Bradenton Woman Among 5 United 'Your Shot To Fly' Top Winners

BRADENTON, FL — A Bradenton woman and her mom will get to fly anywhere they want in the world for a year after United Airlines announced the five grand prize winners of its “Your Shot to Fly” sweepstakes that encourages getting vaccinated from the coronavirus.

Ashley Cronkhite was one of millions of United MileagePlus members to upload her COVID-19 vaccination card to United in hopes of winning the draw.

“Are you serious?” an excited Cronkhite asked when informed by United Captain William “CJ” Charlton personally that she is one of the five top winners.

Cronkhite works in advertising, but had to pick up a second job as a grocery store worker to help pay her bills earlier during the pandemic, United said in a news release.

The Bradenton United grand prize winner plans to travel with her mom to European destinations such as Ireland and Italy, according to the airline.

Robert Simicak, of Cleveland; Sean Husmoe, of Goodyear, Arizona; Lauren Aldredge, of Oakland, California; and Lauren M., of San Francisco were the other grand prize winners announced Thursday.

Thirty others were named winners of the sweepstakes in June, all winning a pair of free plane tickets.

United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline is proud to encourage vaccinations, and “thrilled by the overwhelming response we received.”

“This prize clearly struck an emotional chord with our customers, as the opportunity to travel and connect with people and places that matter most is something that clearly has been missed during the pandemic," Kirby said.