![Epic Flight Academy, founded in 1999, is the largest Part 141 flight school in the U.S. [Credit: Epic Flight Academy]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Epic-Buys-New-Cessna-Skyhawks-and-Paints-Tails-Red-for-Visibility-cropped-2000.jpg)
Sixteen high school students heading to Epic Flight Academy next year received a boost from the school’s aviation scholarship program, which awarded a total of $135,000 to prospective pilots and aircraft mechanics.
The King Air Nation Foundation also contributed a $5,000 pilot scholarship.
“The judges were impressed with the quality of submissions, which came from 20 states,” said Phyllis Cunniffe, Epic Flight Academy’s student and staff advocate, who organized the team of judges. “More than 100 students applied, so the team put in a lot of work, which we appreciate.”
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Epic Flight Academy was founded in 1999 and is the largest Part 141 school in the United States with campuses all over the country. Epic offers both pilot and maintenance technician training.
Aircraft maintenance scholarships worth $20,000 were awarded to Jayanne Fejeran of Erlanger, Kentucky, and Kole Legrand of Orlando, Florida.
Caden McIntosh of Loxahatchee, Florida, and Nate Williams of Vevay, Indiana, both picked up a $10,000 aircraft mechanic scholarship.
Pilot scholarships for $5,000 were awarded to Andrew Borgert (Henderson, Nevada); Brayden Hayes (Arlington, Texas); Christian Manara (Woodbridge, Virginia); Christopher Clarke (Roslyn, New York); Matthew Hanley (Park City, Utah); Nathan Mosquera (Wellington, Florida); Quincy Schneider, (Winesburg, Ohio); Rachit Anand (Cumming, Georgia); Taj Hester, (Aurora, Colorado); and Tristan Williams (Coconut Creek, Florida).
Mason Mitchell of Murray, Utah, received the $5,000 King Air Nation pilot scholarship.
![Epic Flight Academy 2026 scholarship winners [Credit: EFA]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2026-scholarship-winners.png?w=819)
One flight scholarship is bestowed in memory of Judy Rice, a former Epic flight instructor, author, and record-setter who inspired many when she flew around the world.
“Epic students adored ‘Captain Judy,’ as they called her,” said Cunniffe. “She generously shared her time and knowledge even after classes ended, and she inspired so many. We love giving this scholarship in her memory.”
This year’s winner of the Captain Judy Rice scholarship worth $20,000 is Mateo Latorre of Acworth, Georgia.
In addition to the scholarships, each winner received a plaque and a copy of Rice’s memoir, Around the World with Captain Judy Rice: A Pilot’s Memoir.
The students will begin their training at Epic in 2027.
