Thomas Shamla (15), the son of John and Dr. Jenny Shamla of South Range, WI, has been named among 80 students and 20 teachers awarded $10,000 each in scholarships for aviation instructions. Results of the national search were announced on June 17, by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

The awards are part of a You Can Fly High School Flight Training Scholarship Program. The scholarships totaling $1 million recognize exceptional, aviation-minded students age 15 to 18 and teachers dedicated to advancing aviation education in their classrooms. The AOPA was endowed by The Ray Foundation whose founder, venture capitalist, philanthropist, and pilot James C. Ray (1923-2017), believed that aviation plays a formative role in the lives of its devotees and that flight training helps build “character and confidence,” providing participants with tools for success in other areas of their lives.

Thomas gives special thanks to his English teacher Adam Helbach for recommending him for this scholarship and to flight instructor Ryan Quigley who will be working with him at Richard I. Bong Airport, Superior, WI. Thomas aspires to be an airline pilot.

Thomas, a student at Northwest High School, South Range, WI, is listed on the High Honor Role, is involved in the school’s cross country run, track and ski teams, and he plays trombone in the school band.

Dr. Helmi Harrington, Thomas’ accordion instructor, calls him an “exceptionally excellent student who advances quickly and has an easily inspired musical manner.”