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Youth Outreach
The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter (ARAC) is part of the national Tuskegee Airmen Inc. organization consisting of 50 chapters. Chartered in 2006, ARAC’s mission is to perpetuate the activities and achievements of those Americans who shared in the aspirations and frustrations of pioneering men and women in the Tuskegee experience of the US Army Air Corps and to actively motivate youth to outstanding achievement and leadership. The Tuskegee Airmen’s strength of character, courage and ability to triumph over adversity during World War II serves to inspire others, especially our youth, to set goals and succeed today. Leveraging this rich legacy, along with a very dynamic outreach program, ARAC is able to raise funds and to form partnerships with civilian and military organizations to effectively serve the community. While ARAC uses aviation as a “hook” to inspire students to take an interest in STEM, students are encouraged to pursue excellence in any career field of their choice.
Scholarships
While our nation, state, and cities continue to grapple with economic, political, and social challenges, the ArcherRagsdale Arizona Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ARAC) persevered in its youth outreach program. By July 30, 2024, eight high school students had made unprecedented achievements in academics and aviation. Each earned a $1,500 ARAC scholarship. One is enrolled at the Air Force Academy, and two completed solo flights in a Cessna 182 aircraft. ARAC is immensely proud to present the following 2024 high achievers:
Mbuseni Tshivhase
El Mirage, AZ; Shadow Ridge High School;
Gateway Community College;
Biochemistry
Hannah Watkins
Tempe, AZ; Marcos de Niza High School; Arizona State University; Engineering.
Kievon Hammond
Phoenix, AZ; Maricopa Institute of Technology; Northern Arizona University; Mechanical Engineering
Milani Bankston
– Phoenix, AZ; Desert Vista High School; North Carolina AT&T; Chemical Engineering
Billal Abulfotuh
Chandler, AZ; Paragon Science Academy; Arizona State University; Electrical Engineering
Iain Lanphier
– Scottsdale, AZ; Brophy College Preparatory; US Air Force Academy; Aeronautical
Engineering
Tommie Tuggle
Phoenix, AZ; Marcos de Niza High School; Arizona State University; Aerospace
Engineering-Astronautics
Makayla Jenkins
Phoenix, AZ; Senior at Dessert Garden Montessori High School; ultimately aspires
to become a commercial airline pilot.
This year’s stellar performers were selected from a list of eighty-eight applicants from throughout the state of
Arizona. They applied through the Arizona Community Foundation with whom ARAC partners to reach the
broadest possible number of deserving and needy students. Ms. Diana Gregory, ARAC Coordinator for
Scholarships, leads an exceptional team of professionals who review the applications and select the recipients
based on scholastic merit and need. The scholarships are awarded in honor of three original Tuskegee Airmen
who had ties to Arizona and include the late Col. (Ret) William Campbell, Lt. Col. (Ret) Robert Ashby, and Lt.
Col. (Ret) Asa Herring. Two additional scholarships are awarded by the Diana Gregory Foundation.
Campbell Scholarship
TASF Scholarship
Each year the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation (TASF) grants scholarship awards to deserving young men and women, dedicated to the preservation of history regarding African American Veterans who served during World War II. Their actions demonstrated to America that responsible citizenship and high character are the standards for success, not ethic origin.
Diana Gregory Scholarship
Students in the spotlight
Sixteen year old Jackson Gray was awarded Eagle Scout honors at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Nov 21. Presenting was his dad. Jackson was the top graduate in the 2018 ACE Academy. He served as a student mentor in the 2019 ACE Academy and was also selected to attend Continuing the Legacy in Aviation sponsored by Southwest Airlines in Dallas in Oct 2019. Jackson is a scholarship finalist to attend an EAA sponsored trip to Oshkosh in the summer of 2020.
For More Information, Contact:
Joseph A. Olano, Chapter President