The third year Clay Lacy Pilot Scholarship Fund helps Orange Coast College Aviation Students

Now it's third year, Clay Lacy Pilot Scholarship Fund helps students earn private, instrument and commercial pilot license, and pursue careers in aviation. Attention, two newest recipients of the Clay Lacy Pilot Scholarship at Orange Coast College (OCC) in Costa Mesa, Calif are announced - Katie Kirby and Joseph White!

They are pursuing their private pilot license through the Orange Coast College Aviation Science program. The scholarship recognizes the dedication and hard work of four OCC aviation science students each year. Funds are used to lower the costs of flight training, allowing students to earn their private, instrument or commercial pilot license.

Clay Lacy Aviation established the annual scholarship in 2017 to partner locally with Orange County public education institutions that train and nurture future aviators. To date, more than $32,000 has been distributed through the scholarship program, helping support six students and the OCC Flight Team, which competes in events conducted by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

“When companies like Clay Lacy are involved, it helps us hone our program so our students are better prepared to enter and succeed in the workforce,” said Daniel Shrader, Dean of the School of Technology at Orange Coast College. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Clay Lacy as we educate the next generation of aviation professionals here in Orange County.”

Scholarship winner Katie Kirby makes presentations to other aviation science students and is co-captain of the OCC Flight Team. She will soon take her private pilot check ride, the comprehensive examination to earn her private pilot license. Joseph White is working through the cross-country flight phase of his training ahead of his private pilot check ride and participates as a member of the OCC Flight Team. He works with fellow students and is in the top five percent of his class. Among previous scholarship recipients, Andrea Hernandez has earned her private pilot license and joined the flight team, and Taylor Wilson, Lex Lizotte, and Soraya Eftekhari are also preparing for their private pilot check rides.