‘Strength and Determination’: Scholarship Fuels Embry-Riddle Student’s Flight Success

When Cassidy Blackwood completed a two-semester instrument rating in her first semester at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the accomplishment stood out. For Blackwood, a first-year Aeronautical Science student, her success was driven by momentum — and by a scholarship that allowed her to pursue the rating without hesitation.

Blackwood is the inaugural recipient of the Christopher P. Rushing Memorial Scholarship, a multi-year, milestone-based award funded by the Si Robin Foundation to support exemplary incoming freshman pilots at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus. The scholarship, which totals $75,000 per student specifically for flight, supports professional flight training from instrument rating through multi-engine certification, contingent on academic performance.

“Becoming a professional pilot is a very expensive investment for any student,” Blackwood said. “Receiving the Christopher P. Rushing Memorial Scholarship gave me stability to go into flight training and allowed me to fully commit to Embry-Riddle’s program without constantly weighing costs against progress.”

That stability translated quickly into results.

During her first semester, Blackwood completed the university’s instrument rating course — which is typically completed over two semesters — by working closely with her instructor to set aggressive but achievable benchmarks and reinforcing scheduled flight lessons with additional ground tutoring and simulator practice.

“I was able to finish my instrument rating in one semester rather than two by finding momentum as soon as possible,” she said. “Support from my instructor and tutors played a big role in making that pace sustainable.”

The scholarship not only gave her opportunity but also came with a “sense of responsibility to take full advantage of every lesson and flight,” Blackwood said.

“It’s an honor to be the first recipient of the Christopher P. Rushing Memorial Scholarship,” she said. “I knew that my achievements and performance would define the scholarship moving forward.”

The scholarship is named in memory of Christopher P. Rushing, an accomplished T-6 racing pilot who earned a Professional Aeronautics degree at Embry-Riddle Worldwide in 1999. Established by the Si Robin Foundation, the scholarship honors Rushing’s legacy following his death after the 2023 Reno Air Races while supporting the next generation of professional pilots.

“The Si Robin Foundation is proud to select and honor Cassidy Blackwood as the first recipient of the Christopher P. Rushing Memorial Scholarship,” said Lori Vreeke, executive director of the Si Robin Foundation. “She exemplifies not only the strength and determination but also the heart and passion it takes to become an influential member of the aviation community.”

Drawn to Aviation

Blackwood carved her own path into aviation. Raised in Redwood City, California, she discovered the field without family ties to the industry. Instead, she was thrilled by airshows, aviation museums and the view from above.

“Flying captivated me,” she said.

Her first hands-on experience came in 2023, when she began working as a fleet cleaner at San Carlos Flight Center. Using her earnings to pay for ground school and introductory flights, she earned her private pilot certificate in 2024 between her junior and senior years of high school.

“Eventually, my goals shifted from flying myself for fun to seeing myself as a pilot for a career,” she said. “From the moment I learned of Embry-Riddle, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”

Blackwood’s discipline and pace stand out even among high-achieving students, said Parker Northrup, chair of the Flight Department at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus.

“Cassidy knocked her first semester out of the park,” he said. “She was selected because our committee felt she was the top applicant.”

Charting a Course for Future Recipients

Now enrolled in commercial ground school, Blackwood plans to build on her first-semester momentum.

“My biggest key to success during instrument training was working with my instructor to set clear target dates,” she said. “I’ve done the same with my commercial instructor.”

She intends to pursue flight instructor certifications followed by multi-engine training. She is also engaged in student organizations, including Women in Aviation and the Aviation Business Networking Club, where she serves as a mentee paired with a professional pilot and Embry-Riddle alum.

Vreeke said Blackwood’s discipline and sense of responsibility reflect the same drive that defined Rushing’s life and career.

“Christopher P. Rushing was not only an elite pilot, but also displayed a great enthusiasm for aviation and its advancement, pushing himself to great achievements throughout his life,” she said. “As someone who demonstrates the same qualities, it is only fitting that Cassidy receives this scholarship in his memory. We are confident that her strong passion for aviation will lead her to a successful and exciting career in aviation.”