One person will be able to get a bird's-eye view of Athens given by an Ohio University aviation student.
Alpha Eta Rho, the aviation fraternity, is raising money to go to an aviation conference in Georgia by selling raffle tickets. Those who purchase tickets will be entered into a drawing to win a flight over Athens. Only one name will be drawn.
The flight is valued at $250, but people interested can purchase one raffle ticket for $1 or six for $5. The fraternity is hoping to raise $1,000 so they can attend the conference, Rebecca Sedlak, the president of Alpha Eta Rho, said. So far, they have raised about $250 — enough to cover the cost of the flight.
“We’re trying to earn money (through) funding, but we also want people interested in flight,” Sedlak, a junior studying aviation flight and flight management, said. “A lot of people don’t know about the aviation program, so we want more people to know about it and just get interested in flight.”
Sean Clunn, a freshman studying aviation, said most people who come up to the table seem “apprehensive” and curious about what is going on.
Sedlak said a lot of professors have approached the table to enter the drawing.
Sedlak said the fraternity had not been able to go to the conference the last two years. Her goal, she added, is to have all 30 members attend the conference.
“I want the freshmen to go to experience it,” she said. “I want them to be flabbergasted when they go in, not knowing what they’re doing because it’s a great eye-opening (experience).”
At the conference, students will be able to network and meet people in the industry. Sedlak said going to the conference is important because they will learn more about the field they are hoping to enter after college.
Ryan Soltis, a freshman studying aviation flight, said going to the conference will help fraternity members find jobs.
“(It’s a good way to) get our name out there to find interviews and meet people in aviation,” Soltis said.
The fraternity was scheduled to end fundraising Oct. 16, but with how successful the experience has been, Sedlak wants to continue up until Halloween and Dads Weekend, she said.
Sedlak said she hopes the fundraiser will bring some recognition to the aviation program.
“I just want people to see what I see almost,” she said. “To get a different perspective of Athens.”
Anna DeGarmo, a sophomore studying environmental geography and pre-law, said she flies frequently, but on larger, commercial planes. She added that flying in a smaller passenger plane would be a cool experience because she loves to fly.
“Being able to see Athens from up high rather than on the ground would be cool,” DeGarmo said. “It would make you realize how small you really are.”
