My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, cultures, traditions, and wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at an array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their ambassador at Embry Riddle. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Coleman for Patriots Scholarship.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, cultures, traditions, and wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at an array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their ambassador at Embry Riddle. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Holt Family Scholarship.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, cultures, traditions, and wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at an array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their ambassador at Embry Riddle. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship, which would help me pay back the overwhelming student loans needed to fulfill my dreams.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, the cultures, the traditions, and the wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at a wide array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, my wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short overnight road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their representative at my college campus. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Emma Jane Hastie Scholarship.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, the cultures, the traditions, and the wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at a wide array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, my wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short overnight road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their representative at my college campus. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Robert F. Lawson Scholarship.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, the cultures, the traditions, and the wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at a wide array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, my wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short overnight road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their representative at my college campus. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study camp. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for the Maverick Grill and Saloon Scholarship.

My passion for seeing the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, the cultures, the traditions, and the wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at a wide array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like the South of the Border rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, my wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short overnight road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto through Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the hotel elevator in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us and was so friendly. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve years old and I was flying and have never looked back. Today as I am finishing my third year and final year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their representative at my college campus. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. Back in high school, I would volunteer my time with local charities and civic associations to give back to my community. Since starting at Embry Riddle, each summer I have been honored to join other college students from my church on a mission to Puerto Rico to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. While there, we would also volunteer at our sister church in the children's summer bible study group. The experience has been humbling and makes me feel grateful for what I have. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away. I am thankful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and grateful to be considered for this scholarship to honor the memory of Mrs. Brennan

My decision to commit to a life of flight can best be described as an evolution, continually unfolding, progressively becoming more challenging and rewarding at the same time. While focused on becoming the best professional pilot I can be, I am proceeding through the many steps in the journey to reach my goal. I have completed some of the steps in the process, up to receiving my Commercial Pilot Certification. I have demonstrated my dedication and achievements, but to explore my leadership and commitment to aviation, we must look at how I got to this point. My path was not always clear. In fact, growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that would capture my heart as well as my aptitude. Nothing clicked until my twelfth birthday when my grandfather gifted me a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the perfect gift, the opening of a window to my future. Seeing my interest, my grandfather took the next step and booked a two-hour introductory flight lesson for me at a local airport. This first flight was the moment when my life gained direction. Thus began my true life’s journey. My educational path at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is an extension of the path I have been on for over eight years. My interest in flight continues to grow. While in High School, I was accepted into the Aviation Professional Pilot Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. I attended the BOCES campus every day in addition to my regular high school schedule, where I began my intensive daily flight training. I joined every club and association related to flight and became the President of the Long Island AeroChapter’s Youth Group, where I shared my love of aviation with other potential pilots. I completed my flight training and graduated High School on the Honor Roll with the NYS Advanced Regents Diploma along with my Private Pilots Certification. Today, I am attending Embry Riddle graduating as a third-year student and ready to begin my career. Commitment is evident in my focus on flight. As for helping in the community, I have worked on local community projects, been a board member of a local Civic Association, I have volunteered to help in Puerto Rico to rebuild hurricane-devastated homes with my church, as well as led summer study in our sister church while there. I am also Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. My life has been a preparation for my journey toward my dream to become an Airline Pilot. Aviation has become more than a career choice, it is a vocation, a passion. It will allow me to continually grow and experience a full range of possibilities and your scholarship will go a long way in assisting in my journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell you about my dreams and am thankful to be considered for this scholarship to honor the memory of Kyle.

