ATA awards vocational technology scholarships to personnel's dependents

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Aerospace Testing Alliance's (ATA) focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is opening new doors for ATA personnel's dependents by awarding scholarships in a different educational area - vocational technology.

ATA awarded three ATA Vocational Technology Scholarships with a maximum value totaling $6,000 to Coltin Beavers, Justin Gault and Matt McAdams. Each student received $1,000 this year and will receive $1,000 next year if they maintain a 3.0 GPA and meet school attendance requirements.

Frankie Beavers, an employee in the ATA Test Assets and Support Division and Coltin's father, said, "I would like to thank ATA for the Scholarship. The opportunity for such reward is greatly appreciated."

Coltin is enrolled at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Shelbyville and plans to study Industrial Maintenance, as well as Justin, beginning this month.

Justin's mother, Sonia Gault, is an employee in the ATA Information Technology and Systems Division. She also expressed her appreciation for ATA awarding Justin a scholarship.

"We are very excited that Justin received the ATA Vocational Trade School scholarship and appreciate it greatly," Sonia said. "He is excited about starting his trade school program."

Matt is also enrolled at the TCAT and he began his classes in May and completed his first term in the Industrial Maintenance Program last month.

Aaron McAdams, Matt's father and an employee in the ATA Mission Support Division, said he and his son are thankful that ATA is providing the scholarship.

"Matt commented to me and my wife that he was honored and this gives him more incentive to do his best every day at school," Aaron said. "By helping provide assistance to further his education Matthew is going to strive even more to do his best and further his education."

The ATA Vocational Technology Scholarship Program was created to support post-secondary industrial education related to ATA's mission and operations. Three scholarships will be awarded annually.

"ATA employs a workforce of men and women who are experienced and skilled in mechanical, electrical and industrial systems and crafts," said ATA General Manager Steve Pearson. "Their knowledge, skills, and abilities are critical to successful facility and test support. This program supports vocational training toward that level of expertise, whether students eventually work here or at other industrial complexes."
Students applying for the scholarships must major in industrial full-time programs such as Drafting and CAD; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC); Industrial Electricity; Industrial Maintenance; Welding; Machine Tool Technology; Aviation Maintenance Technology; or Mechatronics. Other industrial full-time programs with comparable curricula may be authorized on a pre-approved basis.

Dependents of ATA personnel interested in applying for scholarships may apply beginning March 2014.

"Students applied by submitting an application packet to the ATA Vocational Technology Scholarship committee," said Teri Black, in the ATA Performance Management Division. "As part of the application process, students were also required to answer two essay questions related to future plans and work safety."

To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must be a dependent of an employee. A dependent may include a natural child, stepchild, legally adopted child, child acquired by adoption, or a child for whom legal guardianship has been awarded to the spouse of an ATA employee.

For more information about the ATA Vocational Technology Scholarship contact Black at 454-7170.