North Jersey Chapter of the 99s
International Organization of Women Pilots

2008 Dodie and David Riach Memorial Scholarship Winners

Judith Galayda

First is Judith Galayda. Judith is a student at Mercer County Community College, working towards a degree in "Aviation Flight Technology". She began her flight lessons in September 2007 and earned her Private Pilot's License in February 2008. Currently Judith is working on her Commercial License and Instrument Rating. She will be aiming towards her CFI where she will be able to pass on to others the joy of flying. Her ultimate goal is to become a Corporate Pilot. Judith's GPS is 3.93 which has earned her membership in the Honor Society and in the International Aviation Fraternity (Alpha Eta Rho). In addition to her studies and flight training, Judith is Captain of the Mercer County Community College Flight Team and a member of the College Flight Club. Judith is also a certified Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor. She volunteers her time in the Civil Air Patrol and is a member of the Penn Jersey Chapter of the 99s.

Darlene Ann McCann

Next is Darlene Ann McCann. Darlene's goal is to become a CFI where she can share her knowledge and experience with her students. Shortly after graduating from High School, Darlene earned her Private Pilot's License flying Helicopters. She is a member of the Whirly Girls #701", part of the organization of International Women Helicopter Pilots. Due to financial reasons, Darlene was not able to pursue her college studies nor her flight training. She decided to join the Navy where she pursued a new career path as a Hull Maintenance Technician in the Sheet Metal Shop. After being discharged from the Navy, Darlene went back to college while working as an Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker in Local Union 27. Darlene's leadership abilities are illustrated by her being the first female to hold an elective position in Local 27. She became a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker and has moved up to the position of Drafting Project Leader. Along the way, she has completed her Associate Degree and has begun flight lessons toward her Single Engine Land Private Pilot's License. Darlene is currently training under flight instructor, Thomas Flieger, of the Monmouth Area Flying Club.

Kevin Sands

Our final winner is Kevin Sands. Kevin is currently working on his Private Pilot's License at Air Fleet Training Systems located at Caldwell Airport. His immediate goal is to become a CAP Cadet Orientation Pilot where he can intorduce cadets to flying at no cost to them. As a young man, Kevin had been a CAP Cadet himself, who had been given the opportunity to learn to fly and had qualified to solo. As many a dreamer of flight has experienced, the right combination of time and money never seemed to mesh for Kevin to continue his flying. Then 9/11 happened which motivated Kevin to rejoin CAP where he learned how much his dream of flight wanted to become a reality. While moving towards his Private Pilot's License, he has been very active in providing aerospace education to the CAP cadets and has shown leadership in his two positions of Squadron Commander of the Teterboro Composite Squadron and Director of Professional Development in the 221st Group. Kevin's internal navigation system is on course for contributing to General Aviation and to Aerospace Education.

The Dodie Riach Memorial scholarships would not be available if it were not for the generosity of other pilots, people in aviation, and the general public, who not only donate privately, but also through the support of our annual fund raisers. Thank you everyone for your generosity over the years in giving what you can to the scholarship fund. Without you, these three people, and all the other recipients, would not have been able to live their dreams!