When Emily Anderson moved from a small New England town to St. Petersburg, Florida, she never imagined that the skies above her new home would change the course of her life. Arriving at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, she was eager to find a passion and a sense of belonging. She didn’t expect that moment to arrive in the middle of freshman orientation, when, almost as if by fate, she caught sight of a small airplane soaring above the conference room window. Something inside her clicked.
That was the moment she knew aviation would be a part of her future.
From that day forward, she found herself drawn to Bayboro Harbor every morning, watching the planes from Albert Whitted Airport take off and land. The sky became her comfort, a connection to home, a reminder that no matter where she was, she was always looking at the same vast, endless expanse.
But while her love for aviation took flight, there was one thing keeping her grounded — finances.
A Scholarship That Opened the Skies
As a full-time college student balancing tuition costs, a mortgage, and a sibling entering college, Emily knew that affording flight training was out of reach. Yet, the planes from Albert Whitted seemed to follow her everywhere—on her way to class, during runs on the pier, even while she was relaxing on the beach. Aviation was calling to her, but she needed a way to answer.
Then, she heard about the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport (FOAWA) Flight Scholarship in an email from USF St. Pete. It was a chance—her chance—to move from spectator to student pilot.
“I knew I was going to apply,” Emily recalls. “This scholarship eliminated the financial barrier between me and aviation, and to me, that means the world.”
Since receiving her first FOAWA scholarship, Emily has spent every week in the pilot’s seat, turning a once-distant dream into a tangible reality. And with each takeoff, she isn’t just proving something to herself—she’s proving to other young women that aviation is possible for them, too.
Overcoming Challenges: A Lesson in Perseverance
The road to becoming a pilot hasn’t been without obstacles. The toughest challenge? Preparing for her first solo flight.
For over a year, Emily fought to obtain the necessary medical clearance to fly solo, enduring a long process of doctor’s appointments and paperwork. It was frustrating, and discouraging at times—but it never made her question whether she was meant to fly. Instead, it taught her one of the most valuable lessons of her journey: perseverance and self-advocacy.
Now, as she gets back to doing what she loves most—flying—she carries that lesson with her. “It was a long road,” she says, “but I’m excited that I can finally get back to what I love most, being in the airplane.”
Her flight instructor, Misa, has played a major role in her growth, helping her refine her skills and gain confidence in the cockpit. One of her most memorable training moments? The day a coyote ran onto the runway just as she was about to land—an unexpected challenge that required her to execute a go-around in real-time. It was a reminder that in aviation, as in life, adaptability is key.
More Than a Dream—A Movement
For Emily, aviation is about personal growth rather than career ambition. She’s not just chasing a title—she’s proving something to herself and inspiring other young women along the way.
“My ultimate goal is to solo, to prove to myself and younger girls like me, that if you believe in yourself and work hard enough, you can achieve even the most unrealistic of goals,” she says.
Her journey is a testament to the power of opportunity. Before the FOAWA scholarship, she had no flight experience and no financial support for her dream. Today, she has completed multiple scholarships, logged countless hours in the air, and gained a deeper belief in her own potential.
The Heart of a Community
Emily credits much of her journey to Albert Whitted Airport and the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport. More than just a flight school, the airport became a place that nurtured her curiosity, welcomed her into a community, and made aviation feel accessible.
“I think I am a prime example of what this airport does for our community,” she says. “I moved here three years ago with no intention of flight training. But in St. Pete, aviation finds you. You can see the planes from almost anywhere in the city, and I think it’s only a matter of time before you can’t help but be curious.”
For Emily, Albert Whitted Airport is more than an airport—it’s a home, a launchpad, and a place where dreams take flight. The FOAWA didn’t just make aviation financially possible for her; they made sure she knew that aviation is for everyone.
A Future Without Limits
When asked to sum up her aviation journey in one word, Emily struggles to pick just one. There isn’t a single word that can capture what this experience has meant to her—the growth, the challenges, the community, and the sheer joy of flight.
But if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s this:
The sky is not the limit.
