The Minden Soaring Club awarded five scholarships to youth to help finance flight and ground instruction in preparation for obtaining a private or other glider rating.

Each of the $1,000 checks was awarded to youths who demonstrated they are interested in learning to fly gliders and/or who have already begun their training and need additional monetary assistance.  

Scholarship winners are: Ryan Holcomb of Carson City; Joshua Nord of Gardnerville; Ari Erickson of Carson City; Emily Hillman of Gardnerville; and Ivan Altunin of Incline Village. 

Glider pilots must go through the same certification procedures as powered airplane pilots, and with proper training, a pilot can solo a glider by age 14 and obtain their private pilot glider rating by age 16.