The future of Pensacola’s aviation industry took center stage this month as ST Engineering hosted its annual Mayor’s Scholarship Luncheon, celebrating seven exceptional Escambia County seniors who are charting their course toward careers in aerospace. The June 1st event at ST Engineering’s state-of-the-art Airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility brought together scholarship recipients, their families, and community leaders to honor academic achievement while strengthening the pipeline of local aviation talent.
Why this matters: Since its establishment in 2019, ST Engineering’s scholarship program has evolved into a cornerstone initiative supporting students pursuing post-secondary aviation education. This year’s seven recipients each received $2,500 scholarships, representing a significant investment in the region’s workforce development and the students’ educational journeys.
The 2025 scholarship recipients demonstrate the exceptional talent emerging from local high schools:
- Jayden Holt – Booker T Washington High School
- Kyle Hange – West Florida High School of Advanced Technology
- Jonathan Amentler – Booker T Washington High School
- Kevin Jones – Booker T Washington High School
- Jaden Powell – Booker T Washington High School
- Audrey Service – Booker T Washington High School
- Rebekah Simon – Booker T Washington High School
Building Pensacola’s Workforce of the Future
Mayor D.C. Reeves emphasized the broader community impact of these scholarships during the celebration. “These scholarships are more than just awards; they’re strategic investments in our youth and the future of our community,” Mayor Reeves noted. “By nurturing local talent in high-demand career fields, we’re strengthening our workforce and creating a city of opportunity for the next generation.”
- The partnership between ST Engineering and the City of Pensacola reflects a shared commitment to developing homegrown talent in the aerospace sector. With Pensacola’s rich aviation heritage and growing aerospace industry presence, these scholarships help ensure that local students have pathways to meaningful careers without leaving their community.
Alvin Bass, Senior Vice President of ST Engineering Pensacola Operations, highlighted the program’s long-term vision: “This scholarship program is significant because it helps build a local, skilled workforce to drive the future of aerospace and aviation in Pensacola for decades to come. We believe that investing in young people through these scholarships allows them to see more than a classroom or a hangar – we want them to envision their future.”