Full Name: Melissa Diaz Cooper
Where are you from?: All over (due to military moves) but spent my first 22 years in New York and my summers in Puerto Rico.
What stage of your training are you? Commercial
What is the name of the organization you received the scholarship from?
The Pinky and Joe Brier Foundation. Scholarships for women in the fields of aviation and maritime transportation.
Where is the organization located? Seattle, Washington
How did you hear about the scholarship? A member of the Ninety-Nines complied a list of aviation scholarships and sent it to all members, the Pinky and Joe Brier Foundation was listed as an opportunity.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to get where you are today? I mostly had to overcome the financial obstacles of flight training. The high cost of living in Hawai’i and flight training costs were significant factors in my decision to apply for scholarships.
Where do you hope your training will take you? Goals? My overall aviation career goal is to fly search and rescue missions in my community and my dream is to fly search and rescue for the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD).
What advice would you give to others applying for scholarships? Apply for scholarships big and small. Highlight your community service or volunteer initiatives. Start early, don’t wait until the last week to compile your essays or letters of recommendations. Tailor your essay to the scholarship or organization’s values. If you ask for a letter of recommendation, provide some details or bullet points you would like the writer to highlight. Lastly, become a member of an aviation affinity group.