At her first-ever Southeast Section Meeting, new Ninety-Nines member and Nashville Chapter member Natalia experienced firsthand the camaraderie, fellowship, and enthusiasm that make our organization so special. As a member of the hosting Chapter, Natalia went above and beyond to help make attendees feel welcome, preparing delicious homemade hot sauce and custom 99s tags for members to take home. We are especially grateful that she took the time to share her perspective as a new member and student pilot. Her reflections are a wonderful reminder of the value of welcoming fresh faces and perspectives into our organization. We hope you enjoy hearing about her first Section Meeting experience!
The attention to detail was inspiring, but the community and friendships we built made the experience unforgettable. That was my impression of my first-ever Ninety-Nine’s Sectional Meeting...
On September 24th-27th, 2026, Nashville Chapter welcomed valuable members (and even some 49-1/2s) from the surrounding Southeast Section to participate in a weekend of fun activities, aviation-related, of course.
As a new member of the 99s and a new student pilot (I just became one in May of this year), I was excited for my first meeting to happen right here in my hometown! I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the organization and contribute.
In attending the Saturday meeting, we began by calling the meeting to order. We went over various topics, including scholarships, upcoming races and events, and ways to give back by flying for a purpose. I was blown away by all that went into the meticulous planning and budgeting, showcasing the organization’s efficiency. It is no secret that these projects the 99s lead better the aviation community, and they are taken on by these aviatrix with pride.
After the meeting was adjourned, we went outside to take a group photo. It was a beautiful sunny day, not too hot, perfect flying weather. Everyone mingled, and that’s when the magic happened.
I had wonderful conversations with Madeleine Monaco and Mary Woody, among others, who gave me the inside scoop on being successful in scholarship applications. I learned about the upcoming First Wings Scholarship Award that was set to close within that week, allowing me just enough time to apply! I wouldn’t have known about it without their help.
Afterwards, there was a ceremony dedicated to honoring not one, but TWO recipients of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. My first time seeing one awarded. Congratulations to Janice Pelletti and Patrick Pelletti for their contributions to aviation, and 50+ years of service. It is a rare sight to see a married couple receive this award on the same occasion, so it was an honor to witness this historical event here in Nashville. When the recipients received their awards, I think everyone’s eyes started tearing up a little bit. At least mine did!
We had a few hours before dinner to recharge, but the fun was just getting started! Everyone gathered together to share stories, laughs, and advice in the hospitality suite. I made homemade hot sauce and southern-themed keychains for all the members to take home as souvenirs, and I was told they were a hit! Carol Voss and Patrick Pelletti spoke to me about A&P school and the Air Force, while Terry Bazacos and Terry Carbonell spoke to me about air races. The cherry on top was the view of the commercial jets taking off from BNA. Time flies (pun intended) when you’re having fun.
The rest of the day was spent playing pilot-themed trivia games, eating yummy food, and learning from the best of the best. A few people even won goodies at the silent auction too! It was a great way to wrap up the marvelous weekend spent with fellow members.
My first experience for our Southeast Sectional Meeting in Nashville was a memorable one. I encourage our fellow 99s to join us in Jonesborough, TN for the next one April 23-25, 2027. I’m sure it will be just as great as the last, if not better, and I’m excited to attend. Hope to see you there!
Stay safe and happy soaring ✈️
Natalia Gonzalez
