Special night at EAA

It was a special night for Brian’s Foundation at yesterday’s EAA AirVenture. We awarded the 9th annual Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor at EAA’s First Wing Dinner. Medal of Honor recipient and great man, Tom Hudner was in from Maryland to present the scholarship to Lucas Benish.

2012 Tom Hudner Scholarship of Honor recipient, Lucas Benis with Tom Hudner

Ever since he can remember, Luke has been fascinated with flight.Whether it was attending the annual EAA AirVenture or just looking up as any aircraft flew overhead. It’s an understatement, to say he’s excited and proudly looking forward to a future in the aviation industry and would like to study a branch of engineering. After college he would like to join the U.S. Military or pursue a civilian engineering career and work as an aerospace engineer for an agency like NASA or a company like Boeing.

Last years recipient, Margaret Viola was also able to join!

A community coming together to honor a local hero...

"I don’t think we could possibly honor Danny enough or his family for their service to our country and the hard work and sacrifice they have all made to defend our freedom."-Steve Miller of Texas Roadhouse in Sheridan, Colorado.

The Grand Opening of Texas Roadhouse in Sheridan, Colorado was dedicated in Honor of Navy SEAL Danny Dietz.  

David Carter created this beautiful mural which hangs on the wall of the restaurant.

They went above and beyond.  Not only does this beautiful mural of Danny and his fellow men hang in the restaurant, but the funds raised from their opening night went to the Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor endowment. The night raised more than they had envisioned...$7227.81.   $1,250 will now be awarded annually--forever--in Danny’s name!

Danny's mom, Cindy is pictured here Jake Hart and Steve Miller of Texas Roadhouse

The Danny Dietz Scholarship of Honor was established 6 years ago at Heritage High School.  Danny was a 1999 graduate there and joined the Navy three months later.  While in high school, he played football his senior year and was active in weight training and swimming.  Danny had two weeks left of service in Afghanistan when he was killed on June 28, 2005.  

We welcome Al Timmerman to our Board of Advisors!

Al Timmerman is a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico VA.  He retired after 34 years of Law Enforcement with the Green Bay Police Department and the Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety. 

He also served as Interim Public Safety Director for the Village of Ashwaubenon, managing police, fire and EMS services. Al is currently a partner and CEO of Jet Air Group, Austin Straubel International Airport.

Al’s passion is flying his helicopter. He has flown 238 young eagles for EAA programs.  His three grandchildren, ages 7,4 and 1 also keep him very busy.

We are thrilled to have Al as our newest member of the Brian LaViolette Foundation Board of Advisors.  He and Jet Air have been great supporters and share the passion for our mission. Jet Air is hosting an event, The Golden Age of Aviation, on October 19^th and Brian’s Foundation is one of the beneficiary. Click here for more details: Golden Age of Aviation event. We can't thank them enough!

Wow.

Last week, we received an update from last years' Brian LaViolette Scholarship recipient, Nikitha Murali. 

She told us about her first year of college and all we can say is WOW.  

After our selection interview with her, we knew she was special and would go on to do great things, but everything she has accomplished in one year is astonishing.  

Nikitha with the LaViolette's after the 2011 Scholarship presentation 

Nikitha is getting ready for her second year at the University of Chicago. She's currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Human Development, which means she is studying neurology, anthropology, biology, and psychology.
  

She has a minor in biology with plans to ultimately go to medical school. 

Prior to attending college, she had accomplished a lot, including organizing a medical health camp in a small village in India during her years at Ashwaubenon High School.  While that was quite the undertaking, it pales in comparison to what she has done her first year in college.

To read more about Nikitha's first year of college, please click here Niktha's first year of college..  You are sure to be 'wowed'.

  

20 years ago...

We awarded our first scholarship at DePere High School in Wisconsin...

...and this year marked our 500th scholarship. By the end of 2012, we will have awarded 534 scholarships to date!  We couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement.  Thank you.