Henrico student earns aviation scholarship

Eleanor Lombardi, a Henrico student, received the Willard G. Plentl Sr. Aviation Scholarship for her achievements in flight, which include having been selected as a flight student in the Pathways Flight Academy, a free summer program that allowed her to earn hours toward her private pilot's license. She said that it was not just a single moment that inspired her to want to become a pilot but rather "a collection of little moments" that added up to something bigger. She intends to pursue a bachelor of science in professional flight degree at Auburn University.

The Plentl scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior in Virginia who is pursuing an aviation-related program at a higher education institution. Eligibility requirements and applications for the Plentl scholarship and two others can be found at doav.virginia.gov.