Wichita Aero Club Awards Scholarship to Gracie Hochstetler

The Wichita Aero Club has announced that Gracie Hochstetler, a sophomore professional flight major at Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas is the 2018 recipient of its Edward W. Stimpson scholarship. Ms. Hochstetler is the first Hesston College student to receive the $5,000 award, which has been presented to an aspiring aviation professional since 2013. She is the eighth recipient of a scholarship sponsored by the Wichita Aero Club.  

Ms. Hochstetler was home-schooled from kindergarten through the twelfth grade in her hometown of Leesburg, Indiana, graduating in 2016. An instrument-rated pilot, she is working on her Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor ratings. She’s a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who is employed by Hesston Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She also finds time to serve as a Student Ambassador for Hesston College.

The WAC scholarship honors the memory of Ed Stimpson, the late President of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and ICAO Ambassador. It has been awarded annually to a student who seeks to make a significant contribution to the aviation industry upon completion of his or her education.