Author: huntgrav

2026 Gala

October 16, 2026 • Fort Worth, Texas

5th Annual
Black Tie & Boots Gala

River Ranch Stockyards • 6:00 PM

Tickets are officially on sale for the 5th Annual Black Tie & Boots Gala. Join us October 16 at 6 PM at River Ranch Stockyards for an unforgettable evening of remembrance, scholarship, and impact benefiting the CloudDancer Scholarship Foundation.

Whether you’re attending the gala or donating to support our mission, every contribution helps us continue changing lives through aviation scholarships and opportunities. Secure your tickets now, or donate to support the cause.

Together, we honor Ashton’s legacy while helping future aviators pursue their dreams.

What to Expect

The Black Tie & Boots Gala is the CloudDancer Scholarship’s flagship fundraising event and the single biggest night of the year for our mission. What started in 2022 as a gathering of 150 supporters at the CR Smith Museum has grown into one of the premier veteran-focused aviation charity events in the Southwest, raising over $660,000 across four galas to date.

This year’s event returns to River Ranch Stockyards in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards, the same venue that hosted last year’s record-setting $234,000 evening. Expect a seated dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind experiences, keynote speakers from the military aviation community, and live entertainment throughout the night.

The highlight of every gala is the scholarship recipient announcement and the CloudDancer challenge coin ceremony — a deeply meaningful tradition where new recipients receive their coin alongside previous scholars, connecting generations of military aviators who have earned their wings through this program.

2026 Scholarship Commitment

Funds raised at this year’s gala directly support the 2026 scholarship class — our largest commitment yet. This year, we’re awarding 10 scholarships totaling $112,500 across two tracks:

Pilot Scholarships — Five awards of $17,500 each, disbursed at key milestones from first solo through check ride completion. These scholarships fund Zero-Time-to-Airline pilot training for veterans who have served our country and dream of flying.

AMT Scholarships — Five awards of $5,000 each, supporting Aviation Maintenance Technician certification. New for 2026, this track opens the door for veterans pursuing the technical side of aviation. Recipients who enroll at Thrust Institute of Maintenance may receive up to $10,000 in additional support.

Since its founding in 2021, the Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship has raised over $675,000 and awarded scholarships to more than 20 military-connected aviators. Every ticket purchased and every dollar donated at the gala goes directly toward continuing that mission.

Be Part of the Mission

Whether you join us at River Ranch or support from afar, your generosity puts veterans in the cockpit. Tickets, tables, and donations are all available through our event page.

Get Tickets & Support the Mission

May 21, 2026
2026 CloudDancer Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

Now Accepting Applications

2026 CloudDancer Scholarship Applications Are Open

Pilot and AMT Scholarships for U.S. Military Veterans

The CloudDancer Scholarship is officially accepting applications for 2026. If you’re a U.S. military veteran ready to launch your career in aviation, this is your moment.

Two Paths to the Sky

The Ashton Johnson Memorial Scholarship offers training scholarships to veterans who demonstrate honorable service, strong character, and a clear commitment to earning their certification. This year, we’re awarding scholarships across two tracks.

Pilot Scholarship — $17,500

Our flagship scholarship awards up to $17,500 toward Private Pilot certification, distributed at key milestones: $5,000 upon selection, $5,000 at first solo, $5,000 at solo cross-country, and $2,500 at checkride completion. Every dollar follows progress — because we invest in veterans who show up and do the work.

AMT Scholarship — $5,000 (New for 2026)

Brand new this year, the AMT track supports veterans pursuing Aviation Maintenance Technician certification. Through our partnership with the Thrust Institute of Maintenance, qualifying AMT recipients who enroll in TIM programs receive an additional $5,000, bringing their total award to $10,000.

Key Dates

Applications close 60 days after opening. Scholarship selections will be announced no later than October 1, 2026. Don’t wait — the window is open now.

Your Mission Continues

Apply for the 2026 CloudDancer Scholarship

Whether you’re drawn to the cockpit or the maintenance hangar, CloudDancer is here to help you get there. Apply today and take the next step in your aviation career.

Apply Now

May 1, 2026
Crawfish Fly-In 2026 — One for the Books

Event Recap — April 11, 2026

Crawfish Fly-In 2026 — One for the Books

Crawfish, Airplanes, and a Whole Lot of Purpose

The 2026 Crawfish Boil Fly-In brought the aviation community together for an incredible day of food, flying, and fundraising — all in support of veterans pursuing careers in aviation.

