When I hear the words "passion" and "determination," I think of my journey in aviation—a journey that has reshaped my understanding of both concepts. From a young age, my eyes were always skyward. I craved the freedom of surfing the clouds and exploring the world around me. On my 17th birthday, I received a discovery flight at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. I enrolled in a career pilot program, but soon faced significant challenges. My medical history resulted in a deferred medical certificate, leading to a year of consultations and tests to meet FAA requirements. Although I finally received a third-class medical certificate, financial struggles prevented me from continuing my flight training. Determined to serve my country, I sought a path as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and earned a full AFROTC scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. My time in the Air Force taught my invaluable respect and leadership skills. However, after nearly two years, a shoulder surgery led to my honorable discharge, ending my military aspirations and scholarship. While I was heartbroken, I remained committed to my dream. In fall 2018, I enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, initially receiving a first-class medical certificate. However, three months later, the FAA requested further evaluation. After another round of assessments, I was cleared, allowing me to dive into my training. I excelled both in the classroom and in the cockpit, eagerly anticipating my private pilot checkride. However, just five days before the checkride, I unexpectedly received a crushing letter from the FAA denying my medical certificate again due to issues previously resolved. I knew I couldn’t accept this decision. I hired an aviation lawyer and gathered extensive documentation to contest the FAA’s ruling. This process stretched over five long years, during which I watched my classmates advance while I remained grounded. To cope, I turned my attention to animal rescue, working as a veterinary technician and raising over $800 for a local rescue through my social media platform. Helping animals brought me joy and purpose during this challenging time. In March 2024, my perseverance paid off: the FAA granted me a special issuance first-class medical. I promptly reenrolled at Lunken Flight Training Center. On July 9, 2024, I passed my private pilot checkride in the same airplane where my journey began many years ago - that moment of triumph made all the hardships worthwhile. Now, I’m pursuing my Instrument rating, with the ultimate goal of becoming a captain for a major airline. My journey has not only built my resilience in this male dominated industry, but has also highlighted my leadership qualities by being an inspiration for other pilots who face difficulties in their aviation journey. Despite spending over $12,000 on legal fees and medical evaluations, I would gladly invest it again to prove my capabilities as a pilot. This is money I had diligently saved to use toward flight training. Receiving a scholarship would help alleviate financial burdens and let me focus entirely on my aviation goals. I deeply appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you all.

When I hear the words "passion" and "determination," I think of my journey in aviation—a journey that has reshaped my understanding of both concepts. From a young age, my eyes were always skyward. I craved the freedom of surfing the clouds and exploring the world around me. On my 17th birthday, I received a discovery flight at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. I enrolled in a career pilot program, but soon faced significant challenges. My medical history resulted in a deferred medical certificate, leading to a year of consultations and tests to meet FAA requirements. Although I finally received a third-class medical certificate, financial struggles prevented me from continuing my flight training. Determined to serve my country, I sought a path as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and earned a full AFROTC scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. However, after nearly two years, a shoulder surgery led to my honorable discharge, ending my military aspirations and scholarship. While I was heartbroken, I remained committed to my dream. In fall 2018, I enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, initially receiving a first-class medical certificate. However, three months later, the FAA requested further evaluation. After another round of assessments, I was cleared, allowing me to dive into my training. I excelled both in the classroom and in the cockpit, eagerly anticipating my private pilot checkride. However, just five days before the checkride, I unexpectedly received a crushing letter from the FAA denying my medical certificate again due to issues previously resolved. I knew I couldn’t accept this decision. I hired an aviation lawyer and gathered extensive documentation to contest the FAA’s ruling. This process stretched over five long years, during which I watched my classmates advance while I remained grounded. To cope, I turned my attention to animal rescue, working as a veterinary technician and raising over $800 for a local rescue through my social media platform. Helping animals brought me joy and purpose during this challenging time. In March 2024, my perseverance paid off: the FAA granted me a special issuance first-class medical. I promptly reenrolled at Lunken Flight Training Center. On July 9, 2024, I passed my private pilot checkride in the same airplane where my journey began many years ago - that moment of triumph made all the hardships worthwhile. Now, I’m pursuing my Instrument rating, with the ultimate goal of becoming a captain for a major airline. My journey has built my resilience in this difficult male-dominated industry. Despite spending over $12,000 on legal fees and medical evaluations, I would gladly invest it again to prove my capabilities as a pilot. This is money I had diligently saved to use toward flight training. Receiving a scholarship would help alleviate financial burdens and let me focus entirely on my aviation goals. I deeply appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you all.