Key Takeaways
• Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner each awarded $2,500 Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization scholarship on May 3, 2025.
• Scholarships support Cook or Lake County residents aged 15+ pursuing aviation careers or education in accredited programs.
• The program aims to address industry talent shortages and foster aviation interest through community engagement and historical preservation.
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization has again shown its strong support for the next generation of aviation professionals by announcing the 2025 winners of its aviation scholarships. At the Annual Meeting on May 3, 2025, two recipients—Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner—were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship. These awards help students cover costs as they continue their flight training and work toward a future in aviation. The organization’s ongoing commitment to promoting aviation careers, supporting future pilots, engaging the community, and preserving local aviation history continues to benefit the Cook County area and beyond.
The Scholarship Announcement: Who, What, When, and Why
Every year, the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization recognizes outstanding students in Cook or Lake County who are committed to building an aviation career. At this year’s Annual Meeting, held on May 3, 2025, the organization named Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner as the 2025 aviation scholarship recipients.
This announcement is important for many reasons. First, it provides financial support for students who may otherwise struggle to afford the high costs of pilot training. Second, it highlights the dedication of local organizations and volunteers who work to expand opportunities in aviation. Finally, it brings attention to the growing need for new talent in the aviation industry, especially as older pilots retire and airlines prepare for more demand.
Each scholarship is valued at $2,500. The money must be used for education or training expenses related to aviation. Both 2025 winners, Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner, are actively working toward their commercial pilot certifications. They both dream of becoming professional pilots, and this funding will help move them one step closer to their goals.
About the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization is a local nonprofit focused on helping youth and adults learn to fly, consider aviation as a career option, and connect with others interested in flight. Their work doesn’t stop with scholarships—they host community events, promote aviation safety, and preserve the rich aviation history of Cook County.
Their mission is built on four pillars:
– Promoting flight training for people of all ages, especially in local communities
– Encouraging students to explore the many career paths available in aviation, beyond being a pilot
– Organizing community events like fly-ins to build interest and friendships around aviation
– Preserving and sharing the stories that make Cook County’s aviation history unique
This strong sense of mission helps explain why the group has provided scholarships for five years in a row. With every award, the Arrowhead Eagles make it easier for motivated students to start, continue, and finish the training they need to join the aviation workforce.
Details of the 2025 Aviation Scholarships
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization’s 2025 aviation scholarships come with several important features:
- Each winner receives $2,500 to use toward aviation education or flight training.
- The scholarships are open to people at least 15 years old who live in either Cook or Lake County.
- Applicants must enroll in an accredited flight training program not more than one year after they receive the award.
- The program is open to those who want to be pilots as well as students seeking other aviation-related careers.
- The goal: to lower the financial barrier for those working hard to become a part of the aviation field.
Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner, this year’s winners, met these requirements and impressed the selection committee with their dedication. Both are focused on becoming commercial pilots—a process that requires many hours of training, a series of written and flight tests, and a passion for flight.
Application Process and Community Engagement
For many students, the journey toward a career in aviation can feel long and expensive. In fact, the path to a pilot’s license often costs several thousand dollars and requires a lot of time and patience. Scholarships like those offered by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization make it easier for local students to reach their goals.
Applying for the 2025 aviation scholarships (and future awards, including the 2026 cycle) is simple. Applications are available at the Cook County/Grand Marais Airport, where flight training takes place, as well as through local high schools. This accessible approach allows students from different backgrounds and schools to learn about the program and apply if they are interested.
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization also invites donors and community members to support its scholarship program and other aviation projects. By making a donation or volunteering, individuals can help keep aviation opportunities open and exciting for new generations.
The Scholarship’s Impact on Recipients and the Aviation Industry
Scholarships do more than just lower the cost of flight training. They offer encouragement and recognition for hard work. For recipients like Jordan Ekroot, being chosen as a winner signals that experienced professionals believe in them. This support often inspires students to keep working during tough training periods and to dream bigger.
Aviation needs new talent. Airlines, charter companies, and even emergency medical flight crews rely on a steady flow of new workers to replace those who retire or leave the industry. The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization’s scholarship program helps fill this gap locally by preparing more people in Cook and Lake County for these important jobs.
For the wider community, helping these students succeed means more local pilots, mechanics, and aviation professionals will stay in the area after their training. This can spur economic growth, improve flight safety, and keep the benefits of aviation in the hands of local residents.
Requirements and Opportunities for Future Applicants
The Arrowhead Eagles Organization has set clear rules to keep the scholarship program fair and goal-oriented:
- Applicants must be at least 15 years old when they apply.
- They must live in Cook or Lake County at the time of application.
- Winners must use their scholarship for training in an accredited flight program within one year.
While the scholarships support students seeking commercial pilot licenses—the entry point to professional flying—they are also available for other aviation students. Those interested in aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and other specialized areas are encouraged to apply.