My decision to commit to a life of flight can best be described as an evolution, continually unfolding, progressively becoming more challenging and rewarding at the same time. While focused on becoming the best professional pilot I can be, I am proceeding through the many steps in the journey to reach my goal. I have completed some of the steps in the process, up to receiving my Commercial Pilot Certification. I have demonstrated my dedication and achievements, but to explore my leadership and commitment to aviation, we must look at how I got to this point. My path was not always clear. In fact, growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that would capture my heart as well as my aptitude. Nothing clicked until my twelfth birthday when my grandfather gifted me a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the perfect gift, the opening of a window to my future. Seeing my interest, my grandfather took the next step and booked a two-hour introductory flight lesson for me at a local airport. This first flight was the moment when my life gained direction. Thus began my true life’s journey. My educational path at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is an extension of the path I have been on for over eight years. My interest in flight continues to grow. While in High School, I was accepted into the Aviation Professional Pilot Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. I attended the BOCES campus every day in addition to my regular high school schedule, where I began my intensive daily flight training. I joined every club and association related to flight and became the President of the Long Island AeroChapter’s Youth Group, where I shared my love of aviation with other potential pilots. I completed my flight training and graduated High School on the Honor Roll with the NYS Advanced Regents Diploma along with my Private Pilots Certification. Today, I am attending Embry Riddle graduating as a third-year student and ready to begin my career. My life has been a preparation for my journey toward my dream to become an Airline Pilot. Aviation has become more than a career choice, it is a vocation, a passion. It will allow me to continually grow and experience a full range of possibilities and your scholarship will go a long way in assisting in my journey. Thank you for reading my story and for the opportunity to apply for your very generous scholarship.

My passion to see the world one journey at a time is the foundation on which I have built my future. My dream is to explore the world, city by city, state by state, country by country. I see myself not as a tourist, but as an explorer, a wanderer, experiencing the many tastes and flavors that abound in our world. My passion is to experience the people, the cultures, the traditions, and the wonder lying before me as I travel this planet. My passion for exploring began quite innocently with short road trips with my grandfather. Some of our road trips included Montréal Canada, Washington DC, Phoenix Arizona, New Orleans LA, and Florida. Always stopping along the way at a wide array of cities and locations, including national monuments, beautiful state parks, as well as the oddly interesting roadside attractions like “South of the Border” rest stop and the smallest US Post Office in the country in Ochopee Florida, then onward to the end of the line to Key West. I loved those trips and it was the spark that ignited my passion, my wanderlust, and my dreams. From an early age, some explorations have been local in nature. There have been many short overnight road trips within America to interesting locales, while others have been broader in scope. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Canada and the Caribbean as well, meeting interesting people along the way. My trip to Canada was an opportunity to visit family in Toronto, by way of Montréal, which was an amazing experience. We met Sugar Ray Leonard in the elevator of the hotel in Montréal, a famous Olympics gold medal winner and boxing champion. He took the time to chat with us, and was so friendly. On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, I was honored to join other college students from my church, on a mission to help in the rebuilding efforts of underserved areas that were devastated by past hurricanes. My grandfather recognized my adventurous spirit and, to make a long story short, gifted me a private flight lesson at our local airport and, thus began my journey into flight. I was twelve and I was flying and have never looked back. Today, as I enter the third year of my Aeronautical Science education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am nearing the culmination of my journey to become a Professional Airline Pilot, combining my passion for travel with my passion for flying. Diving into the profession, I was recently hired as an Ambassador for Republic Airways as their representative at my college campus. One of my tasks is to recruit other aviation students that show an interest in following a career in the commercial airline industry. I have been afforded an opportunity to join a commercial airline upon graduation, as well as receive an array of benefits. One benefit is free standby flights on select airlines, a dream come true for a wanderer like myself. I truly believe that passion is the underlying driving force of all endeavors, and without passion often our goals can slip away.

As a small child, I was terrified of dogs, actually, I was afraid of virtually all animals. If I came upon a dog outside, even those on a leash I would cling to my mother in fear. This was odd since my extended family all loved animals. My grandparents raised and trained parrots, had two dogs and a cat, my aunt had horses, my cousins all had pets… My fear was unfounded, something foreign to everyone…that was until the day I met a small black puppy named Kayla. My grandparents felt that at five years old, it was time for me to get past my fear of dogs. They adopted a puppy from the local shelter. She was a tiny little thing, wearing a red bandana and had a great disposition. Once she was home with my grandparents, I was invited for a sleepover. I loved sleepovers at my grandparents, but this time would be unforgettable. My grandfather brought the puppy out into the yard and held her out for me to see. As you can imagine my initial response was “flight” and my fear did not surprise anyone…anyone except that little puppy. She jumped down from my grandfather’s arms and before I could move she was on my lap, jumping and licking me all over. And so it began, at that moment, all the fear was gone and my life was changed forever. I named her Kayla and we bonded instantly, and for many years we grew up together. She quickly grew into a large black, intimidating-looking dog, with the personality of a gentle giant. She was my best friend. As time went on we saw that she was aging and slowing down. One day Kayla collapsed and would not get up. She was bleeding out. When my mother got the call, we went straight to my grandparent’s house after school to be with her. We thought this was the end. As soon as I walked through the door, Kayla stood up and came over to me, wagging her tail, licked my face, and then laid down at my feet. Everyone was surprised because she hadn’t moved all day. I went to their house every day after school, thinking “this could be her last day.” This continued for two weeks and she would always get up just for me. We knew she was getting weaker, so we brought Kayla to the vet, who said, “there is nothing we can do, she should be put down.” I cried, my grandfather cried, and my grandmother cried, but we convinced the vet to observe her over the weekend. We returned to the vet first thing Monday morning, and the entire staff was smiling…Kayla was better. The vet did not know why she improved, but I knew. She came home that day and years later, passed away peacefully in her sleep. That was a major learning event that shaped my life. I now know that irrational fear is paralyzing and that sometimes love is more powerful than anything.

As a small child, I was terrified of dogs, actually, I was afraid of virtually all animals. If I came upon a dog outside, even those on a leash I would cling to my mother in fear. This was odd since my extended family all loved animals. My grandparents raised and trained parrots, had two dogs and a cat, my aunt had horses, my cousins all had pets… My fear was unfounded, something foreign to everyone…that was until the day I met a small black puppy named Kayla. My grandparents felt that at five years old, it was time for me to get past my fear of dogs. They adopted a puppy from the local shelter. She was a tiny little thing, wearing a red bandana and had a great disposition. Once she was home with my grandparents, I was invited for a sleepover. I loved sleepovers at my grandparents, but this time would be unforgettable. My grandfather brought the puppy out into the yard and held her out for me to see. As you can imagine my initial response was “flight” and my fear did not surprise anyone…anyone except that little puppy. She jumped down from my grandfather’s arms and before I could move she was on my lap, jumping and licking me all over. And so it began, at that moment, all the fear was gone and my life was changed forever. I named her Kayla and we bonded instantly, and for many years we grew up together. She quickly grew into a large black, intimidating-looking dog, with the personality of a gentle giant. She was my best friend. As time went on we saw that she was aging and slowing down. One day Kayla collapsed and would not get up. She was bleeding out. When my mother got the call, we went straight to my grandparent’s house after school to be with her. We thought this was the end. As soon as I walked through the door, Kayla stood up and came over to me, wagging her tail, licked my face, and then laid down at my feet. Everyone was surprised because she hadn’t moved all day. I went to their house every day after school, thinking “this could be her last day.” This continued for two weeks and she would always get up just for me. We knew she was getting weaker, so we brought Kayla to the vet, who said, “there is nothing we can do, she should be put down.” I cried, my grandfather cried, and my grandmother cried, but we convinced the vet to observe her over the weekend. We returned to the vet first thing Monday morning, and the entire staff was smiling…Kayla was better. The vet did not know why she improved, but I knew. She came home that day and years later, passed away peacefully in her sleep. That was a major learning event that shaped my life. I now know that irrational fear is paralyzing and that sometimes love is more powerful than anything.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs in navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a rising junior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Ambassador, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates on the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders for another’s outlook.

