
Scholarships
Scholarships are ongoing, and a big part of the International Ninety Nines. Click below for more information on Ninety-Nines International Scholarships, local scholarships, and national scholarships.
Past Scholarship Winners
Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship
The Aloha Chapter Scholarship Committee administers The Marguerite Gambo Wood Scholarship which is funded from the Marguerite Gambo Wood Trust as well as from other private individuals who desire to support flight training for women through the Aloha Chapter.

Instrument Pilot
Michelle JoAnn
I am humbled to receive support from the Aloha Chapter 99s through the Marguerite Gambo Wood Scholarship for 2025. I will be using these funds to complete my commercial license. As a mother to a child under 2 years old, the support from the 99s community and the generosity of these funds are vital to my aviation development. I'm dedicated to pursuing my dream of being a pilot and cultivating a network of encouragement with those on the journey alongside me. Mahalo to the team and blue skies!

Student Pilot
Laura Ivanova
Aloha, I’m Laura, and I’m a very proud recipient of the 2025 MGW scholarship. After nearly two decades in my current career as a self-employed photographer, I decided it was finally time to chase my dreams of becoming an airline pilot. I hope to encourage other women that might be older than the average student that it’s never too late to pivot and do something completely new! The Aloha 99s and the amazing community of women pilots in Hawaii have been invaluable in their camaraderie, support, and encouragement. In six months, I’ve completed all of the requirements for my private pilot certificate and am in the final push toward check ride prep. My savings have only carried me so far, so this scholarship is appreciated beyond words, and will help me immensely in completing my PPL, and continuing immediately on to instrument training. I am so humble and grateful to be selected as a MGW scholarship recipient.

Instrument Pilot
Kailee Balthazar-Chang
Aloha! I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship. As a full-time Flight Instructor at Barbers Point Flight School and a mother to a two-year-old, balancing the responsibilities of parenthood and pursuing my aviation dreams can be challenging. This scholarship has made the next step in my journey towards becoming an Airline Transport Pilot possible and has provided me with the opportunity to achieve my aviation goals.

Student Pilot
Anais Rodriguez
Aloha, my name is Anais Rodriguez and I am an aspiring airline pilot working on my Instrument Rating at Pacific Flight Academy and a proud recipient of the 2025 Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship. Thanks to the Ninety-nines and the MGW scholarship, I am alleviated of a lot of mental and financial stress that comes with flight training, allowing me to focus more on flying and studying. I am eternally grateful for receiving this scholarship and the invaluable support I have received from the Aloha Chapter!

Commercial Pilot
Hannah Whelan
Hannah is a Commercial pilot from Kauai and a grateful recipient of the 2025 Marguerite Gambo Woods Scholarship.
This scholarship will allow Hannah to get started on her CFI training and has granted her the ability to continue flying without financial constraint.​ ​

Commercial Pilot
Caitlin Thomas
Aloha! I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship. As a full-time Flight Instructor at Barbers Point Flight School and a mother to a two-year-old, balancing the responsibilities of parenthood and pursuing my aviation dreams can be challenging. This scholarship has made the next step in my journey towards becoming an Airline Transport Pilot possible and has provided me with the opportunity to achieve my aviation goals.

Private Pilot
Sofia Garcia
Aloha! I am 19 years old and have recently earned my Private Pilots License at Pacific Flight Academy in Honolulu. The funds from this scholarship will help me earn my instrument rating. I am super excited to embark on this new journey and am very grateful for the 99s for their help and support! I would not be where I am without their assistance, encouragement and love.

Student Pilot
Meredith Grimmer
Receiving the MGW scholarship means I can make the final push towards my PPL!!! I’m a mother of a 17-yr-old daughter, a flight attendant at Hawaiian Airlines and also a licensed massage therapist since 2002. Outside of work, my passions include pre- and post-natal health, as a former birth doula, and being in nature. You’ll either find me swimming in the ocean or up in the mountains hiking or snowboarding. Facing an empty nest in the near future, I’ve been slowly working away at my first rating for about a year now, juggling 2 jobs, motherhood and life. Receiving the MGW scholarship is giving me a huge boost to make the final push through my solos, cross-countries and tests. My goal is to have my first rating by summer and then continue on towards my instrument rating a.s.a.p. A huge mahalo to the MGW Foundation for supporting me!!!

Student Pilot
Gabriana Wond
Aloha, I am very grateful to have been awarded the Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship. Thus far, I have used this scholarship for my flight training to work towards completing my private pilot’s license. This award has significantly impacted me and my family
as flight training can be quite costly. By receiving this scholarship, I have been able to get a head start on my dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, as well as having to worry less about the financial side of my flight training. Through this scholarship I have been empowered to continue my passion of flying and working towards my goals for the future. The Marguerite Gambo Wood Flight Training Scholarship has enabled me to continue my flight training without being stunted by the expense of training.