I’ve been interested in aviation since I was very young. I can remember memorizing the different types of aircraft that were on the many posters hung on my bedroom walls. I’m also an avid reader of WWII history, recall long talks with my grandfather about famous air battles in Europe, and enjoyed watching Air Force A-10 Warthogs fly overhead at my home in North Carolina – all of which sparked my curiosity about flying. Now that I’m older, my interest in the aviation industry has grown even deeper, and I’m focused on having a career as a pilot.

Because I grew up as the child of two Air Force pilots, the world of aviation has been a constant throughout my youth. From hanging out with my parents’ friends, many of whom are either pilots or have careers in the aviation industry, to watching my parents serve in the Air Force, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by positive role models who influenced my decision to fly.

At the end of my junior year at Saint James, I decided to fully dedicate my time towards earning a Private Pilot’s License (PPL). I had my very first flight, also known as a Discovery Flight, at Montgomery Regional Airport in May 2021. I had the unique opportunity to fly with the same flight instructor who also served as my father’s flight instructor during his Air Force student pilot days, Maj (ret) Chris “Hambone” Hamm. Mr. Hamm is an incredible flight instructor who fuels my excitement about becoming a professional pilot. He has been a true role model and has taught me so much thus far.

I have been flying consistently for the past few months, and despite the rigorous academic requirements that flying entails, my interest in it has not waned at all. I recently completed my solo cross-country flight around Alabama and had an absolute blast! My ultimate goal is to become a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. While I’m not sure what path I will take, I am excited to keep flying and learning as much as possible!