Three Undergraduates Win Prestigious Aviation Scholarships

Florida Tech Aviation students made up half of this year’s 2025 Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society scholarship recipients. Six winners were chosen, with three hailing from Florida Tech: Ashlyn Barwick, Cassidy Reale and Noa Hollander.

The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society celebrates the legacy of Tony Jannus, who established Tampa Bay as the home of the first scheduled commercial airline after flying a paying passenger to Tampa by airboat – a flat-bottomed vessel powered by an aircraft engine and propeller. Every year, the society recognizes both a distinguished individual in the field and up to seven scholars pursuing careers in aviation in honor of Jannus.  

The Scholars Award Program provides financial support to eligible students pursuing careers in aviation who are enrolled in colleges or aviation trade schools in Florida. 

“It is such an honor and sense of pride for not one but three outstanding student scholars to be recognized when only six awards were presented,” said Rian Mehta, associate dean of the College of Aeronautics. “This highlights that industry professionals recognize the caliber of our amazing students, and we could not be prouder of them.”

Barwick is a sophomore studying aviation management with flight and air traffic control. She told the society that she fell in love with flying after taking a discovery flight – a short, introductory flight for people interested in earning a pilot’s license. She is currently pursuing her commercial pilot rating. Her goal is to become a commercial pilot at United Airlines and fly alongside her uncle.

Reale is a sophomore studying aviation management with flight. A member of the Florida Tech Flight Team, she earned her private pilot’s license with a scholarship from the Air Force Flight Academy. She is currently working on her instrument rating. She plans to work as a flight instructor at Florida Tech and eventually become a commercial airline pilot. She also told the society she’d like to open a flight school someday.

Noa Hollander is a sophomore studying aviation management. She previously served in the Israeli Air Force, where she coordinated training flights at a search and rescue helicopter squadron. She is the secretary and historian for the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in airport development and management from Florida Tech and hopes to become an airport planner.

The winners were presented with their awards at the society’s 61st Annual Banquet in Tampa in November.