By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Fritz Bolme, is the fourth recipient of a Ray Aviation Foundation Scholarship. A celebration picnic was held Saturday at the Gen-Air Park, when Bolme received the honor. Also, in the photo are, from left, Bob Johnson, Jim Fowler, Derek Bolme, John Shurts, Kent Johnson, Fritz Bolme, Part Pat Bolme, Nick Anagnos and Owen Jacobi. Contributed Photo
Experimental Aircraft Association members celebrated with a picnic when they presented two scholarships to local students. The event was held at Gen-Air Park in Geneseo for members of Quad Cities Chapter 75 and the Geneseo Chapter.
EAA Chapter of Geneseo presented a $500 scholarship, from the local Chapter’s scholarship program, to Bryson Boxell.
According to Kent Johnson, of the Geneseo Airport and president of the EAA Chapter 410, to be eligible for one of the scholarships, the student must be an EAA Chapter 410 member who is pursuing additional aviation education beyond high school. The scholarship money may be used to help with flight training or tuition at college or vocational aviation training facilities.
Bryson Boxell, son of Shelly and Brent Boxell, is a 2026 graduate of Geneseo High School, who is pursuing professional aviation training at Embry Riddle University in Prescott, AZ.
He was named Chapter 410’s Ray Scholar in 2025.
A second monetary presentation, in the amount of $12,000, for a Ray Aviation Foundation Scholarship, was presented to Fritz Bolme, a GHS junior, who is the son of Derek and Mary Pat Bolme of Geneseo.
The scholarship is to be used for flight training Private Pilot’s license, and Bolme has started his flight training with Quad-Cities Aero at the Quad City International Airport in Moline.
Those attending the recent scholarship presentations at the Gen-Air Park in Geneseo, included, from left, Bob Johnson, Jim Fowler, John Shurts, Nick Anagnos, Shelly Boxell, Bryson Boxell, recipient; Brent Boxell, Kent Johnson, Julie Zwica, Neil Wherspann and Owen Jacobi. Contributed Photo
Johnson said, “EAA Chapter 410 is privileged to be selected by the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) to administer our fourth Ray Aviation Scholarship in a four-year time period.”
Previous Chapter 410 Ray Scholars, who are now incensed pilots, (all GHS students) are: Nathan Dunker -2023; Cooper Schaad-2024; and Bryson Boxell-2025.
EAA chapters play a significant role in the success of the Ray Aviation Scholarship program. Chapters interested in participating are prequalified by EAA through an application process. If selected, they mentor and support the scholarship recipient throughout their flight training journey. Once selected as a Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient, candidates also commit to volunteer service with the local EAA chapter.
EAA Chapter 410 of Geneseo is one of 900 local chapters of EAA, the world’s largest organization for recreational flying. It meets at the Gen-Air Airport in Geneseo on the first Saturday of each month. More information about the EAA Chapter is available at https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa410 or on Face Book.
ABOUT EAA
“The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, WI. The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts, EAA’s 300,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-564-6322 or visit www.eaa.org.”
