Age: 19
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Lewis University
Year: Sophomore
Career Aspirations: I aspire to be a United Airlines Pilot.
Hobbies & Interests: My hobbies include photography, anything with nature, planes or people. I enjoy taking pictures and describing what sometimes words can’t.
Organizations/Clubs: Aerostar Avion Institute, First Gen Flyers, Flyers to Flyers, OBAP, Mikva Challenge
Why are you passionate about aviation?
I am passionate about aviation because when I was younger, I was always around planes. I would look up and see planes fly in and out of Midway. It was so interesting to me at 10-years-old to seeing something so amazing take-off. What truly started my passion was the female pilot I met in the sixth grade, she worked for United Airlines. She gave me great advice about persevering and not giving up. I was only 13 but none of those words have been forgotten. During high school, I joined Aerostar. I learned more about the aviation world, what happens behind the scenes of an airport, and the business side of aviation. The experience of learning more than just what happens in the cockpit opened my eyes to see aviation as a whole. It truly kept my passion for aviation alive.
What is your future aspiration?
My future aspiration is to become a United Airline pilot. Aviation is a wonderful journey alongside any pathway. I would love to give back to my community. I would like to talk to youth about aviation and hope one day to inspire someone, just as that one person did for me. I want to also reach out to younger girls and show them that aviation is just as much for them as anyone else. I want to be a mentor one day and guide someone who may have similar experiences as me or can use my help to better their success in anything.
Why did you choose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT?
I decided to join Tuskegee NEXT because of Ms. Holmes, who was my teacher/mentor in Aerostars during high school. She saw how interested and serious I was about becoming a pilot. She mentioned Tuskegee NEXT to me and I was intrigued. Along with Ms. Holmes, I also knew alumni of the program that told me I should go for it. Everything I heard about Tuskegee NEXT was exactly what I wanted to be apart of. Aviation is expensive, especially becoming a pilot. The amount of gratitude I have for the Tuskegee NEXT group for making an organization as wonderful as this one is immense. To invest in the future of young adults and help them succeed is amazing. It truly pushed me to make it happen and become a cadet. It has been the greatest opportunity thus far and I am so thankful!