Photo caption (from left to right): Rick Wyman, President of MVSB, Linda Gray, Senior Philanthropy Advisor of the NH Charitable Foundation, Alex Richardson of Laconia, John Blandford of Gilford, Lauren Gallant of Gilford, and Dan Caron Education Director of WinnAero’s ACE Academies. Richardson, Blandford and Gallant are all graduates of the ACE Academy Program. Each of the three students expressed that attending ACE helped then decide to become pilots as a career choice.
The Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation granted $3,000 to the Aviation and Aerospace Educational Center at Winnipesaukee (WinnAero) of Gilford, NH, for its 2018 Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies. The contribution will support a scholarship for field trips and aerospace education for local-area students in high school, middle school and elementary school from Belmont, Franklin, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith and Tilton. This is one of 35 awards presented by the Fund to non-profit organizations this year.
“This grant will allow WinnAero to foster enthusiasm among local students in STEM-related fields through aviation and aerospace education programs and experiences,” said Rick Wyman, President of Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB). “Students and participants are able to receive hands-on learning, and we’re thrilled to help encourage interest and accessibility of this local program.”
“The Federal Aviation Administration predicts that by 2030, the aviation industry will need upwards of 460,000 new commercial pilots and 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians,” said Scott Davis, President of WinnAero. “Thanks to MVSB and this grant, more of our youth are able to participate and pursue a field that is both challenging and exciting for them. The need for students pursuing aviation related career fields in advanced manufacturing, particularly within NH, is also well-documented.”
Participants of the ACE Academies travel to such destinations as the Manchester Airport’s Air Traffic Control, NH-Air National Guard and aerospace manufacturing sites. They also experience orientation flights on fixed wing planes and receive hands-on learning with Civil Air Patrol materials. The ACE Academies occur over a two-week period during the month of July.
WinnAero, the Aviation and Aerospace Education Center at Winnipesaukee, was founded in 2009 to promote STEM through aviation and aerospace educational programs and experiences. Located and operated out of the Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, NH, WinnAero fosters enthusiasm for flight, aeronautics and aerospace for people of all ages. For more information, visit winnaero.org.
The Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund was established in 1997 under the leadership of John Starrett, then President and CEO of the Bank. Since then, 351 grants totaling $1,410,867 have been awarded to a wide range of environmental, social, educational and historic projects throughout the Greater Lakes Region, Plymouth and NH Seacoast areas. Over the years, the Fund has supported literacy programs, after-school programs, environmental monitoring and education, restoration of historic structures, organizations that provide support for individuals and families in challenging circumstances and equipment that helps save lives. The deadline for consideration for the next grant cycle is October 15, 2018. Applications are available on the Bank’s website and at all MVSB offices.
