Established in 2016 to celebrate Academy College’s 80th Anniversary, the scholarship provides $5,000 to two students pursuing an aviation degree or a professional pilot career, in honor of Sherm Booen.
This year’s recipients of the $5,000 Sherm Booen Scholarship awards are Shera Perken Felicio and is Justin Campbell.
Meet Shera Perken Felicio: Ms. Felicio challenges herself around her self-awareness. Hard work and perseverance brought both her and her mom to the US from the Philippines. Since arriving, she notes that it’s been difficult for her to open up and find her voice, but she has continued to overcome that by immersing herself in both the Academy College and Thunderbird Aviation communities and utilizing her passion for aviation and learning to lead by example. It’s impossible to catch Ms. Felicio when she’s not on task, as she is always working, learning and growing. Ms. Felicio is currently working on completing her Associates Degree in the Commercial Pilot program.
Meet Justin Campbell: In sharing with us his personal challenges that ultimately bolstered his discipline and work-ethic, Mr. Campbell provided the scholarship committee with a lesson in establishing an effective routine – pure focus. He doesn’t stop. He lets no opportunity pass. As he told the Committee, “I show up even when I’m tired.” More than that, he is compassionate. His involvement with Young Flyers and the ways in which he supports his peers at Academy College prove it. Mr. Campbell is currently working on completing his Bachelor’s Degree in the Commercial Aviation program.
We welcomed Minnesota State Representatives Ron Kresha and Joe Schomacker who presented the scholarships to our students and acknowledged all the hard work, dedication, and success in their educational journey.
Sherm Booen was born on a farm near Glenville, MN He was a B-17 civilian test pilot during World War II and moved to Richfield with his wife and daughter after the war. He then worked in radio and television and successfully published the World of Aviation and his magazine The Minnesota Flyer. WCCO TV showed his World of Aviation every Sunday morning for over 28 years. Sherm was inducted into the Minnesota Hall of Fame in 1995. Over the years, Sherm became known as the voice for aviation in the state of Minnesota.
Academy College has been offering aviation programs since the 1990s, including commercial flight, dispatch, aviation management, mechanic apprenticeships, and more. Our success stems from our students, who receive hands-on training from instructors working in the field, small class sizes, and scheduling that meets their needs. From first time college attendees to students returning for a second degree, our team supports each one every step of the way.
Contact Academy College at 952-851-0066, or email scholarship@academycollege.edu for scholarship details.