At the SSA Awards Banquet that concluded the 2012 SSA convention on Saturday, February 4th, SSA Chairman Al Tyler announced that Jim and Simine Short are the 2012 recipients of the Warren E. Eaton Trophy and presented them with a plaque representing the trophy, which resides at the National Soaring Museum in Elmira, New York.
Jim & Simine Short Receiving Eaton Trophy Award from SSA Chairman Al Tyler
The Eaton Trophy is named after Warren E. Eaton, founder of the SSA. This trophy is the SSA’s highest award. The trophy is perpetually awarded each year to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the art, sport, or science of soaring flight in the United States. The artist, Sally James Farnham, was awarded this commission in 1939 by Genevieve Eaton, widow of Warren E. Eaton. She wished to establish such an award to honor the memory of her husband. Eaton died in a glider accident on December 1, 1934. Farnham created a strong and truly elegant trophy depicting in bas relief ascending clouds above which Eaton’s plane, Falcon, can be seen soaring.
Warren E. Eaton Memorial Soaring Trophy, silver, 1939
Jim and Simine are long-time SSA volunteers, who have worked tirelessly for decades to promote the sport and support the SSA. Jim is a former SSA Chairman, Region 7 Director, Government Liaison Chair, Business Members Committee Chair and SSA Convention Chair. He is currently President of the Vintage Sailplane Association.
Jim and Simine organized and led the SOARING100 celebration at Jockey’s Ridge and the Wright Brothers Memorial, NC. Jim chaired the event for the 2-1/2 years that culminated in its finale on October 24 2011. He flies a Discus 2C and a Schweizer 1-21 and tows and instructs for the Wabash Valley Soaring Association and the Windy City Soaring Association.
Simine has an abiding interest in soaring history and has been involved in growing and promoting the Vintage Sailplane Association. She is a volunteer for the National Soaring Museum and serves as Chair for the National Landmark of Soaring program. Last year, her book on Octave Chanute was published. Chanute was a 19th Century pioneer in gliding flight in the U. S., and was also a brilliant civil and locomotive engineer.
The SSA Web site contains a complete list of Eaton Trophy recipients,
The Soaring Café congratulates Jim and Simine on receiving this award!
Jim and Simine Short at the Vintage Sailplane Association Booth in the Exhibit Hall
