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The Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR) will soon send upwards of 100 balloons into the morning skies. The only balloon with exclusive permission to launch away from the festival’s Rancho San Rafael Regional Park location, happens to be the University - from which Winter’s Breeze, a stunning blue and white hot air balloon piloted by Sheldon Grauberger, will lift off from the University's quad. But the festival has done so much more than captivate spectators and decorate morning skies. For more than 30 years, the festival’s scholarship program has quietly been working behind the scenes to uplift and inspire. 

Winter's Breeze. Courtesy of The Great Reno Balloon Race.

Among its various community engagement initiatives, The Great Reno Balloon Race’s scholarship program stands out as a beacon of support for aspiring minds in the fields of engineering and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Ginnie Kersey, GRBR board member and University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno emerita, worked directly with then-president Joe Crowley and was instrumental in bringing the University in as a founding sponsor of GRBR. In 1986, the Balloon Race Scholarship Committee was formed to raise money to fund scholarships for University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno students. The first scholarship was awarded in the early 1990’s for $500 to one lucky student and eventually increased to two (one undergraduate and one graduate), $2000 scholarships. In recent years the committee has raised enough money to award four (two undergraduate and two graduate) $2000 scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. More than 70 students have received this award since the committee began awarding scholarships and encouraging them to reach new heights in their academic and professional journeys.

It’s exciting we have been able to increase the amount of the scholarship awarded over the years and, most recently, increase the number of students receiving the scholarship,” said Sariah Tillotson, co-chair for The Great Reno Balloon Race Scholarship Committee and assistant registrar, graduation services, at the University.

The scholarship program is a reflection of The Great Reno Balloon Race’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. By offering these scholarships, the nonprofit organization not only provides financial assistance but also sends a powerful message about the importance of investing in the future of STEM. The recipients of these scholarships are not limited to those enrolled in engineering programs; rather, the program is designed to support any student with a passion for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, regardless of their specific academic path.

“We are proud to be members of the University Balloon Race Scholarship Committee as we continue the legacy of awarding scholarships to students attending the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno,” said Desi Tillman, co-chair for The Great Reno Balloon Race Scholarship Committee and business analyst at the University. 

While this initiative is more sophisticated, it parallels other educational efforts driven by The Great Reno Balloon Race, including its annual tissue paper hot air balloon launch conducted annually with Washoe County School District fifth graders. Fifth graders across the county work in groups of three to construct their own hot air balloon, built from tissue paper, leveraging tenets of team building, trial and error and a host of engineering and scientific concepts. 

“The Great Reno Balloon Race is proud of its efforts to inspire the next generation of dreamers, inventors and, of course, aviators,” said Pete Copeland, executive director at The Great Reno Balloon Race. “Just as the tissue paper balloon launch inspires young students to explore the principles of flight and engineering, the scholarship program empowers older students to delve deeper into their studies and ultimately contribute to advancements in STEM fields.”

By supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education, The Great Reno Balloon Race and its myriad supporters contribute to a broader effort to continue advancing technology and innovation.  

These scholarship recipients are poised to become the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists who will tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Through its commitment to education and community engagement, The Great Reno Balloon Race works to pass the spirit of discovery and innovation to the next generation, helping to create a brighter future for all.

ÁùºÏ±¦µä The Great Reno Balloon Race

The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot air ballooning event. Held annually in Reno, ÁùºÏ±¦µä, since 1982, the event has grown from just 20 balloons to upwards of 100, attracting ballooning enthusiasts and spectators from around the world. The GRBR is a beloved tradition, known for its spectacular balloon displays, vibrant community spirit, and commitment to providing a free, family-friendly event for all to enjoy.