Written by AMA staff (01/2003); Transcribed by JS (02/2008), (08/2009)
Douglas James Hayes of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina is the recipient of a $1,000 Sig Scholarship. Doug graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School in North Carolina and is currently attending North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering, with plans to major in either Mechanical or Material Science Engineering.
Doug participated in track, swimming, and four years of soccer, lettering in all while in high school. He was a Scholar Athlete for all four years and a North Carolina Academic Scholar. He was also a member of the Show Choir, took part in school plays, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, and Health Occupation Students of America.
Doug also attained the level of Eagle Scout and was an assistant den leader for the Cub Scouts. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Youth Group and was honored as Youth of the Year in 1999.
Doug has worked several part-time jobs including at a communications company where he worked with computers and video equipment, and at an aquatics center where he was a lifeguard, assistant pool manager, and office staff. He also works as host and buses tables at a local restaurant and saloon as well as officiating at youth soccer matches.
Another of Doug’s extracurricular activities has been with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. A participant since eighth grade, in 2000 Doug was on the planning committee as well as the featured guest speaker at the opening ceremonies. Doug was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer when he was only four.
Major surgery and subsequent treatments, followed by post-treatment complications, numerous hospitalizations, three other major surgeries and most recently post-trauma diabetes, have left this 18-year-old with an attitude to be admired. “True grit” is how his school counselor described his determination to succeed.
The son of an aircraft mechanic and avid modeler, Doug was exposed to his dad’s hobby of Radio Control model airplanes from birth. His father’s workshop and airplanes have held Doug’s interest through the years as he began to fly and build some of his own models. Doug’s mother wrote, “Airplanes were among his favorite playthings as a toddler. The day I found him with a wooden airplane at his feet and a measuring tape in his hand to look like a radio, making engine noises, is my favorite childhood story to tell – he was two at the time!”
As a member of AMA since 1990 and a member of the local 95th Squadron Model Club, Doug has attended the Nats, Top Gun, and many local and regional competitions as a spectator. He has also flown in local fun-fly events and acted as pit crew for his father and others at Scale competitions.
Doug has overcome tremendous obstacles and has managed to achieve scholastic success and participate in many extracurricular activities. Doug, the Academy wishes you every success at North Carolina State.
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