An encouraging past and a soaring future

  • Published
  • By Lauren Fingers
  • AFRL Propulsion Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The sky can seem like the limit for some interns, but it is not the limit for these previous Wright Scholars, it's only the beginning. 

As three young kids Curtis Sinewe, Will McCuddy and Augusta Runyon shared a common dream: they each wanted to fly. Additionally, they were all also interested in engineering and found a home in the Wright Scholar program to finally bring their dreams and interests together. 

The Wright Scholar program was started in 2002 by John Horner, principle aerospace engineer, and has achieved growing success and rising popularity among its participants. The program has produced many scientists and engineers, but what some may overlook is that the program has also helped shape the careers of future Air Force officers. 

"Through the program you get to see where your research actually goes and watch an idea on paper be put into action," said Curtis Sinew, former Wright Scholar. 

Curtis Sinewe, entering his fourth year at the University of Toledo and current ROTC student, claims his biggest inspiration was Major Richard Webster, his mentor from the Wright Scholar Program. 

"He always spoke so highly of the Air Force," says Sinewe who feels that Major Webster and the program provided him with many opportunities and experiences that encouraged him towards a military career. "You won't find a better class of people;" he said referring to the Air Force. 

Will McCuddy also accredits his entrance into ROTC to the officers he worked with during his time as a Wright Scholar. 

"They gave me that extra push," said McCuddy. "They told me to at least try it and give it a chance, and I thank them for that." 

As a Wright Scholar, Will had the chance to work with Mike Melvill, SpaceShipOne pilot, and was inspired to look into a possible space/test pilot career. He is now pursuing this path and has been working on the pulsed detonation engine for the Long E-Z aircraft, which was tested this past January. The former Scholar is continuing this dream in his everyday life, and has recently been selected to attend pilot training. 

Augusta Runyon is also pursuing her dreams through the aerospace engineering program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida,  where she hopes to become a pilot or navigator one day. 

"Wright Scholars are awesome," said Runyon. 

According to Augusta, the classes she took at the Air Force Institute of Technology  through the Wright Scholar Program were very beneficial and influential on her future. 
Because of the program, Augusta has had the chance to get her name out there by becoming the co-author of a scientific publication titled "Thermal-Hydraulic Performance and System-Level Effects of Al203-Propanol Nanofluid." Augusta's involvement included setting up the experiment, collecting data, and working to form conclusions; an experience not many her age get to have. 

Although these three aren't young kids anymore, they still share the same dream of flying, and through the Wright Scholar program, they have been given the essentials to make their dreams a reality.