PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

Contact:  Alice Rice

05/28/01                                                                                  281-334-5932

 SPECIAL AWARDS GIVEN BY AWAM 

At the March Women in Aviation (WIA) conference the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) presented for the first time three new and special awards. 

Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year awards were presented at a Student Reception prior to the  conference opening.  Teacher of the Year was Mary Ann Eiff, an educator involved in aviation maintenance education from recruitment to teaching.  This award henceforth will be named the Mary Ann Eiff Teacher of the Year. 

Lindsey Howe, a student at Blackhawk Technical College (MI) was named Student of the Year. 

The third award “Beyond All Odds” was presented for the first time to Heidi Helfrich.  Ms. Helfrich , a single mother on social service overcame many obstacles to get her Airframe and Powerplant license.  She is now employed by Robinson Helicopter. 

Robin Lamar, President of AWAM, remarked that, "Being able to present such awards makes AWAM a special and caring organization.” 

These awards will be presented annually from nominations received from the membership. 

AWAM is a four year old organization whose mission is to provide support and to champion women’s professional growth in aviation maintenance/technology.  This is accomplished through education, scholarships, networking and informational publications.   For more information, call 386-424-5780 or visit us at www.awam.org. 

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