Chapter 485’s Proud Tenth Ray Scholarship Winner is Lillian Bannon!  

The Ray Foundation’s Aviation Scholars program is a merit-based scholarship program that is funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the EAA Chapters network. Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides up to $12,000 to deserving youths to help cover their flight training expenses, totaling $2,250,000 in annual scholarship funding.

 
At our April 12th, 2025 chapter meeting, Lillian Bannon was awarded one of the two $12,000 chapter 485 Ray Scholarships for 2025. Lily is an active member of our chapter and has volunteered for several of our chapter activities such as our Young Eagle events. She also helped represent our chapter at the annual Girls in Aviation Day Gulf Coast 2024 hosted by Women in Aviation International Gulf Coast at the Naval Aviation Museum. She is excited to devote her Summer to her flight training.

 

 

Lillian Bannon and  Webber Cantin's Award Presentation 

 

 


Lillian Bannon

 


Lily, her parents and sister

 

 

On a beautiful morning at Pensacola Airport April 23, 2026, Lillian successfully completed her FAA Private Pilot checkride. It was a real family affair! See the associated photos and captions.


Lillian’s CFI Daniela Sabbagh, DPE Dennis Sherwood, Chapter President Ralph Moser and Lillian

 


Many members of Lillian’s family were present to celebrate the big event

 


Lillian and N44290, the checkride aircraft

 


Lillian signing her new Private Pilot Certificate

 


FAA Designated Pilot Examiner Dennis Sherwood congratulates Lillian

 


Scott Swanson presents Lily her Ray Scholar graduate shirt

 


Lily admires her graduate shirt

 


Lily recaps her Private Pilot journey