Ellie Cheek is an Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot student at Utah State University (USU). A resident of Eagle, ID, Ellie graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in 2024. Taking her first discovery flight out of Nampa, ID in 2023, Ellie set her sights on finding a university program where she could train to become a professional pilot. At Utah State, Ellie has completed her Private Pilot training, including her solo from Logan, UT to Pocatello, ID. She continued her training over the summer to complete the cross country ground and flight courses in order to move on to instrument training for fall 2025. Ellie plans to become a Certified Flight Instructor for USU in the future. Ellie maintains a 4.0 GPA and is an active member of the school community. She is a member of Women in Aviation International and represented USU at their 2025 international conference in Denver, CO. She is also a member of the USU Student Alumni Association and sings soprano in the university choir. While living in Eagle, ID, Ellie worked as a horse guide and farm hand at Twin Oaks Farms for several seasons. She also worked at Eagle Island State park in the shave ice shack and volunteered countless hours to her local church choir. Ellie is looking forward to the day when she can fly over the beautiful state she calls home.