Precision, Perseverance, and Propellers:
The Legacy Lives On
Meet Addisen Thomas
When the Tuskegee Airmen took to the skies during World War II, they proved that excellence knows no color. But behind every legendary pilot was a team of master mechanics who performed miracles on the ground, keeping planes flight-ready with reclaimed parts and sheer ingenuity.
Today, that same spirit of technical brilliance is alive and well in Addisen Thomas.
A standout graduate of Bolingbrook High School, Addisen applied through the Chicago Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. with a stellar 4.42 weighted GPA. Ranking in the top 5% of her class, she isn’t just a dreamer; she is a doer who has spent her senior year getting her hands dirty, literally, to ensure the future of aviation is in good hands.
Engineering a Future at Southern Illinois University
This fall, Addisen is taking her talents to Southern Illinois University (SIU) – Carbondale, where she is majoring in Aviation Technologies. Her goal? To specialize in helicopter maintenance and earn her A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) and IA (Inspection Authorization) licenses.
Her passion for the “how” behind the “wow” of flight, mirrors the grit of the original Tuskegee mechanics. Whether it’s understanding how a machine weighing thousands of pounds can break the sound barrier or riveting sheet metal at a local hangar, Addisen is driven by a desire to master the craft.
“Aviation is one impressive example of human innovation… My dream is to be an aircraft mechanic. I look forward to losing myself in my work, while mentoring and inspiring teens to consider this as a career path.”
— Addisen Thomas
A Trailblazer in the Making
Addisen’s journey hasn’t been without its “turbulence.” When a school scheduling error threatened to grounded her aviation dreams, she didn’t wait for a solution, she built one. Addisen independently reached out to JW Aviation (JWA) and established a first-of-its-kind internship partnership between her high school and the Chicago Bolingbrook International Airport (Clow).
Her teachers and coaches have taken notice of this rare blend of academic “altitude” and grounded leadership:
“Addisen is the type of young woman that takes your feedback and works to better herself… she has created a partnership with Clow International Airport and Bolingbrook High School that we did not have before. This partnership is going to foster many opportunities for future students.”
— Lauren Ross, Counselor & Girls Flag Football Head Coach
Beyond the Hangar: A Distinguished Resume
Addisen’s flight log is packed with unique achievements that make her stand out:
- Aviation Maintenance Intern: Hand-selected to shadow mentors at JW Aviation, assisting with diagnostics and preparing planes for inspection.
- Varsity Athlete: A key player on the Girls Flag Football team, proving her agility both on the field and in the classroom.
- Award-Winning Innovator: Earned 6th place in a National Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Team competition.
- Academic Elite: National Honor Society member, AP Scholar with Distinction, and recipient of the 2023 National African American Recognition Award.
Fuel the Dreams of Tomorrow
Addisen represents the next generation of aviation, one that is diverse, determined, and technically unmatched. In a field where only 1% of aircraft mechanics are Black women, Addisen is ready to shatter the glass ceiling and the hangar door alike.
Your support makes these flights possible. By giving to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation (TASF), you provide the “fuel” for students like Addisen to transition from the classroom to the cockpit and the maintenance bay.
Are you a student with a passion for the skies? Apply for the 2026-27 TASF Scholarship Program when applications are released later this year.
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