of California, Los Angeles, California

Sankaran Ramanarayanan, Mira Mesa High School, who will attend University of California, Los Angeles, California

R. A. Rearwin Endowment Scholars: 

Two at $3,000 = $6,000 Luke Steenstra, Calvin Christian High School, who will attend University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 

Alexander Tucker, Westview High School, who will attend Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

Jennings Kelly Scarborough Scholar: $2,000Stephen A. Clark, La Jolla Country Day School, who will attend Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

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 then were interviewed by a panel of judges to determine final winners.The 26th scholarship award ceremony was held Thursday, June 4, at the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Rearwin Gallery.

San Diego Air & Space Museum Endowment: Students are selected who have expressed a desire to pursue a degree in the sciences, technology, engineering or mathematics, and who have demonstrated an interest in exploring the outer bounds of what we can be. Initiated in 2014, two scholarships have been awarded, totaling $6,500.

Convair Alumni Association Endowment: In 1997, the Convair Alumni Association provided Convair Recreation Association funds and funds from 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. Since that time, 124 scholars have enjoyed the support of a Convair Alumni Association Scholarship, totaling $417,600.

Bill Gibbs Endowment: Bill Gibbs, a San Diego businessman, the founder of Montgomery Field, established the Bill Gibbs Scholarship Fund with a $10,000 gift to the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 1988. Students are selected for the Bill Gibbs Scholarship who are graduating from San Diego County high school, and who express and demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in aviation or in an aerospace related field. Since 1989, $240,500 has been awarded to 105 Bill Gibbs scholars.

R.A. Rearwin Endowment: In 2000, 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. Since then, there have been 35 R.A. Rearwin scholars, who have received a total of $89,900.

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. The Jennings Kelly Scarborough Scholarship has been established by Mary Scarborough in honor of her late husband’s love of flight, as both a military and civilian pilot. Kelly Scarborough served on the Museum’s Scholarship Committee. Two Scarborough scholars have received a total of $4,500.