On October 6, Habitat for Aviation founder Beth White will travel to Philadelphia to attend the Power of Innovation Summit and find out whether Habitat for Aviation will be awarded the 2026 Yass Prize, a $1 million award recognizing innovative education organizations across the country. Habitat is one of 26 education innovators selected as a 2026 Yass Prize contender after a rigorous national selection process.

The Yass Prize, often described as the “Pulitzer of Education Innovation,” celebrates organizations that are reimagining education through its four guiding principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless. Throughout the past several months, Beth and the Habitat team have participated in the Yass Prize Accelerator, connected with education leaders and innovators from across the country, and prepared a three-minute pitch sharing Habitat’s vision and the impact of its hands-on aviation apprenticeship model.

Now, the journey comes down to one exciting moment. At the Power of Innovation Summit, Beth will join fellow contenders and education innovators from across the country as the 2026 Yass Prize winner is announced live. Whatever the outcome, being part of this national community has given Habitat an opportunity to share its mission, learn from other innovators, and bring new ideas and connections back to Vermont.