Jed Bench graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on Aug. 27. Shown here at his graduation are, from left, his brother, Josiah Bench; his father, Kurt Bench; Jed; his mother, Corinna Bench; and his grandfather, David Bench. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

2026 Woodmore graduate Myles Byrd is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering at Ohio State University. (Submitted photo)

OTTAWA COUNTY – Each year, the Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) impacts thousands of lives, including recipients of scholarships that boost educational opportunities and brighten the future for local students. OCCF is continually seeking new ways to support local youth, and this year, it announced the first ever Harold H. Brown Aviation Scholarship. The late Lt. Col. Harold Brown of Catawba Island was a Tuskegee Airman, POW, and war hero.

The scholarship was created with excess donations that were earmarked for a sculpture of Brown that is displayed at the Liberty Aviation Museum. OCCF managed a grant for the base of the sculpture, and Brown’s widow, Dr. Marsha Bordner, approached OCCF Executive Director, Shea McGrew, with the idea of a scholarship.

“I was talking with Marsha Bordner, and she asked how much money we would need to start a scholarship, if they raised more money than they needed for the sculpture,” McGrew said. “It all started with Marsha.”

According to information provided by OCCF, the Harold H. Brown Aviation Scholarship is presented to students or adults who “are looking to pursue their education (in degree granting or certification/licensing programs) in the fields of aviation or aerospace at an accredited four or two year collegiate institution or technical school.” Qualifying areas of study include, but are not limited to, piloting, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, aircraft/airport operations, aviation/aeronautical engineering, navigation, and logistics.

Three students were chosen as recipients of the first Harold H. Brown Aviation Scholarships. They are Myles Byrd of Woodville, Olivia Hand of Oak Harbor, and Jed Bench of Elmore.

Byrd is a 2026 Woodmore High School graduate and is currently a freshman at Ohio State University where he is majoring in aerospace engineering with hopes of eventually working for NASA, SpaceX, or a major company. While in high school, he was involved in sports, band, Boy Scouts, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As he entered his senior year, he was unsure of a career path.

Olivia Hand of Oak Harbor is pursuing a professional pilot minor at Kent State University. (Submitted photo)

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but what I did know was I like math and science better than English and history, so I looked for majors and came across engineering,” Byrd said. “Space is just very interesting to me, and I thought it would be cool to do engineering in that area.”

Byrd is very grateful for the scholarship.

“I wasn’t expecting any more scholarships, so that was a really nice surprise,” he said. “I’m honored. It’s very nice.”

Hand is an Oak Harbor High School graduate who is currently a freshman at Kent State University, where she is pursuing a professional pilot minor. Information from OCCF said Hand was chosen because she was “an outstanding student in high school” who completed many advanced AP classes and was “very involved in various activities.”

Hand discovered a passion for flight when she experienced her first plane ride during a trip to Florida while in high school. Although she is not sure she wants to make it her primary career, becoming a pilot is a focused goal.

“I went on my first airplane ride not long ago, and that’s what sold me,” she said. “If I end up finding I really love aviation, I could do it as a job.”

Hand is grateful for the scholarship.

“I was completely shocked. It will really help,” she said.

Bench graduated from Aerospace and Natural Science Academy in Toledo (ANSAT) in May, and he graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on Aug. 27. He is completing technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and will then serve as an aircraft mechanic in the Air National Guard with the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo for six years.

Bench grew up on his parent’s Shared Legacy Farms in Elmore and became interested in radio-controlled airplanes when he was about 13. Those two experiences fueled his desire to study aircraft mechanics.

“I built and flew radio-controlled airplanes for six years,” he said. “I grew up on a vegetable farm and was always tinkering on tractors and ATVs, but the best of the best is aviation. I wanted to work on fighter jets. This is the only time in my life I can work on fighter jets. Plus, in the military, you make great connections. It’s been lifechanging already.”

But Bench isn’t finished tinkering on tractors. His ultimate goal is to become a teacher at ANSAT and return to the farm.

“I don’t want to leave area,” he said. “I’ll teach in the winter and farm in the summer. That’s my goal. The scholarship is going to be a great help to reach that goal.”