Age: 17
Hometown: McDonough, GA
School: Luella High School
Year: Senior
Career Aspirations:
I aspire to become a commercial pilot by way of graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy and then becoming a U.S. Air Force Officer. My goal is to become a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, fly in the military, fly for a top commercial airline, and then own an aviation business.
Hobbies & Interests:
In addition to my passion for aviation, I love playing golf and basketball. I also enjoy guest speaking at elementary schools in Henry County to introduce students to aerospace careers.
Organizations/Clubs:
I have been affiliated as a member of several enrichment and extra-curricular activities including: President and Vice President of National Beta Club, Vice President of National Science Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Aviation Career Enrichment & Solo Flight Academy, and National Society of High School Scholars. Also, I volunteer at the Delta Flight Museum and enjoy serving in my community.
Why are you passionate about aviation?
I love being in the air flying above the clouds. Being a pilot is a great job to see the world from your office. There is always something new to look forward to when going up for a flight.
What is your future aspiration?
My immediate goal is to earn my private pilot's license before I graduate from high school so that I will increase my opportunity to get a congressional nomination and appointment to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. My future aspiration after completing my Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace is to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force, I want a career as a commercial pilot. Then, my goal is to have a successful aviation business and pay it forward by continuing to introduce at-risk youth to aerospace careers through STEM related aviation academics. Also, as an alumnus of various aviation programs, I would like to return as a guest speaker of the programs I participated in to recruit new generations of youth to aerospace careers.
Why did you choose to apply to Tuskegee NEXT?
I was inspired to apply for the 2018 Tuskegee NEXT program because the program offered me the opportunity to fulfill my goal and earn my private pilot's license before graduating from high school. Also, the program offered mentorship from professionals in the aviation industry. My mom sent me information on Nia Allen when she was in the Tuskegee NEXT program. Nia and I have participated in youth aviation programs together, although she was a few years ahead of me I admired her pathway to become a pilot and now she is a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University. My mother encouraged me to apply. I liked the opportunity Tuskegee Next offered to pursue my passion to fly in a new environment outside of Georgia. The process to get in the program was very competitive, but I believed all of the previous summer programs I applied to had prepared for the flight training program offered by Tuskegee Next. It has been a blessing to be selected for a program that will allow me to earn my private pilot's license.