SAN ANGELO, Texas — San Angelo ISD and Central High School announced that Central High School senior Cadet Noah Vega has earned a scholarship to attend the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy over the summer at the University of West Florida.
The Flight Academy is an eight-week aviation training program which is intended to inspire and encourage high school students to pursue a career in aviation.
Upon completion of the program, Cadet Vega was awarded a Private Pilot's Certification and college credit hours.
“Cadet Vega is the first cadet selected from Central to attend the Flight Academy. This was the fourth year of the program and Cadet Vega accomplished what most can only dream of,” said SAISD JROTC Instructor Major Christopher Carney. “The selection process for the program is very rigorous and competitive, not to mention the work Cadet Vega had to put in to complete the requirements to finish in just eight weeks. It’s exciting to see Cadet Vega on campus at Central High School in an Air Force Flight Suit… job well done!”
According to an SAISD press release, the Flight Academy Scholarship Program is a collaborative effort between the aerospace industry and the United State Air Force to address the national pilot shortage and promote diversity within the industry.
The Flight Academy only accepts 120 JROTC cadets annually and Cadet Vega was one of nine students selected to attend the program at the University of West Florida. To be considered, cadets must be in good standing in their unit, take an Air Force aviation aptitude test, have recommendations from their JROTC instructors, and an interest in a career in aviation.
Cadet Vega is a member of the Central High School JROTC program instructed by Major Christopher Carney and Chief Master Sergeant Kathleen Prince - all United States Air Force veterans.
.
