Written by AMA staff (01/2003); Transcribed by JS (02/2008), Reformatted by JS (02/2010)
Stephen J. Vaclav, from St. Cloud, Florida, was awarded a $3,500 Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship. A graduate of St. Cloud High School, Steve plans to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida.
Steve took every math course offered by the high school and was enrolled in numerous Advance Placement Honors and Duel Enrollment classes. He was one of only eight students to maintain an un-weighted 4.0 average throughout his four years.
Involved in the National Honor Society, Steve served as treasurer and the coordinator of a successful blood drive. He was a member of the school math club, Mu Alpha Theta, and helped tutor math students during lunch periods and after school.
A favorite extracurricular activity Steve was involved in was the “Best Buddies” program. In this program, the student volunteers ate lunch with and helped mentally disabled children. “It is cool,” he wrote, “because they get really excited when we come.”
Within the community, Steve spent time tutoring at Hickory Tree Elementary School and helped with the Kid’s Club at his church.
Steve and his father learned to fly several years ago with the purpose of becoming Pylon racers. Roughly two years after he started flying, Steve entered his first contest in Jacksonville, Florida, won first place, and had the fast time in Standard Class. Steve became only the second person to advance to Expert Class after only his first race. He won many other contests, including Best Senior at the 2001 Nationals in Q-500.
Steve is a member of South East Miniature Pylon Racing Association (SEMPRA), National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA), and a member of the Sunset Fliers. Among the aircraft he and his father have built are a Kadet, Superfly, Extra 300, Ugly Stik, and Ultra Stik. Several Q-500 airplanes include a Quick V, Scat Cat, Dodger, Intimidator, Neme-Q, and Wood Vortex.
Steve was awarded an Academic class ring for his achievements at St. Cloud High School and received top honors in math, English, and history. He plans to continue sport flying and Pylon Racing with his father.
Good luck to you, Steve, and keep flying!
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