The third annual Friends of Albert Whitted Airport (FOAWA) Scholarship Event soared to new heights on April 5, 2025 — and what a day it was!

Held at beautiful Albert Whitted Airport, the event was nothing short of electric. Families, friends, flight instructors, community leaders, and aviation enthusiasts filled the venue with contagious excitement as 29 impressive scholarship recipients — ages 16 to 24 — were recognized for their passion, dedication, and dreams of flight. The energy was palpable, and the pride on the faces of both recipients and their families was something to behold.

This year, FOAWA awarded a total of 29 scholarships:

✈️ 4 Starter Scholarships of $1,000
✈️ 14 Intermediate Scholarships of $5,000
✈️ 11 Advanced Scholarships of $10,000

“These scholarships are more than just funding — they’re a vote of confidence in the potential of every one of these young people,” said FOAWA President Walt Driggers. “We’re watching some of our recurring recipients grow right before our eyes — from first flights to private pilot licenses, and beyond. The generosity of numerous donors is providing opportunities for career pathways for these deserving recipients, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Attendees heard a keynote address from the extraordinary Captain Barrington Irving, a true aviation legend. In 2007, Captain Irving became the youngest person and first Black man to fly solo around the world. His powerful story of grit, courage, and vision lit a fire in the crowd and left every attendee inspired to dream bigger and reach higher.

Adding to the excitement, the City of St. Petersburg honored FOAWA with an official proclamation, naming April 5, 2005, as Friends of Albert Whitted Airport Scholarship Day. This honor recognizes the organization’s impact on the local community and the aviation industry at large. It was a proud and humbling moment that affirmed just how far this grassroots effort has come.

From the heartfelt speeches to the laughter between new friends, the 2025 Scholarship Event was a celebration of what’s possible when a community believes in its youth and invests in their dreams. As aircraft buzzed overhead and the sun set over the bay, one thing was crystal clear: the future of aviation is in very good hands.

Stay tuned — these stories are just beginning to take flight. 

Watch for photos of our deserving recipients next week!