My path toward aviation technology began in the cockpit. During my early flight training, my instructor told me something that stuck: pilots who already had their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate were “miles ahead” of everyone else because they truly understood the machines they flew. That single statement reshaped my vision for my future. I realized I didn’t just want to fly—I wanted to know every bolt, wire, and system that kept an aircraft safely in the sky. I am now pursuing an education in Aviation Technology at Johnson College, with the goal of earning my A&P license. At the same time, I am working toward becoming a licensed pilot. My dream is to combine these skills in a role where they matter most—missionary work, search and rescue, or another field where lives depend on both the person in the cockpit and the person in the hangar. The journey hasn’t been without challenges. The largest obstacle has been financial. Flight training alone is costly, and pursuing it alongside an A&P certification requires more resources than I currently have. Scholarships are essential to bridging that gap. Without them, I would have to slow my training considerably, delaying my ability to reach the communities and missions I want to serve. For me, aircraft maintenance is more than a trade—it’s a responsibility. Every aircraft I service will carry people who are loved, needed, and irreplaceable. Pilots rely on mechanics to ensure their aircraft is not just functional, but dependable. I strive for excellence in my work because I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the yoke, trusting that the person who last touched the airplane treated every task as a matter of life and death. In aviation, it often is. Earning this scholarship would directly make flight lessons more affordable, freeing my mind from the constant pressure of finances so I can focus on mastering my craft. It would allow me to train with consistency, which is critical for both flying and maintenance work. Every step I take toward dual certification brings me closer to my goal of serving in the most challenging and meaningful corners of aviation—where precision, skill, and dedication can mean the difference between life and death. I am proud of the path I’ve chosen. It’s demanding, but the reward is knowing that my work will contribute to safer skies and stronger communities. Skilled work matters because it builds trust—between pilots and mechanics, between passengers and crews, and between families and the people who bring their loved ones home. That’s the kind of trust I want to earn every day, and this scholarship will help me get there.

Why I Am Passionate About a Career in Aviation Some people talk about aviation like it’s all adrenaline and freedom — the cliché of chasing sunsets and defying gravity. I won’t pretend those moments aren’t part of it. But for me, my passion for a career in aviation runs deeper than window views or romantic notions. It’s about discipline, growth, and earning my place in a field that demands both competence and character. I didn’t grow up in a family of pilots. I wasn’t the kid who built model airplanes or spent weekends hanging around airports. In fact, for a long time, flying felt untouchable — something other people did, the bold or the naturally gifted. But the first time I sat in the cockpit for a discovery flight, all of that changed. It wasn’t just the view that stayed with me; it was the clarity, the structure, and the challenge. There’s a kind of honesty to aviation — either you’re prepared, or you’re not. Either you understand your aircraft, your procedures, and your responsibilities, or you don’t belong in the left seat. That level of accountability doesn’t intimidate me; it motivates me. Aviation, to me, is where discipline and ambition meet. Every flight is a test of preparation, focus, and humility. You can’t cut corners or rely on charm at 3,000 feet. The aircraft doesn’t care how confident you feel — it reflects how competent you are. That reality drew me in. I’m passionate about this career because it strips away the superficial and rewards what matters: skill, respect for procedure, and the willingness to keep learning. But aviation isn’t just technical — it’s human. It’s about the responsibility we carry for every passenger, every crew member, and everyone under our flight path. It’s the quiet understanding that no matter how routine a flight feels, lives depend on the choices we make. That weight doesn’t scare me. If anything, it grounds me. I’m also drawn to aviation because of what it demands outside the cockpit — professionalism, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Those aren’t just traits I aspire to; they’re values I want to build a career on. I want to work in an industry where high standards aren’t optional and where you never really “arrive” — there’s always more to master, more to improve. People sometimes call aviation a passion career, as if it’s all instinct or romance. But for me, the passion comes from earning my place in it. From knowing that every early morning, every weather briefing, every humbling debrief after a tough flight is part of building a skill set and reputation I can be proud of. A career in aviation isn’t easy — it’s not supposed to be. But that’s exactly why I’m passionate about it. Because I don’t want easy. I want earned. I want to spend my life flying, not because it looks good from the outside, but because I know I belong there — prepared, professional, and ready. Although my current path will begin with schooling at Johnson College to become an A&P mechanic, I am already nearing the end of my private pilots training. Later in life, I have plans to steer my path toward a pilot's career, and, either way, I can not imagine a career without aviation as the forefront. In such a short time, aviation has become my passion, my calling, and the building blocks to my career. If less than a year can create such a positive impact, I look forward to the many years ahead of me.

If awarded the $1,000 Wander Fund scholarship, I would use it to support a transformative trip to Germany this May—my first international experience beyond a childhood visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. This trip is both a high school graduation present from me to myself and a self-gifted college graduation gift to my sister. We'll be departing May 22nd and returning June 1st. Additionally, while we’ve worked and saved diligently for this trip, the biggest cost remains airfare—about $825 each, even on a tight budget. This scholarship would go directly toward covering that, and anything left over would help with housing, meals, and local transportation Germany is where I have been planning on visiting since I began my my studies of the language and culture over the past 5 years at Ephrata High School, and that dream as not died since, but meerly took a back seat as I began diligently preparing myself for my future and aligning my actions with my aspriations. Further cementing our decision, my mother’s cousin, who lives in Halle as a missionary, provides us with a meaningful local connection and a base from which to explore outward from. Since beginning my studies about Germany, my plans to visit the Kölner Dom and Schloss Neuschweinstein are at the top of my list. I have been developing my interest in architecture since I turned 14 when I was gifted my first architectural books, and the styles of those two magnificent structures are certainly sights to witness in person. That being said, travel has always represented more than sightseeing to me—it's about immersion, perspective, and growth. As someone training to become an airplane pilot, I understand travel as being both a career and a calling. Understanding how others live, think, and move through the world helps me better navigate my own place in it. As I continue to dive into my aeronautical studies and passions alike, I have realized my deep connection to travel in more than just going somewhere because of its local monuments; it's more for the people I will meet. Travel is what brings happiness into my life, much like the ancient Greek philosopher, Epicurus, explained, the nessesities of a happy life are freedom, friends, and an analyzed life, all of which travel and experiences in new countries can provide me. Finally, receiving this scholarship would mean the difference between a trip that’s financially tight and one that allows me to be fully present in the experience. It would mean breathing room—an opportunity to pause from the balancing act of work, school, and flight training, and focus on cultural learning and exploration. It would be a stepping stone—not just to Germany, but to the broader world I hope to understand, connect with, and someday fly across.