An Incredible Turnout

The energy was unforgettable, and the turnout spoke for itself. Pilots flew in from across the region, families filled the ramp, and every plate of crawfish served went toward funding scholarships for veterans. This is what community in aviation looks like.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and vendors: Thrust Flight, ATP Flight School, US Aviation, Spartan Aviation, Four Winds Aviation, Fort Worth Flight School, Time Travel Flight, Bird Dog Aviation, NTX FAA Safety Team, Go Fly Texas, and Greatest Generation Aircraft — who brought their iconic DC-3.

A special thanks to the USA Cheerleaders, Funky Munky Shaved Ice, Steel Hope Lemonade & Popcorn, and Sugar Crow’s custom baked goods for keeping the energy high all day long.

Co-Hosted with Heart

A huge thank you to the Vintage Flying Museum and Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau for co-hosting this event with us, and to all the dedicated volunteers who keep everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. We appreciate you more than you know.

Join the Mission

Help Us Send More Veterans to the Sky

Events like the Crawfish Fly-In make our scholarship possible. Your donation goes directly toward helping veterans earn their wings — whether in the cockpit or on the maintenance floor.

Donate Now

April 4, 2026
CloudDancer Volunteers Take to the Skies with Halo for Freedom

Community Spotlight

CloudDancer Volunteers Take to the Skies with Halo for Freedom

Stearman Rides, Wrench-Turning, and Giving Back Through Aviation

When you believe in the power of aviation to change lives, you show up — not just for your own mission, but for the people fighting alongside you. That’s exactly what CloudDancer volunteers did last week when they joined forces with the Halo for Freedom Warrior Foundation.

Wings for Warriors

CloudDancer volunteers spent a full week in the skies supporting Halo for Freedom Warrior — a brother foundation dedicated to honoring and serving America’s combat veterans. Our team flew Stearman biplanes, turned wrenches on the flight line, and helped keep the rides running smoothly for warriors and their guests.

There’s something about the open cockpit of a Stearman that strips away everything else. For the veterans who climbed in, it was a chance to feel the wind and the freedom that aviation delivers like nothing else can. For our volunteers, it was a reminder of why CloudDancer exists — to connect people to the sky and to each other.

Stronger Together

CloudDancer and Halo for Freedom share a common thread — a deep belief that veterans deserve more than a handshake and a thank-you. They deserve real opportunities and experiences that honor their service. Partnerships like this one amplify what both organizations can do, and our volunteers were proud to be part of something bigger.

Moments like these are what drive the CloudDancer mission forward. Whether it’s funding a veteran’s flight training or putting warriors in the front seat of a biplane, it all comes back to the same thing — giving back through aviation.

Join the Mission

Help Veterans Reach the Cockpit

Every dollar donated to CloudDancer goes directly toward funding flight training scholarships for veterans. Whether it’s a private pilot certificate or an A&P mechanic license, your support puts dreams on the runway.

Support CloudDancer

March 18, 2026
CloudDancer Expands for 2026 — Now Awarding Scholarships for Pilots and Aviation Maintenance Technicians

2026 Announcement

CloudDancer Expands for 2026

Now Awarding Scholarships for Pilots & Aviation Maintenance Technicians

More scholarships. More paths. More veterans in the sky. Thanks to tremendous community support and continued growth, CloudDancer is expanding its 2026 program to include aviation maintenance professionals for the first time.

Two Tracks, Ten Awards

Aviation Scholarship — 5 awards at $17,500 each
Designed for veterans pursuing their Private Pilot Certificate — the critical first step the GI Bill doesn’t cover. Funding is released at key milestones: $5,000 upon selection, $5,000 at first solo, $5,000 at solo cross-country, and $2,500 at checkride completion.

AMT Scholarship — 5 awards at $5,000 each
Brand new for 2026 — supporting veterans pursuing Aviation Maintenance Technician certification. AMT recipients who enroll in qualifying programs at Thrust Institute of Maintenance may be eligible for up to $10,000 in additional training support through the institute’s partnership with CloudDancer.

