James Diorato Memorial Scholarship

My name is Quincy M Velez, and I am a senior at Elmont Memorial High school. I live with my mom who’s a single parent working nonstop to make sure I’m good. I developed a desire to fly at an early age. There has never been a time when I have never yearned to soar high above the clouds flying planes. To this day I can still remember when my dad would take me to JFK Airport to watch planes take off and land. Unfortunately, my father passed away when I was 3 years of age, but my desire to become a pilot never wavered and is engraved in my heart and soul forever. In the Fall of 2021, I was fortunate to be chosen to be a part of the Aviation4Us initiative, which trains young men and women in the logistics of piloting planes. Without this program, young people like me would not otherwise have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the aviation profession. Living in Valley Stream, NY with my mother, I will begin my freshman year in college at Vaughn College in the Fall of this year. My activities in school are numerous, and my favorite subject is World History. I play Volleyball for the school as well as the travel club Long Island Knights. I am a participant in the mentoring program Men of Elmont and was a member of the Chess Club. Outside of school I am a Boy Scout and have reached the rank of Star Scout. When I am not in school, and not preoccupied with flying planes, I enjoy spending time flying my drones and teaching others how to fly, as well as playing video games. During the summer I worked as a custodian at my old school, Alden Terrace Elementary School, and also spends time with my grandparents in Waxhaw, NC. Since piloting my first private flight on January 7, 2022, I have been making a concerted effort to fly at least once a month. I now have a total of twenty (20) flight hours. Some of my instructors say that I am so good that they thought I already had 50 hours logged. I need 40 hours of flight time in order to obtain my private pilot’s license. Upon graduation from HS, I plan on going to college for aviation to obtain my bachelors in pilot profession. My back up plan is joining the United States Air Force and flying for the 357th division that provides close air support for troops on the ground. I have plans to still be incorporated within the boy scouts as in helping when I’m in town as a leader, donating and help fund projects, and give back anyway I can. As I’m traveling the world, I get to help so many others that can’t call for help and it’s a blessing come true. I love the goals that I have set for my future and am grateful to my entire village for their unwavering support as my endeavors to achieve my dream of becoming a professional pilot is in reach.