This means that students who love airplanes, travel, or mechanics all have a reason to consider applying for the next round of Arrowhead Eagles scholarships in 2026. Information about the upcoming application cycle is available at schools and local airports, making it easy for interested youth and adults to get started.
Promoting Regional Aviation and Preserving History
A key part of the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization’s mission is to preserve and promote Cook County’s aviation history. While scholarships are the group’s best-known program, members also organize events for local residents, such as fly-in gatherings where young people and families can take a closer look at planes and talk to pilots.
By celebrating both the history and future of flight in the region, the Arrowhead Eagles ensure that aviation remains an exciting and respected career path for new generations. Their focus on community engagement means every local resident can participate, either by learning to fly, attending events, or supporting the group’s work.
How to Get Involved
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization encourages everyone interested in airplanes, flight, and helping students achieve their dreams to become involved. Here’s how you can help:
- Donate money to the scholarship fund to expand the support available to students.
- Volunteer your time at fly-in events, airport open houses, or training seminars.
- Share information about the Arrowhead Eagles programs at your school or workplace.
- Reach out to the group’s leaders, Mike Raymond (President) or Rodney Roy (Vice President), for more details about participation or current needs.
Aviation offers rewarding careers, skills that last a lifetime, and a sense of adventure. By joining the Arrowhead Eagles in any way, you help strengthen the local aviation community and make it possible for more people to discover the joys of flight.
The 2025 Winners: Jordan Ekroot’s Path to Success
It’s not easy to earn one of the Arrowhead Eagles aviation scholarships. Applicants like Jordan Ekroot must show not only a passion for flying, but also a clear plan for reaching their career goals. They write essays, explain their need for financial help, and show the progress they’ve already made toward becoming pilots or aviation professionals.
Being named a 2025 winner is an important step for Jordan Ekroot. The scholarship will help pay for the advanced flight training and exams needed to earn a commercial pilot certificate. With this support, Jordan Ekroot can focus more on learning—not just on how to cover training costs.
Stories like these inspire the next class of applicants, showing that with hard work, community support, and a strong desire to learn, the dream of flight is within reach.
Long-term Impact: A Model for Other Communities
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization’s scholarship program stands as a model for other communities. By focusing on local students, connecting with high schools and airports, and offering steady financial support, they have helped more people enter the world of aviation.
The program’s impact is most easily seen in the successes of its recipients, such as Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner. But the long-term benefits reach far beyond the award winners. The scholarships help raise awareness about aviation careers, bring people together, and keep the region’s aviation history alive.
As these students move on to work for airlines, teach others to fly, or build careers in related fields, the seeds planted by the Arrowhead Eagles grow into stronger, more vibrant communities.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Scholarships and Continued Support
Interest in aviation is likely to grow in the coming years, as airlines and freight companies recover from past challenges and demand for travel increases. The need for qualified pilots and technicians is high. Programs like the one offered by the Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization make it easier for young people in Cook and Lake County to fill these roles.
For those interested in applying for the 2026 scholarships or learning more about careers in aviation, information is available through high schools or at the Cook County/Grand Marais Airport. Updates and details about the next application cycle are also available from the organization’s leaders.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, programs such as these reflect a growing trend in grassroots efforts to bridge skills gaps in key industries and show the importance of connecting community support with career training.
To learn more about aviation scholarships across the United States, you can visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s official scholarships page, which collects information on many programs available to aspiring pilots and aviation workers.
Key Takeaways
The Arrowhead Eagles Aviation Organization’s 2025 scholarships show what is possible when local groups, donors, and dedicated students work together. By reducing financial obstacles, supporting career dreams, and promoting aviation as a rewarding path, they are helping build the next generation of skilled pilots and aviation professionals.
For Jordan Ekroot and the others who will follow, the dream of flight is within reach—and the sky is truly the limit.
Learn Today
Commercial pilot certification → An official qualification allowing holders to be paid for flying aircraft, requiring rigorous training and exams.
Accredited flight training program → A flight school or course that meets national education standards and prepares students for recognized pilot licenses.
Community fly-in event → A gathering where pilots and community members meet at an airport to showcase aircraft and promote aviation interests.
Aviation scholarships → Financial awards given to students pursuing education or careers in aviation-related fields such as piloting, mechanics, or air control.
Mentorship → Guidance and support from experienced aviation professionals to help students and newcomers succeed in their aviation careers.
This Article in a Nutshell
On May 3, 2025, Arrowhead Eagles awarded $2,500 scholarships to Jordan Ekroot and Jack Haussner. Their dedication reflects rising demand for skilled pilots. The organization’s scholarships, open to Cook and Lake County residents, help students overcome aviation training costs, foster community support, and inspire future generations to pursue rewarding aviation careers locally.
— By VisaVerge.com
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