Why This Expansion Matters

The aviation industry needs more than pilots. Boeing’s latest Pilot and Technician Outlook projects a global need for hundreds of thousands of new maintenance technicians over the next two decades. Veterans have the discipline, technical aptitude, and mission-driven mindset that make them ideal candidates — but the financial barriers are just as real on the maintenance side as they are in the cockpit.

$112,500 Committed for 2026

Since 2021, CloudDancer has raised over $675,000 and funded scholarships for veterans across multiple branches of service. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to honoring Ashton’s legacy by removing barriers and creating opportunity.

Apply Now

February 12, 2026
From Scholarship Recipient to Air Force Pilot Select — Alex Foster’s CloudDancer Journey

Recipient Spotlight

From Scholarship Recipient to Air Force Pilot Select

Alex Foster · Class of 2023

When Alex Foster received the 2023 CloudDancer Scholarship, he had a goal. Now, he’s on his way to achieving it — selected as an Air Force pilot, one of the most competitive selections in military aviation.

A Dream Backed by Action

Alex came to CloudDancer the way many recipients do — a veteran with a deep passion for aviation and the talent to back it up, but facing the financial gap that holds so many back. The GI Bill covers a portion of flight training, but becoming a professional pilot requires tens of thousands of dollars beyond what benefits provide.

CloudDancer’s scholarship helped Alex earn critical ratings and build the flight hours needed to advance his career. But it wasn’t just the funding — it was the mentorship, the community, and the accountability that comes with being part of the CloudDancer family.

From Scholarship to Selection

Alex used his CloudDancer funding strategically, stacking ratings and logging hours while continuing to serve. His discipline, combined with the financial support from CloudDancer, put him in a position to earn one of the most competitive selections in military aviation. Being chosen as an Air Force pilot select means Alex will go on to fly some of the most advanced aircraft in the world — a trajectory that started with a scholarship and a belief that veterans deserve a clear path to the cockpit.

Why This Story Matters

In the CloudDancer family, talent doesn’t stay grounded. Alex’s story is proof that when you remove the financial barriers and surround a veteran with the right support, the results speak for themselves.

CloudDancer is awarding 10 scholarships in 2026 — five for pilots ($17,500 each) and five for aviation maintenance technicians ($5,000 each).

Apply for 2026 Scholarship

December 19, 2025
2023 Gala

2nd Annual

Black Tie & Boots 2023

October 2023 · Austin Ranch, Trophy Club, TX

The CloudDancer Gala 2023 proved the inaugural year wasn’t a fluke. The 2023 Black Tie & Boots Gala brought the CloudDancer community back to the dance floor with a bigger crowd, a louder auction, and a night that made clear — this organization had found its footing.

Austin Ranch in Trophy Club set the stage — a Texas Hill Country backdrop that felt like the right place for a room full of veterans, aviators, and supporters who believe a uniform earns the right to fly. Boots were polished, hats were tipped, and the evening unfolded exactly the way Joe Johnson envisioned when he founded this organization: a genuine Texas celebration of service, sacrifice, and second chapters.

The Auction

The silent auction opened the evening as guests worked the room, eyeing lots that ranged from authentic Western gear to aviation experiences. When the live auction kicked off, paddles came up fast. Sponsors including American Hat Company, Twisted X, Morris Boot Company, Skydive Dallas, and Vintage Flight Museum contributed items that made every round competitive. The auctioneer kept the energy high and the bidders kept pace.

This scholarship was created to bridge the gap the GI Bill leaves behind. A veteran shouldn’t have to choose between serving their country and affording to fly.
Joe Johnson, Founder — Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship

Texas Through and Through

The details are what make a gala a gala. Boot shining stations. A puppy in the auction lineup that drew the loudest bids of the night. Clydesdales outside. Mounted patrol. Joey on guitar. Every corner of the evening felt designed — not like a fundraiser, but like a celebration that happened to raise a lot of money for a cause worth celebrating.

2023 Scholarship Recipient

The presentation of the 2023 scholarship is the moment the entire evening builds toward. A veteran who served with honor, cleared a medical, and committed to the cockpit — standing in a room full of people who believe the sky belongs to them too. James Halepaska was among those recognized this year, his path to aviation made possible by a community that refused to let the GI Bill gap be the end of the story.

