CLAUDE R. PLATTE DALLAS/FORT WORTH TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHAPTER
2015 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BOOK STIPEND
At 7-years-old, Claude R. Platte packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a bell jar of lemonade to
take on his journey to Meacham Field to watch the airplanes fly. He had already told his father he wanted
to fly an airplane so he could see how people lived outside of a segregated area. When his father told
him ‘they don’t let Negroes fly planes’, young Claude said ‘I don’t care, that’s what I want to be’. That is
exactly what he did!
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in aeronautics at Tuskegee
University where he worked as an assistant to George Washington Carver. He earned his private pilot’s
license August 1941 and became a civilian instructor training more than 900 black pilots who flew combat
and escort missions during WWII. He dedicated his life to encourage youth to know through education
and tenacity; anything is possible regardless of your income or race. Mrs. Erma Bonner-Platte believes
education opens the doors of opportunity to a better way in life. It is important to her that education is
made available to all youth regardless of race, creed or national origin.
At the end of Captain Platte’s presentations, he always said this to his young audiences what all
Tuskegee Airmen teach:
“Remember when your Tuskegee moment comes, we want you to be ready.”
All the Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen of the Claude R. Platte DFW Chapter believe education is
one of the greatest keys to achieving life goals. This book stipend opportunity is purposed to help high
school graduates to be reach for their Tuskegee moments.
ESSAY THEME:
What lessons and ethics from the 477th Bombardment Group will you take
forward to educate and empower the present and future generations and why?
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CLAUDE R. PLATTE DALLAS/FORT WORTH TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHAPTER
2015 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BOOK STIPEND APPLICATION
NAME: _____________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________
CITY, ST, ZIP: ________________________________________________________________
HOME TELEPHONE: (______) ______________________
MOBILE: (______) ___________________________
EMAIL: ___________________________________
MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN NAME(S):
COLLEGE TO BE ATTENDED: _________________________________________________
COLLEGE MAJOR: __________________________________________________________
Please tell us how you found out about our Educational Assistance Book Stipend?
Family, Friend, Internet, School Counselor, etc.
List of extracurricular and volunteer activities involved in during senior year, to include the
date, duration and positions held.
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PURPOSE
Claude R Platte DFW Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Educational Assistance Book Stipend
Awards are available on a competitive basis to graduating high school students.
AWARD
Four (4) awards will be given and selected by the Claude R Platte Dallas/Fort Worth Tuskegee
Airmen Chapter Educational Assistance Committee. Awards will be for the amount
of $500. Awards will be direct deposited to the books store of recipient(s) selected college.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applications are only accepted through electronic submission to
crplattebookstipend@hotmail.com.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
Due to the volume of applicants, any student(s) who has been awarded the Book Stipend
in the past may not apply again.
DEADLINE DATE:
June 13, 2015
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
• 2015 high school graduate
• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• Student within Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and contiguous county independent school
districts
• Enrolling a minimum of nine (9) credit hours in Summer/Fall 2015 semester
SUBMISSION PACKET REQUIREMENTS
1. Proof of college acceptance
2. Letter of recommendation
3. High school transcript
4. Essay addressing theme (between 350 – 500 words, filler words unacceptable)
5. Completed stipend application
NOTE: Application packages received after the deadline and/or with missing documents will
be disqualified from consideration for the stipend award.
Award recipients will be awarded at the Claude R Platte D/FW Tuskegee Airmen Chapter July
18, 2015 at the Commemorative Celebration Event.
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