Laurel Oaks Aviation Maintenance student Tabetha Morgan’s high-flying dreams just came closer to reality. The senior from East Clinton was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from Women in Aviation — the only high school student in the country to receive a Women in Aviation scholarship.
It was a long trip — literally.
Tabetha was sent to Dallas to be interviewed by two women from American Airlines and three from the Women in Aviation organization. A few weeks later she got the call to fly to Orlando for the Women in Education national conference.
“It’s a great relief to receive the scholarship and help cover nearly half my college tuition,” she said. “I could not be more thankful for the opportunities I was given.”
She is currently finishing her high school requirements and will earn her FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) General/Airframe License.
From there, she’ll enroll at Southern State Community College to become an FAA-licensed Powerplant Technician. After working as an AMT, says Tabetha, she will continue with business management and aeronautic engineering courses.
Because the organization Women in Aviation serves those in a traditionally male-dominated career field, it’s only natural that the scholarship interviewers would ask Tabetha about being a leader and a role model.
“Last year I proved I could handle myself, and the guys have been very respectful,” said Tabetha about her classmates. “Now I’m crew chief; they don’t really have a choice. We are a ‘hangar family.’ It’s a great work environment.”
Tabetha Morgan was honored before 4,500 aviation professionals at the International Women in Aviation Conference in Orlando in March.