James Halepaska — 2023 Recipient

2023 CloudDancer Scholarship Recipients:

McKinley Ritchie

James Halepaska

Alex Foster

Brett Bowser

Mike Neeley

Tyler Webb

$174,000 Raised

The 2023 Black Tie & Boots Gala raised over $174,000 for the CloudDancer Scholarship mission.

The Gallery

Two galas in, the pattern was set: a Texas venue, a live auction that punches above its weight, a scholarship presentation that stops the room, and a community that keeps coming back. Year three would be at the River Ranch Stockyards — and it would sell out.

The 2023 Black Tie & Boots Challenge Coin

The CloudDancer Gala 2023 Mission Continues

Each year this community shows up bigger and gives harder. If you believe veterans deserve a seat in the cockpit, there’s a place for you — as a donor, a sponsor, or a future recipient.

Support the Mission

Apply for a Scholarship

October 1, 2023
2022 Gala

Inaugural

Black Tie & Boots 2022

October 15, 2022 · CR Smith Museum, Fort Worth, TX

Before the tradition had a name, before sold-out signs went up, before the auction paddles became a ritual — there was the first one. On October 15, 2022, the Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship hosted its inaugural Black Tie & Boots Gala at the CR Smith Museum in Fort Worth, and proved that a community built around one man’s legacy could fill a room, open wallets, and launch a mission that would outlast the evening.

The venue sold out. Military dignitaries, aviation leaders, and supporters from across Texas filled the museum — Lt. General Steven Polk (USAF, Ret.), FAA Chief of Staff Michael Davis, Parker County Attorney John Forrest, and Kevin Lacy among them. The CR Smith Museum, home to the historic Flagship DC-3, gave the evening a backdrop that felt fitting for a scholarship built around flight.

The Evening

A uniformed Coast Guard member greeted guests at the door and escorted them to the red carpet — a paparazzi-style entrance that set the tone for the night. Every attendee received a challenge coin, the first in what would become a tradition marking each year of the gala. A social hour with an open bar gave the room a chance to mix, bid on silent auction items, and take photos on the DC-3.

Dinner was a three-course meal prepared by FarmHouse Catering of Dallas. The entertainment lineup featured comedian Ryan Perrio, a video tribute to Ashton Johnson, and an original performance by Alexis Spaulding that brought the room to its feet. Captain Neil Raaz announced the scholarship recipients, reading a short bio on each — the first veterans to receive the CloudDancer Scholarship and begin their path to the cockpit.

We didn’t know if anyone would show up. What we found out is that Ashton’s story — and the mission behind it — resonated with people in a way we couldn’t have predicted.
Joe Johnson, Founder — Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship

The Auction

Lt. General Steven Polk delivered the keynote speech — a reflection on service, sacrifice, and the obligation to lift up those who have served. Then Colonel Pete Setian took the stage for the live auction. Vacation packages to Cancun, private jet charters, custom handmade boots — the lots kept climbing, and the paddles kept rising. DJ Rudy Duron closed the evening with music, drinks, and dancing that carried the night to its finish.

$62,000 Raised

When the night was over, the inaugural gala had raised more than $62,000 for the foundation — a number that exceeded every expectation. It was a testament to the reach of Ashton Johnson’s life: the sheer number of people he had touched, both during his time in uniform and after. The community that gathered that night wasn’t just generous — it was personal. They came because Ashton’s story meant something to them, and because the mission of putting veterans in the cockpit was worth backing.

2022 Scholarship Recipients

The inaugural class of CloudDancer Scholarship recipients — four veterans beginning their journey toward becoming professional pilots.

Caitlin Lacomb

Alexander Taylor

Michael Moore

William Francis

The Gallery

What started as a question — can we actually pull this off? — became the answer. The 2022 gala wasn’t just a fundraiser. It was the proof of concept for everything the CloudDancer Scholarship would become: a community that shows up, a mission that resonates, and a legacy that keeps Ashton’s name in the sky.

Where It All Began

The inaugural gala set the foundation — not just financially, but culturally. It established the Black Tie & Boots identity, the challenge coin tradition, and the Texas-sized hospitality that would define every year that followed. Year two would move to Austin Ranch. Year three to the River Ranch Stockyards, where it would sell out before the doors opened. But it all started here, in a museum built around flight, for a scholarship built around a veteran who never stopped chasing it.

Read About the 2023 Gala →

October 15, 2022