(KAIR)--Although months remain before Atchison's July celebration of famous one-time resident Amelia Earhart, planning for the annual festival held in her honor is underway, with the Pioneering Achievement Award recipient of 2024 now selected.

A release from Festival Coordinator Jacque Pregont, headlined, "From homeless to pilot," names Skywest Airlines pilot Kamia Bradley as the recipient of the honor, presented annually to one who best exemplifies the Earhart spirit.

According to the release, Bradley grew up homeless in Colorado, but became the first in her family to graduate high school and college, "going on to overcome tremendous obstacles to pursue her dream of flight as a pilot." The release notes that in order "to help others achieve their dreams," Bradley educates future pilots as a certified flight instructor.

It's those accomplishments, the release notes, that earned Bradley the award, with Pregont, in the release, saying that Bradley's "life and career exemplify Amelia Earhart's legacy of perseverance and spirit of determination."

Bradley's recognition includes that of the Woodson Center, with the Washington D.C. based center calling Bradley a "modern-day-Bessie Coleman,"the first black woman to earn a pilot's license, whose legacy is highlighted as part of Atchison's Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum display.

Bradley, the release notes, earned a flying instruction scholarship from the "Fly With Amelia Foundation," a nonprofit formed by Amelia Rose Earhart, 2013's Pioneering Achievement Award recipient.

Bradley, on July 20, will share her story of achievement as part of the day's celebration of Earhart, which will include the presentation of the award to Bradley during that afternoon's award luncheon.

The annual, two day festival will begin the previous evening, July 19, featuring the riverfront country music concert to kick-off the festival weekend.