“This too shall pass” was an often repeated quote from my grandmother, who heard it from her grandmother, an immigrant Jew from Russia. I can only assume that throughout her hard life in Russia, during the restrictive rule of Joseph Stalin, the statement would be a hopeful refrain. But being a Jewish grandmother, she would also use the same statement not just in bad times, but also in good times, always fearing something bad could happen. Prepare for the worst, and enjoy the best. In my life, this too shall pass, has remained a profound reminder in both times of hopelessness, times of sadness, and times of challenge. I can always remember my grandmother reminding everyone that this too shall pass, life will continue and we should not despair, hang on and look for the next opportunity, the next joy, be optimistic. This too shall pass is just a portion of her many words of wisdom from her to her family. Times were hard, they faced the Depression and World War II, which took their toll, but everyone knew that this too shall pass. This was only a beginning and everyone must look to a brighter future. Once the war was over she insisted that the boys get a good education which resulted in one becoming a judge, one becoming a successful pharmacist and the last becoming an engineer. Her dedication to family, always looking toward the future, and her this too shall pass outlook has been my foundation, my belief that positive change is always possible. My path is set, my journey toward becoming a professional pilot on track, always remembering what I was told, we must not dwell on yesterday, but look to the future.

“I intend to live forever. So far, so good!” ~ Steven Wright That is possibly the most accurate statement I can make at this time. While I have a plan, to become a professional pilot, and I have spent most of my time focused on it, for several years my life has been a lot of future with only bits and pieces of here and now. It’s like when I took a road trip from Florida to California, we drove straight through, past some amazing scenery (the operative word “past”), reached Venice Beach, I got out, jumped into the Pacific Ocean for the first time, got back in the car and drove to Arizona, stopping only for gas. Almost twenty-four hours of driving with one goal in mind, to swim in the Pacific Ocean, and forgetting to enjoy everything in between. Until recently, that described my life, laser-focused. Focused on learning to fly, getting into the best college, accomplishing the steps needed to become a professional pilot, and ignoring life along the way. That was until the Pandemic when life was put on hold. It forced me to look at and appreciate everything around me. I have been missing too much, ignoring too much, and avoiding all the wonders afforded to me. Along the way, I realized I had missed so many things. As I reflect, that has guided me to live a fuller, more inclusive life, broaden my horizons and allow myself to “smell the roses” along the path. My goals remain important, but I now realize living life should and will be number one, and in the end will produce a happier, better, more well-rounded professional pilot, if that is where life takes me.

“I intend to live forever. So far, so good!” ~ Steven Wright That is possibly the most accurate statement I can make at this time. While I have a plan, to become a professional pilot, and I have spent most of my time focused on it, for several years my life has been a lot of future with only bits and pieces of here and now. It’s like when I took a road trip from Florida to California, we drove straight through, past some amazing scenery (the operative word “past”), reached Venice Beach, I got out, jumped into the Pacific Ocean for the first time, got back in the car and drove to Arizona, stopping only for gas. Almost twenty-four hours of driving with one goal in mind, to swim in the Pacific Ocean, and forgetting to enjoy everything in between. Until recently, that described my life, laser-focused. Focused on learning to fly, getting into the best college, accomplishing the steps needed to become a professional pilot, and ignoring life along the way. That was until the Pandemic when life was put on hold. It forced me to look at and appreciate everything around me. I have been missing too much, ignoring too much, and avoiding all the wonders afforded to me. Along the way, I realized I had missed so many things. As I reflect, that has guided me to live a fuller, more inclusive life, broaden my horizons and allow myself to “smell the roses” along the path. My goals remain important, but I now realize living life should and will be number one, and in the end will produce a happier, better, more well-rounded professional pilot, if that is where life takes me.

