12 Deserving San Diego Students Selected to Receive a Total of $38,500 in Scholarships from San Diego Air & Space Museum & Convair Alumni Association

25th Year of Awarding Scholarships?During the past 25 years, a total of $710,500 has been given to deserving students

San Diego, CA - June 10, 2014 - The San Diego Air & Space Museum's mission statement is to inspire young people to tackle the challenges of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic disciplines and to make a difference in the world through an innovative, adventurous spirit. To further this goal, the Museum & Convair Alumni Association has selected 12 students in the San Diego region to receive a total of $38,500 in scholarships.

The scholarships are given annually on behalf of five Museum administered scholarship funds: San Diego Air & Space Museum, Bill Gibbs, Jennings Kelly Scarborough, R.A. Rearwin and the Convair Alumni Association. To-date, 255 talented San Diego County high school graduating seniors have been awarded a total of $710,500.

"I'm very proud there are many students studying math and science," said Donna Lilly, Chairman of the endowment board at the Museum. "The U.S. really needs to keep up with the global market for math, science and technology graduates."

"Every year we interview so many outstanding students," said Charles Pinney, member of the Endowment Board. "Their accomplishments are unbelievable." Jim Kidrick, Museum President commented, "These scholarship programs exemplify our intent to aid deserving students wanting to advance their education - our entire mission is really all about inspiring our next greatest generations to excel in their lives."

Bill Gibbs Scholar: $2,500 Jacob Todd, Scripps Ranch High School will be studying Astrophysics at UC Los Angeles

Scarborough Scholar: $2,000 Sierra ter Veer, University City High School will be studying Aerospace Engineering at San Diego State University

San Diego Air & Space Museum Engineering Scholar: $2,500 Kyle West, Mt. Carmel High School in Poway will be studying Aerospace Engineering at Embry Riddle in Arizona

Rearwin Scholars: $2,500 X 3 scholars = $7,500 Isaac Myres, Granite Hills High School in Grossmont will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University in Provo Emily Prigmore, Escondido Charter High School will be studying Electrical Engineering at Brigham Young University in Provo Grace Young, La Jolla High School will be studying Electrical Engineering at Stanford University

Convair Alumni Association Scholars: $4,000 X 6 scholars = $24,000 Dylan Williams, Grossmont Union High School will be studying Computer Science at Brigham Young University in Provo Benjamin Wade, Mt. Carmel High School in Poway will be studying Computer Engineering at Cal Tech in Pasadena Connor Whalen, Saint Augustine High School in San Diego will be studying Biological Sciences at UC Santa Cruz Catherine Hartmeier, Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego will be studying Computer Sciences at UC Irvine Jason Hunyar, Granite Hills High School in Grossmont will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta Morgan Rabe, Clairemont High School will be studying at Webster University in St. Louis

Sierra ter Veer, Jennings Kelly Scarborough scholar

Kyle West, San Diego Air & Space Museum Engineering scholar

Emily Prigmore, Rearwin scholar, Grace Young, Rearwin scholar

Catherine Hartmeier, CAA scholar, Connor Whalen, CAA scholar, Dylan Williams, CAA scholar

Jacob Todd, Bill Gibbs scholar

Each of the scholars submitted an extensive application listing academic achievement, extracurricular and/or community service activities, teacher recommendations, and an essay. They then were interviewed by a panel of judges to determine the final winners.

The 25th scholarship award ceremony was held Wednesday, June 4, at the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Rearwin Gallery.

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, $226,000 has been awarded to 101 Bill Gibbs scholars.

Convair Alumni Association Endowment: In 1997, the Convair Alumni Association provided funds from the Convair Recreation Association, and from General Dynamics Corporation, to provide scholarships for students who are direct descendants if former employees of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation or the Convair Division of General Dynamics Corporation, and who worked in the San Diego area. During the past 16 years, 112 scholars have enjoyed the support of a Convair Alumni Association Scholarship, totaling $369,600.

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 30 R.A. Rearwin scholars, who have received a total of $76,400.

Jennings Kelly Scarborough Endowment: This year, a new scholarship was awarded to a graduating San Diego County high school senior who has professed and demonstrated 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 Scholarship Board and delighted in interviewing scholarship candidates.

For more information please call (619) 234-8291 or visit www.sandiegoairandspace.org.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California's official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and it was the first aero-themed Museum to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Now on display, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” a special exhibition that examines the wacky, weird and odd world of Robert Ripley. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. The Museum and gift store are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.