Photo: Directors of the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation presenting a scholarship award to NJROTC Cadet Ensign Johnathon Mason are (from left) Tim Phelps, David Dover, Gerald Gaige, Cadet Mason, Kyle McAlister, Bill Nazarenko, Steve Johnson and Chief Jason Williams. Photo by Dani Pugsley.
A member of the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) of Mountain Home High School (MHHS) has been awarded a scholarship from the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation (LEAF) of Baxter County.
Cadet Ensign Johnathon Mason’s $1,500 scholarship will be used to attend the National Flight Academy (NFA) in Pensacola, Florida.
Mason is the son of U.S. Army veterans Lee and Kelly Mason.
At MHHS, he commands the Drone Team and is a member of the Academic and Marksmanship teams. Mason has also obtained a commercial drone pilot license.
The MHHS NJROTC unit is led by Chief Jason Williams, the naval science instructor, who retired from the U.S. Navy after more than 21 years.
Williams explains Mason’s experience at the NFA this summer will include living aboard the virtual aircraft carrier, AMBITION. Each deck of the virtual ship is designed to simulate a modern aircraft carrier. The main deck houses the galley, mess deck, administrative spaces and the aircraft hangar bays. The first deck is dedicated to academic spaces, including the operations and intelligence centers, while the second and third decks house sleeping quarters, team building compartments and activity rooms.
LEAF is made up of area pilots who work to gather funds to provide resources to educate, encourage and award financial assistance to people interested in aviation who might otherwise be excluded.
In addition to student scholarships, more than 30 learner pilots have trained with LEAF instructors and aircraft. LEAF members also support the Civil Air Patrol Wing of Baxter County and the aviation clubs of the Mountain Home school district.
To join this effort and make a tax deductible donation to LEAF send an email to: leadingedgeaviation@gmail.com.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI