A Bridgeport High School senior is the recipient of a renewable $10,000 a year scholarship that he was able to land thanks to the efforts of several individuals, including himself. The news came out during today’s Benedum Airport Authority meeting at the North Central West Virginia Airport.

 

Senior Rhys Davis was awarded a Lockheed Martin scholarship that he will use during his freshman year of college. He is part of the aviation program offered at BHS under Harrison County Academy of Aviation Technology teacher Rafe Snell.

 

Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex Director Tracy Miller said she sent the application out to all aviation-related partners of the North Central West Virginia Airport and state officials as well. Snell was one of those individuals who received the email and he forwarded the application to Davis.

 

From there, the rest is history. Davis is one of 200 individuals awarded the scholarship, Miller said, and the first from West Virginia.

 

“I will be attending Penn State University this summer and fall,” said Davis. “I will be looking to get my degree in mechanical engineering.”

 

Davis said Snell’s program allowed him to “dive into” all aspects of aviation and engineering. Davis has been in the program since his freshman year.

 

“Rhys said this is a $10,000 a year scholarship that you have to remain eligible (for),” said Snell. “It’s a $40,000 scholarship because there is no doubt in my mind that he will stay eligible.”

 

More from the meeting of the Authority, the governing body of the NCWV Airport, in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows, front row from left, Authority Vice President Ernie VanGilder, NCWV Airport Consultant Anthony Bellotte, NCWV Airport Deputy Director Shawn Long. Standing, from left, Rhys Davis, Rafe Snell, MAAC Director Tracy Miller, and NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. Bottom photo shows Snell, middle, talking about the scholarship as Miller and Davis look on.