GNTC student receives $5,000 scholarship from Delta Air Lines
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To assist in earning her second academic degree, Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) Aviation Maintenance Technology major Stephanie Tarbous received the $5,000 Delta Air Lines Aircraft Maintenance Technology Scholarship, which will pay for her education until she graduates next month.
“The money is out there, you just have to apply for it,” said Tarbous, a resident of Rome. “You might think you don’t have a good enough story to receive a scholarship, but if you show passion for your field it really helps.”
This is the fourth scholarship Tarbous has received during her time at GNTC. The money she receives makes it possible for her to focus solely on her second degree. Tarbous has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University, but after graduation she wanted to go specifically into the field of aviation.
“I remember my dad taking me to the airfield when I was younger to watch the planes take off,” she said. “I loved watching them fly. Planes are so huge and powerful, but they have to be handled with great care.”
Her goal once she graduates is to work on airplane turbine engines in an overhaul shop. According to her instructor Jon Byrd, director of Aviation Maintenance Technology at GNTC, working on airplanes comes naturally to Tarbous.
“She not only strives to learn as much as she can, but she also helps other students by sharing what she has learned with them,” said Byrd. “I have no doubt she will make an extremely valuable employee soon after graduation.”
In the meantime, Tarbous is at GNTC’s Aviation Training Center located at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport in Rome working on the many planes housed at the hanger. Earlier this year, she and her fellow Aviation Maintenance Technology students deconstructed an engine prior to the college-wide closure at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been two months since we took it apart,” she said. “I hope we took good notes!”
On top of the scholarship, Tarbous attended the annual Women in Aviation International Conference in early March for free. Andrew Csondor, Delta aviation maintenance technician and technical analyst, said Tarbous also had the opportunity to meet with some of Delta’s upper management at the conference and attended multiple educational classes.
“I hold Stephanie in high regard,” Csondor said. “She is extremely driven and her passion for the aviation maintenance trade shines through brightly.”
Tarbous also received the Fred and Diane Fitts Aviation Scholarship in 2019, the ATP and Case Bank Aircraft Maintenance Technology Scholarship in 2019 and the Pratt & Whitney Engine Maintenance Training Scholarship. She was also a Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) semifinalist for GNTC in 2020.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of Northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma, or a certificate in business, health, industrial, or public service career paths. This past year, 12,454 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. With an annual credit enrollment of 7,730 students, GNTC is the largest college in Northwest Georgia. GNTC has an additional enrollment of 4,724 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training, and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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John Popham
Marketing Media Specialist
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