“This too shall pass” was an often repeated quote from my grandmother, who heard it from her grandmother, an immigrant Jew from Russia. I can only assume that throughout her hard life in Russia, during the restrictive rule of Joseph Stalin, the statement would be a hopeful refrain. But being a Jewish grandmother, she would also use the same statement not just in bad times, but also in good times, always fearing something bad could happen. Prepare for the worst, and enjoy the best. In my life, this too shall pass, has remained a profound reminder in both times of hopelessness, times of sadness, and times of challenge. I can always remember my grandmother reminding everyone that this too shall pass, life will continue and we should not despair, hang on and look for the next opportunity, the next joy, be optimistic. This too shall pass is just a portion of her many words of wisdom from her to her family. Times were hard, they faced the Depression and World War II, which took their toll, but everyone knew that this too shall pass. This was only a beginning and everyone must look to a brighter future. Once the war was over she insisted that the boys get a good education which resulted in one becoming a judge, one becoming a successful pharmacist and the last becoming an engineer. Her dedication to family, always looking toward the future, and her "this too shall pass" outlook has been my foundation, my belief that positive change is always possible. My path is set, my journey toward becoming a professional pilot on track, always remembering what I was told, we must not dwell on yesterday, but look to the future.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs in navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Cadet, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates in the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders for another’s outlook.

To refer to my choosing the Aeronautical Science program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as my major, or dedicating myself to becoming a professional pilot, as my choice would be only partially true. It would be more accurate to say the major chose me. It all began quite innocently when my grandfather surprised me with a gift. While growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that captured my heart as well as my aptitude. While my contemporaries played video games and sports, I floundered. Nothing clicked until my twelfth birthday when my grandfather gifted me a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the impetus I needed, the window to my future, the perfect gift. I was enamored with the program and with flying, even if it was simulated. Seeing my interest, my grandfather took it to the next level, he booked me a two-hour introductory flight lesson at a local airport. I started to board the plane, when the instructor said “not that side – today you are the pilot, sit over here!” I was to be the pilot? My emotions were raging, fear, excitement, curiosity, and then calm and focused on the instructor’s voice as he directed my actions. Moments later I was on the runway, picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, clearing the trees, and climbing into that clear, crisp, golden day in May when my life gained direction. I was flying, me, Justin Chirco, and loving every second of it. I immediately understood the often-quoted statement attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” This was the beginning of my fantastic journey in aviation, a journey that continues today and will continue into my career as a professional pilot. Today I am attending my second year at Embry Riddle, where I earned my instrument rating and Commercial Pilot Certification. I am currently working on becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. This is “who I am” but understanding “why I am who I am” is critically important. Watching my mother’s selfless caring spirit over the years working as a One-to-One Aide, with autistic students in my local school district, has had an impact on me. Her dedication and joy in helping special needs students have molded my personal journey. I have been able to see and share in the happiness she experienced and appreciate the positive effects she has made on the lives of her students. This has truly become a lens through which I now view my life. She has taught me that providing help to others is more than an altruistic endeavor, it is a shared gift that fills the soul, changing both the helper and the helped. My professional goals after graduation are a manifestation of my passion for flight, combined with my dedication. Once I graduate and proceed toward my final goal of becoming a professional airline pilot, I intend to volunteer my time at humanitarian programs along the lines of “Wings of Hope” or “Air Care Alliance” providing medical air transport and food distribution to those in need, thus allowing me to combine all the important aspects of my adult life. With our skills and donated time and resources, we can make a difference. Helping others gives life purpose, and giving back will be part of my life going forward. I hope to make as big a contribution as my Mom.

