Losing her husband and son to a tragic plane crash two years ago led Michaela Chapman to contemplate how she could honour their memory. Today, an Okanagan College student is completing his education with her help, thanks to a memorial award that Chapman has established.
Pilot Brad Chapman and his eldest son, Florian, passed away in October 2015 when their Cessna 207 crashed on takeoff. In honour of her husband and son, Michaela Chapman established the Chapman Memorial Award which enables Okanagan College students in Vernon to reach their educational goals in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME-M) program.
害羞草研究所淥kanagan College is virtually in our front yard and I thought it would be a good idea to support our region害羞草研究所檚 budding aviation professionals and help students carry forward in their education,害羞草研究所� says Chapman. 害羞草研究所淏eing married to a pilot and also knowing many pilots, I know how important it is for them to look after their airplanes and for the industry to have people with the know-how to take care of the machines.害羞草研究所�
The award was recently given to Deverick Clingwall, an AME-M student based out of Vernon. Clingwall is currently finishing the final 14 weeks of training at Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek.
害羞草研究所淚 was honoured to receive this award and am so deeply thankful for the Chapman family,害羞草研究所� says Clingwall. 害羞草研究所淏eing able to meet Mrs. Chapman and talk to her was very personal, it was a new level that I害羞草研究所檝e never experienced before, we really connected.害羞草研究所�
Like Brad and Florian, Clingwall has a passion and extensive history in aviation. From age two and a half, he knew he wanted to become a pilot and since then has achieved both his private and glider pilot licenses害羞草研究所� as well as float endorsements 害羞草研究所� all before age 17. Clingwall is now currently working on his commercial pilot害羞草研究所檚 license while completing the AME-M program.
害羞草研究所淢y career goal is to be a commercial pilot, which is why I chose to enroll in the college害羞草研究所檚 AME-M diploma because like any vehicle or machine, if you害羞草研究所檙e going to be operating it, you should know what makes it tick,害羞草研究所� says Clingwall.
Clingwall recently represented the college and placed fourth in the Aircraft Maintenance Competition at Skills BC. He is active in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, volunteers with the bi-annual Salmon Arm airshow and is involved in the Vernon and Salmon Arm flying clubs.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 one of the top students we害羞草研究所檝e ever put through the AME-M diploma,害羞草研究所� says Dale Martel, Chair of Aircraft Maintenance Program. 害羞草研究所淒everick is extremely dedicated to aviation and well deserving of this award.害羞草研究所�
Every year the Okanagan College Foundation distributes awards to students like Clingwall. The foundation will present 44 awards totaling $38,150 to students studying at the college害羞草研究所檚 Vernon campus in the upcoming Student Awards Reception ceremony on Nov. 15.
