October 11, 2021, Pasadena, Calif.: A special surprise awaited the four winners of the “Fueling Flight with Harts of Might” themed scholarship opportunity led by I Hart Flying Foundation (IHFF), “fueled” and funded by Phillips 66® Aviation. When IHFF founder, Rachelle Spector, called each winner to share they were chosen for a scholarship, they were also extended an invitation to attend the 2021 NBAA-BACE (National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Expo) in Las Vegas, NV October 12-14. NBAA-BACE is the largest convention annually focused on business and corporate aviation, a place where many organizations, like IHFF and their partners, attend, conduct high level business transactions and experience some of the greatest networking all year.
I Hart Flying Foundation and Phillips 66 Aviation are proud to announce the 2021 winners of “Fueling Flight with Harts of Might!” They include Kaylee Smith of New Hampshire, Dayna Graves of Texas, Cheyenne Perry of Colorado, and Elise Thome of Florida.
“I am extremely proud of another successful scholarship opportunity and that we were able to assist four more women on their aviation journeys in various capacities,” added Rachelle Spector, founder of I Hart Flying Foundation. Our partnership with Phillips 66 Aviation was our biggest and most successful yet to help increase diversity and decrease the gender gap.”
Travel arrangements provided by veteran partner Immaculate Flight and equipped with show passes supported by AEG Fuels has propelled these amazing female pilots to one of the greatest shows for aviation. At NBAA-BACE, they will be introduced to many IHFF partners, meet with exhibitors on the Las Vegas Convention floor and walk the static display at Henderson Executive Airport with nearly 100 aircraft. Furthermore, attendance to the show will give them an opportunity to participate in NBAA YoPro events, socials, and networking, as well as special events with IHFF partners who support annual themed scholarships.
“Each themed opportunity we look for ways to elevate the engagement, support, reach and exposure for both our scholars and our partners,” shared Lyndse Costabile, corporate and donor relations for I Hart Flying Foundation. “Coming out of these unpreceded times where shows were cancelled, and face to face interaction was at times nonexistent affected many of us. Giving these scholars a chance to connect, in person, with the very companies who support us repeatedly while also taking advantage of high-level networking, is invaluable.”
Announcing these winners puts IHFF at awarding 21 total scholars over the last four years since the organization was founded. With this opportunity, IHFF will have awarded more than $120,000 in scholarship funding, training packages, pilot supplies and flight training equipment since 2017.
“On behalf of Phillips 66 Aviation, we want to congratulate Kaylee, Dayna, Cheyenne and Elise for their well-deserved achievements and as this year’s I Hart Flying Foundation scholarship winners. Their passion for aviation really shines through and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the future holds for these women,” said Lindsey Grant, Manager, Phillips 66 Aviation. “In our continued partnership with the I Hart Flying Foundation, we look forward to supporting more women of all ages achieve their aviation goals.”
More information on I Hart Flying can be found by visiting their website, ihartflying.org. Follow and engage with @ihartflying, @Phillips66Aviation and IHFF’s partners on Instagram and Facebook.
Fueling Flight with Harts of Might Scholarship Winner Announcement Video: https://youtu.be/Orf3ZJpqYy4
I Hart Flying “Fueling Flight” photos here: 2021 IHFF Photos