Written by AMA staff (01/2003); Transcribed by JS (02/2008), Reformatted by JS (09/2009)
Ian Andrew Johnstone, Edgewood, Kentucky, was awarded a $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant scholarship. Ian plans to major in premed and biology at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. His career goal is to enter medical school and specialize in orthopedic surgery. Ian wrote, “I have always played sports and I have been hurt several times, but luckily never bad enough to require surgery. Friends of mine were not as fortunate, though, and they were sidelined repeatedly because of serious injuries. These devastating injuries sometimes ruined many years of hard work and tore apart teams. My dream would be to help kids like my teammates with sports-related injuries.”
Ian served as president of the National Honor Society and participated in varsity soccer, baseball, track, and cross-country. Balancing these activities and maintaining a high standard in the classroom has been frenetic but most beneficial. “Splitting time between several activities has caused me to set goals and strive to accomplish them, a skill that I can use through college and into my chosen career.”
In addition to sports and the National Honor Society, Ian was a member of the Student Council at Scott High School in Taylor Mill, Kentucky. He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students, Spanish National Honor Society, Math Team, Environmental Club, and several prom and homecoming committees.
A third-generation aeromodeler, Ian has been exposed to model aircraft his entire life. As soon as he was old enough, he would go to the flying field with his father and grandfather and play with their airplanes by “cleaning them up and helping” them.
Ian’s first airplane was a Sure Flite foam Cub. He then soloed on a Falcon 56 that his father acquired from a friend. His next aircraft was an Ugly Stik his grandfather let him borrow. The airplane “met a bad end when I turned off the transmitter on landing while trying to lower the throttle trim.”
For Christmas a few years ago, Ian received a Great Planes Extra 300 that he and his father built and flew. Ian’s competition has been limited to fun-flys at the Cincinnati Aeromodelers field where he is a member; however, he is considering entering the IMAC (International Model Aircraft Club) Pattern event that his father is directing. “We will just have to see if I can get up the nerve!” he wrote.
Ian wants to build a Giant Scale P-51, but that may have to wait awhile. Ian wrote that earning his medical degree will take hard work and many years of study, but it is worth it and he is willing to pursue his dream. “Helping someone recover from an injury, or even saving someone’s life would be a rewarding but challenging job that I could use to help the community that raised me.”
Ian plans to make aeromodeling a lifelong hobby since it is such a great way to relax with family and friends. He wrote, “My Dad and I have had some great times at the flying field and someday I would like to share it with my children”
AMA wishes the best for you, Ian, in your chosen profession.
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .