Written by AMA staff (08/1989, 12/1989); Transcribed by JS (01/2009)
Melinda Leigh Anderson, of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, is presently a freshman at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. A check for $1,250 has been mailed to the school on her behalf. Melinda is directing her efforts toward a degree in aeronautical engineering. In 1988, she had the exciting and satisfying experience of being a member of the U.S. team that traveled to Poland for the first ever Junior Free Flight World Championships. She recorded her experiences in a well-written story that appeared in the February 1989 issue of Model Aviation. Melinda has built and flown model aircraft since the age of five. A willing and friendly competitor, she took part in many local, regional, and national contests. Her specialty was Free Flight, and she enjoyed flying 1/2A, A, B, C, and FAI Power models. She also built and flew AMA Scale, P-30, Peanut, Mulvihill, Hand Launch, and Pennyplane models. Her skills made her National Champion in 1984 (two events), in 1985 (four events), and in 1986 (three events.) At Crestwood High School in Mountaintop, she graduated with a 3.899 GPA. In addition to her scholastic excellence, she was involved in many other school activities: student council, class vice president, prom committee, homecoming court, ski club, and others. In sports, she was a keen field hockey player and an avid skier, working as a ski instructor on winter weekends. She was named to the National Honor Society, listed in Who’s Who in American High School Students, and featured on the ESPN Honor Roll in 1987.
-Published in the August 1989 issue of Model Aviation magazine
Melinda Leigh Anderson, of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, is at Michigan State University where she is enrolled in the aeronautical/aerospace engineering program. Her goal is to pursue a career that will keep her close to her forte. A model aviator for many years, Melinda was a member of the Free Flight team that visited Poland for an invitational World Championships meet in 1988. Although an active member of the Wyoming Valley R/C Flyers MAC, Melinda has spent her time almost exclusively with Free Flight aircraft. She has constructed dozens of airplanes and flown in hundreds of competitive events. Supported by her parents and a large family, model aviation has placed an important part in her life since she was five years old. She has won her share of Nats trophies and is a well-respected opponent.
A skilled athlete, she worked for several years as a ski instructor in White Haven, Pennsylvania. She also enjoys other outdoor activities such as fishing, and has been a licensed hunter since she was twelve.
Her achievements in school won her a place in the National Honor Society. Her skills in field hockey have brought her statewide recognition, and in 1987, she was awarded a bronze medal in the Keystone Games.
Melinda is a fine young woman, and we wish her well in school.
-Published in the December 1989 issue of Model Aviation magazine
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