Tuskegee Airmen Tuition Assistance Awards Gala

By Jennifer L. Warren

WAPPINGERS FALLS – All eyes were intently glued on the indelible, symbolic image in the front of the reception room, inside the Villa Borghese, Saturday night.

Six African-American men, clad in olive-hued World War II aviation attire were kneeling down, each one with hands placed upon another’s shoulders, providing immeasurable comfort and hope in the face of relentless adversity, while merging into one-familial unit. The vision, delivered by an off-Broadway performance of “Black Angels Over Tuskegee,” encapsulated the powerful, tangible testament to the revered, inspiring qualities the Tuskegee Airmen possessed as well as their enduring legacy.

Harold Rayford of Newburgh Zion Lions, received the chapter’s Mentor Award. from Duane Ware during the 27th Annual Tuition Assistance Awards Celebration of the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen that was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
Harold Rayford of Newburgh Zion Lions, received the chapter’s Mentor Award from Duane Ware during the 27th Annual Tuition Assistance Awards Celebration of the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen that was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Included among the several segments of Saturday’s Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 27th Annual Tuition Assistance Award Celebration, the riveting drama segment brought to life the catalyst behind the local Chapter’s birth in 1998 along with its critical, ongoing need, continued impressive accomplishments, and growing evolution. Guided by the memory of the courage “that can crush obstacles,” tenacity and unbreakable spirits of the men and women who served in the Army Air Corp at Tuskegee, Alabama in the 1940’s, the Chapter, which includes the Lee A. Archer Red Tails Flying Program, Red Tail Flight Academy, Newburgh Armory Programs, Summer Camps and much more, is laser focused upon delivering diversity and opportunities in flight instruction to individuals from all backgrounds.

“We are now providing programs for cradle to careers and are a multifaceted organization, explained Glen Fraser, Board President, who also added the Chapter has provided over 8000 hours of volunteer mentoring this year. “We are not planning on stopping in our growth; the Tuskegee Airmen are worth the fight, and I will keep on fighting for them, and we will continue to stand for a long time.”

Father Mark Connell received the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Leadership Award on behalf of San Miguel Academy from Duane Wared during the 27th Annual Tuition Assistance Awards Celebration of the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen that was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
Father Mark Connell received the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Leadership Award on behalf of San Miguel Academy from Duane Wared during the 27th Annual Tuition Assistance Awards Celebration of the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen that was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

That passion for and commitment to the longevity of this Chapter’s work is evident in the countless student lives it impacts. Saturday, nine local high school seniors were recognized for their dedication to keeping the historically-rich Tuskegee Airmen’s mission, laden with lessons of grit, strength, fairness and diversity, alight with Airmen Endowment Scholarships. That mission was at the forefront during the evening’s celebration as it carried the theme, “The Tuskegee Airmen legacy provides a bright light for our youth.”

“I have the deepest gratitude to those who paved the way for our success; this program has grown into so much since I started in it four years ago,” said Class Commander and Scholarship recipient, Abigail Fontana. “What makes this program so special is not just the technical knowledge, but its ability to develop leaders; we are truly a family who uplift one another, and now I look forward to having the opportunity to pass on those lessons I’ve learned.” Fontana added, “Let us continue to honor the past and soar to the future.”

To date having provided over $350,000 in scholarship monies to more than 330 students, the Chapter’s future continues to take flight and look bright. In addition to Fontana, 2025 recipients included; Tyler Cloidt (Minisink Valley High School), Salome Vergara (Poughkeepsie High School), Madison Kiley (New Paltz High School), Joshua Meekins (Cornwall High School), Cole Garvey (Newburgh Free Academy), Hannah Johnson (Fallsburg High School), Quillar Baidy (Middletown High School) and Mahogany Jean-Charles (Poughkeepsie High School.) Many will continue their higher education, pursuing an aviation career, another testament to the effectiveness of Chapter’s programs.

An Off-Broadway performance of “Black Angels Over Tuskegee” was the highlight a night of festivities at the 27th Annual Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Tuition Assistance Gala on February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
An Off-Broadway performance of “Black Angels Over Tuskegee” was the highlight a night of festivities at the 27th Annual Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Tuition Assistance Gala on February 1, 2025. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Also honored during the celebration were two community members for their unwavering dedication to the youth: Father Mark Connell, who received the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Leadership Award on behalf of San Miguel Academy and Harold Rayford who earned the Chapter’s Mentor Award for his dedicated efforts with the Newburgh Zion Lions and the Newburgh, All City Wide Youth Basketball League.

“We have to invest in our children,” affirmed Rayford, who insisted upon sharing the award with his wife who he credited for so much of what he is able to do 12 hours a day. “Ninety percent of my kids in my programs have no father; I am that for them and my wife is their mother and we do whatever we can to give them what they need, on and off the court.”

That child-centered focus, the theme of the evening, an impetus for so much that the 42nd Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen National Organization aspires to, rippled throughout the event and served as a chief part of the remarks delivered by City of Poughkeepsie Mayor, Yvonne Flowers.

“Events like this give me motivation and inspiration to do my job, as they bring us all together when so much is dividing us,” said Flowers, attending the event that strongly impacted her, for the first time. “Our Tuskegee Airmen were determined and resilient, set on showing our children a level of excellence, and that is something we need to be doing with our youth today.”
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