Written by AMA staff (04/2007); Transcribed by JS (02/2008), Reformatted by JS (01/2010)
Breanna Sherrow is the recipient of a $4,000 Charles Hampson Grant scholarship and was awarded a $2,200 Sig scholarship. A graduate of Mountain View High School in Tucson, Arizona, Breanna had a 3.9 grade-point average (out of a possible 4.0).
The daughter of Clay and Debbi Sherrow, Breanna has grown up around the hobby. She began flying a trainer when she was seven years old. As she became a more accomplished pilot, she began competing in Scale Warbird Racing Association (SWRA) events. She wrote, “I always liked flying in races, but my favorite part was when the race was over and I could do loops, rolls and other stunts. When I did not race, I was a caller for my dad during Warbird and Pylon races.” She has built a Midwest .40 trainer, rockets, and a Big Stik 40. She has been involved in a number of events including an AMA Jet Rally, the Tucson Jet Rally, SWRA and Tucson Warbird Races, and the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout. As a contestant, she has attended several Warbird races and fun-fly events, and races RC cars.
Breanna has overcome a major challenge in her life. As an elementary student, she was evaluated, and while her mathematical skills were far beyond those expected at her grade level, her reading and writing proficiency fell short. She was diagnosed with a learning disability and received help through the Independent Education Plan (IEP) program.
With determination and motivation, Breanna brought her skills up to grade level more rapidly than expected but continued in the IEP program where help was always available. In her freshman year of high school it was determined that she no longer needed the program and she became quite upset.
“I realized that the very crutches I once needed were being taken away from me,” she wrote. “I did not think I could survive without them; however, I could indeed walk without crutches and came to realize that I could excel in school on my own.”
With determination, Breanna overcame her disability and was recognized as a scholar of the year her freshman year, an honor awarded to only two students from each grade level. Breanna was a member of SBC (Site Based Council), an advisory committee of students, parents, faculty, and staff. She participated in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), the National Honor Society, and the Link Crew, a transition program designed to acclimate freshmen students to high school. She was also a member of the Family Career Community Leaders of America.
Breanna played volleyball throughout high school and volunteered as the freshman boys’ volleyball coach her senior year. At the YMCA, she ran a weeklong volleyball camp teaching young girls the fundamentals of the game and worked in Member Services.
She was a participant in the ZONA Volleyball Club, a non-profit organization that offers training and competitive opportunities to female athletes in grades 4-12.
In her community, Breanna has done volunteer work including collecting for a Thanksgiving food drive, Habitat for Humanity, sports events, and tutoring.
In addition to her honors and college preparatory classes, Breanna applied to and began taking classes at Pima Community College during her sophomore year, earning 24 credits. She is attending the University of Arizona and plans to major in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She hopes to teach child development and coach a varsity volleyball program.
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