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Congratulations, Class of 2023

Bios

Sam Dabbs

Sam Dabbs is a rising senior from Grafton High School in Yorktown, Virginia. Sam is active in the Grafton Tennis Team, and Civil Air Patrol. Sam is interested in a career as a pilot in the commercial airline industry. Sam has logged more than 20 hours of flight training before beginning flight training with the scholarship program. His near-term goal is to become a Certified Flight instructor. He intends to attend college after high school, accumulating flight time toward becoming an Airline pilot.

Chris Foster

Christopher Foster is a rising senior from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia currently enrolled in Summit Christian Academy. Chris is active in the Civil Air Patrol where he was honored with the Wright Brothers Award in April 2020. He was elected Junior Class President and is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and is a member of the High School cross country team. His dream career is to be a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.

Mikayla Gangadeen

Mikayla Gangadeen is a rising senior from Yorktown, Virginia currently enrolled in Tabb High School. Mikayla is active in Tabb Track and Field, and Civil Air Patrol. She has taken flight lessons and flown as part of CAP. Her parents are both stationed at Langley Air Force Base. Her goal is to attend college at either the Air Force Academy or the Naval Academy pursing a degree in engineering and a career as a pilot.

Will Gryzen

Will Gryzen is a rising senior from Yorktown Virginia enrolled in Grafton High School. Will is active in Civil Air Patrol, is a member of his school’s marching band and captain of the wrestling team. Will's flying experience includes completion of glider academy where he was able to solo an L-23 Super Blanik sail plane. Will plans to attend college and pursue a career as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force.

Braden Hudgins

Braden Hudgins is a rising senior from Gloucester, Virginia currently enrolled in Gloucester High School and the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. Braden is involved in sports and is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. Braden’s flight experience has included multiple lessons at the Williamsburg Flight Center and he has received a scholarship with Pathways for additional flight experience. Braden desires to attend college and pursue an aviation career as a commercial pilot.

Jaxson Kirsch

Jaxson Kirsch is a rising senior from Newport News, Virginia enrolled in Menchville High School. Jaxson is involved in Air Force Junior ROTC where he was awarded the prestigious Military Order of the Purple Heard award for leadership. He is also captain of the MHS Cross Country team and a member of the National Honor Society and Kitty Hawk Air Society. Jaxson plans to apply for and attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and pursue a career as an Air Force pilot.

Erica Larochelle

Erica Larochelle is a rising senior from Providence Forge, Virginia. As part of the Early College Academy, she is duel enrolled at New Kent High School and Rappahannock Community College. Erica is involved in All District and All Virginia Choir, Spirit Club, the High School Cheerleading team and has an internship at the New Kent-Charles City Chronicle. Erica intends to apply to the Naval Academy and Naval ROTC for college and become a Naval Aviator.

Lena Lewis

Lena Lewis is a rising senior from Williamsburg, Virginia enrolled at Warhill High School. She is a member of the high school tennis team, and National Honor Society. She is already preparing for the Air Force Academy admission practicing for the fitness test. She intends to pursue entrance into the academy and become an Air Force Pilot.

Gavin Monteith

Gavin Monteith is a rising senior from Newport News, Virginia enrolled in Menchville High School. He participates in AFJROTC, Model Rocketry Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Kitty Hawk Air Society and the Track and Field and Cross-Country Teams as well as coaching the Colony “Cudas” Swim and Warwick Little League Baseball teams. Gavin plans to apply to the Air Force and Coast Guard Academies for college and pursue a career as a military and commercial pilot.

Ethan Smallridge

Ethan Smallridge is a rising senior from Newport News, Virginia enrolled in Denbigh High School. Ethan is a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and is part of the Denbigh Aviation Academy. He is on 4 varsity teams, is a member of the National Honor Society Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), participates in the Academic Bowl team and is the director and anchor for the daily live newscast for Denbigh HS and Secretary and Treasurer of his Class. He designed a storage locker that was incorporated on the International Space Station. Ethan desires to pursue admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy and become an Air Force Pilot.

Aubrey Walton

Aubrey Walton is a rising senior at Poquoson High School and lives in Poquoson, Virginia. Aubrey is involved in the Aviation Academy at Denbigh HS, and Aviation STEM Program, and is a member of the varsity Sailing and Travel Volleyball Teams. Aubrey plans to attend college, serve her country by seeking a commission in the U.S. Navy and becoming a Naval Aviator.

Sam Dabbs
Chris Foster
Mikayla Gangadeen
Will Gryzen
Braden Hudgins
Jaxson Kirsch
Erica Larochelle
Lena Lewis
Gavin Monteith
Ethan Smallridge
Aubrey Walton
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