My goals while focused are constantly developing. For the past several years I have worked towards achieving my career goal of becoming a professional pilot, but I understand there is more to life beyond a career. At this point, my short-term goal is to focus on learning everything I can to improve my aeronautical skills and abilities while at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The more I learn and experience the better pilot I can become. But goals are simply targets, some are short-term, one day at a time, others broader ultimate goals. At this point in the process, my near-term goals are to make sure I progress in a timely fashion through all the required phases of educational development. Thus far I am on track and have met my goals at Embry Riddle. I have attained my Private Pilot Certification, Instrument Rating, and my Commercial Pilot Certification while completing all required classroom courses and increasing cross-country flight hours. Up until this point, my goals have been career-based. I realize every goal may be affected by a myriad of outside influences, such as navigation of diverse pathways and roadblocks, which will require adjustments that I now feel confident in surmounting. Alterations to goals need not be seen as a failure, but as growth opportunities and as learning experiences, building a stronger more adaptable person able to rethink targets and paths to successfully attain set destinations. As my journey continues, these adjustments will be vital to ensure success and recognizable growth. In addition, the short-term goals listed above may require expansions and adjustment to include a growing list of personal life goals beyond being strictly focused on my aeronautical career. The goals I have added include developing improved communication skills, better interpersonal skills, improved public speaking ability, as well as building an expanded and more diverse circle of associates. To these ends, I have decided to spend this summer working as a CFI, while continuing my studies with remote learning classes at Embry Riddle. My ultimate goal to become a successful professional pilot may seem clear and even simplistic. To be realistic, I realize that life often blocks our paths or forces us to adjust our trajectory, but I believe my final goal will remain to be a professional pilot. What may be more flexible is the timeline of reaching my goal. To that end, I have applied to and been accepted into the Republic Airways Cadet Program, the first step toward potential employment. In five years I feel confident that I will be in an established, successful position at a major airline on a clear path to Captain. I also acknowledge that while unforeseen twists and turns may alter such plans, and future opportunities may arise, my adaptability will serve to lead my efforts allowing for successful results. A scholarship from Bold.com will help to fund some of the flight costs in my training. I appreciate the opportunity to apply to this generous scholarship.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

Why I love nature, why I love beauty and warmth, why I stand in wonder at eagles and osprey soaring in the crisp blue sky or fish schooling in oceans or watching a newborn faun’s first wobbly steps, while her mother eats apples from my grandmother’s yard. You ask why I love nature and I respond, how could I not? I grew up on an island, affording me an endless array of natural wonders, some loud and bold like a large rutting stag, a flock of turkeys or noisy guinea hens running down the street, or sitting silently watching the butterflies darting among the flowers in our park. Each day held new adventures, new stories to tell, and new worlds to discover. Appreciating nature has always been simple, natural. Sitting in my bright yellow Kayak slicing through the still waters of a local bay, or walking along the glistening dunes at our beaches, watching piping plover flit from place to place while they busily build their nests. Nature surrounds me, engulfs me, and holds me close. Asking how I try to appreciate nature is akin to asking why I appreciate breathing or sight. One does not try to appreciate nature, a human being simply needs to remain aware of the wonder, the beauty that surrounds us. My passion and goal is to become a professional pilot. Flight has afforded me even more opportunities to appreciate the natural wonders of our planet, flying through fluffy clouds or looking down at lush forests while gliding thousands of feet in the air. Nature is part of me and I am part of it.

Empathy is not something that you can turn on and off at will, it is, or should be a part of your make-up, but we can improve our interpersonal relationships and even build stronger friendships through focusing on empathy. We should strive to listen to someone rather than try to talk to them. Often we tend to spend too much time trying to convince and impress others with our point of view and how smart we are and forget to give the other person the time and attention they deserve in presenting their point of view. It is often said God gave us two ears and but one mouth. It is extremely difficult to persuade someone if they are shut out of the conversation. I often use some mindfulness techniques to help with ensuring that I project empathy in my interpersonal interactions. Listen first, digest what was said then begin to structure your response, if it is required. I am not afraid to simply agree with or change my view if new information is presented. Vocalize my concern, allow others to see that I actually care. Never dismiss anything anyone believes as being wrong or ignorant. Absorb it, and tell them truthfully that you will think about it. Remember that empathy wins more arguments than shouting.

