CCSD Students Win Community Memorial Aviation Scholarships

Six Cherokee County School District students have earned community aviation scholarships dedicated to the memory of two longtime pilots.

The Don Stevens and Bob Burns Memorial Scholarships, awarded by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, honor students who attend a Cherokee County School District high school and are pursuing a private pilot’s license.  

A Delta Airlines retired captain, the late Mr. Stevens was the longtime chairman of the Cherokee County Airport Authority.  The late Mr. Burns spent 50 years in aviation as a Delta and corporate pilot and an instructor.  To honor their legacies, their families created the scholarships with the assistance of CCEF to help students with the expenses of training and obtaining their licenses.  The committee selected two students to receive a $10,000 scholarship and four students to receive a $500 scholarship.  

Congratulations to the selected students, thank you to the families and CCEF for your sponsorship, and thank you to our School Board for its continued support of community partnerships!

Creekview HS Class of 2025 graduate Zoie Thorne and Etowah HS rising junior Leah Schmid each will receive the $10,000 Don Stevens Memorial Aviation Scholarships.  Zoie, a multi-sport athlete and 4-Her who plans to work as a pilot, will pursue her flight training at ATP Flight School.  Leah, an Etowah HS JROTC cadet who hopes to serve as an U.S. Air Force pilot, will pursue her flight training at Phoenix Air Flight School.

Cherokee HS rising junior William “Max” Tyler, Creekview HS 2025 graduate Lawson Looper, River Ridge HS rising senior Taylor Free and Woodstock HS rising senior Gabriel Nicolas each will receive the $500 Private Pilot Ground School Scholarships.

The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis will recognize the winners at the next School Board meeting.
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