PEMBROKE, N.C., April 24 -- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke issued the following news release:

As Cadet Maximus Lang guided a small aircraft through the skies above Fayetteville Regional Airport, preparing for one of aviation's most challenging maneuvers, he realized something had shifted.

"For the first time, I felt confident in what I was doing," Lang said. "I knew ahead of time what I should be doing. That was a good feeling."

That moment reflects more than progress in flight training - it represents a milestone achievement. Lang has become the first UNC Pembroke cadet to earn the prestigious You Can Certify Scholarship. This highly competitive national Air Force ROTC award provides up to $20,000 toward earning a private ...