A big congratulations to Virginia Fogleman, who was recently awarded the 2025 Cousin Itt training award at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport.
Sponsored by Thrill of the First Flight and facilitated by Savannah Aviation, the Cousin Itt Award supports high school students who show exceptional dedication to aviation and strong academic potential.
The award has deep roots in the Savannah community and is named in honor of Matt Marshburn—known as “Cousin Itt” (1967–2022)—a U.S. military veteran and respected aviation professional whose lifelong passion for flight continues to inspire youth.
Members of the local community, friends, and supporters, which included members from Windsor Forest High School and SCCPS, gathered to celebrate the award hosted at Savannah Aviation.
Thrill of the First Flight is proud to partner with Savannah Aviation who will provide high-quality instruction and aviation mentorship from certified flight instructors. Savannah Aviation is an active supporter of youth outreach and aviation education, making it an ideal partner for the program. "At Savannah Aviation we believe everyone should have an opportunity to experience and pursue their interest in aviation, which is why we have proudly partnered with Thrill of the First Flight. By providing opportunities that couldn't otherwise be realized, we are joyfully investing in our community and the futures of many fellow aviators." Mike Awad, Savannah Aviation.
The grant is part of Thrill of the First Flight's ongoing effort to support local communities, aviation education and open doors for the next generation of aviators.
Congratulations, Virginia! We’re excited to see you reach for the skies!
To learn more about Thrill of the First Flight and Cousin Itt, visit: https://www.firstflightga.org/. Interested in flight training? Visit Savannah Aviation at https://www.savannahaviation.com/.