If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax. Simple to say, and probably true, but clearly not a quote applicable to my future career as an airline pilot. My grandfather, an admitted workaholic and dedicated devil’s advocate and purveyor of doom and gloom in every situation would tell you “relaxation is the mother of failure...the plaything of the lazy, the step-child of the forgotten” but I digress. Flying is how I relax, in spite of my grandfather’s dire warnings. As a pilot, relaxation needs to take a back seat to preparation, the confidence that I have done everything required to have a successful flight. This is a requirement in life, in all areas. Actors must learn their lines, doctors practice their skills and even chefs need to prevent burning dinner. Without this there can be no contentment and mental health will be elusive. So while relaxation may be something compartmentalized to exclusively free-time, it remains a vital part of a happy life. Specifically, I find peace and relaxation doing what I love, being among the clouds, alone in my plane, experiencing life as it should be, free of all outside stress, filled with wonder...unless there is a problem.

Happy is a man who can make a living by his hobby ~ George Bernard Shaw May I introduce you to the world’s next happy man? My hobby and my chosen career are, for the most part, one and the same, flying! I became enamored when I was twelve years old when I piloted my first flight and that love affair has blossomed and continues today as I continue my education. The idea that I can be paid to do what I love, travel to places I would otherwise never see, and have experiences that will fill my life with wonder, is a rare opportunity for anyone. It is true I am not there yet, I need to complete the steps to reach my goal, but during the journey I get to fly almost every day, expanding my knowledge and gaining more confidence as I progress. I am not sure if my hobby will be my career or my career will reflect my hobby, but either way, I will be making a living doing my doing what I love.

My goals for the future are still in the oven, as my grandmother would say. The ingredients are all mixed up, prepared and now it is a matter of patience, waiting for the results. In my case, I have spent the last several years with the goal of becoming a professional airline pilot. Diligently putting the ingredients together, making the batter and constantly improving the recipe, adding a little more education, a dash of added practice, a sprinkle of book learning, some advice from those more experienced and continually looking skyward in prayer. I have accomplished much in my journey. I was accepted into the BOCES Aviation Program, which I attended in addition to my regular high school schedule. Through this program, I received my Private Pilot License prior to graduation. I applied and was accepted into the best aeronautical universities. As a current sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue my progress toward my goal. I have achieved my Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot License, and am in the process of training to become a flight instructor. The path is clear but there is more to do. I am confident, that through hard work and concentration I will succeed.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree” ~ A Vietnamese Proverb That short quote captures the importance for each of us to remain aware, that we accomplish little without the influence, help, and support from others, and it is vitally important to both feel thankful and show gratitude as we travel through our life. The proverb presents the fruit as a final result but reminds us that the tree, with its many branches, bears the fruit only after others plant the seed and nurture it. In my life, I have so much to be thankful for and so many that deserve my gratitude. I could never address each and every event or person responsible for my journey. I must however acknowledge my parent’s unquestioning support, my grandparent’s introduction to my passion for flight, and everyone I have met along the way. I continually express my gratitude and fill my heart with thankfulness every day. I fully realize I have accomplished all that I have because of those around me. Every teacher, friend, and neighbor who have helped me and showed me how important community is, and how simple acts of kindness can change a person’s life and help them grow. I am most grateful for the lessons I have learned from watching my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s aide in our school system, selfishly helping mold young children with mental and physical disabilities, find their way in what must be a challenging world. She has given me the gift of compassion, empathy, and humility that will carry me throughout my life. While I appreciate all I have, I only hope that those around me understand the gratitude I have for each of them.

You pose two queries, the first, a simple request for a definition, the second, a tangent of the first. This is clearly an enormous task of someone just beginning his life’s journey, it is a challenge of the ages. The often repeated definition for the meaning of life accredited to such luminaries as William Shakespeare and Pablo Picasso among others is “to find your gift.” This can be seen as potentially a lifelong ambition, predicated on the belief that everyone has such a gift. However, in some circumstances the gift finds you. That is the case in my life. It began following my twelfth birthday. While growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that could capture my heart as well as my aptitude. Nothing clicked until my grandfather presented me with a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the impetus I needed, the window to my future, the perfect gift. Seeing my interest, my grandfather booked me an introductory flight lesson at a local airport. The day was finally here, my emotions were raging, moments later I was on the runway, picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, and climbing into that clear, crisp, golden day in May when my life gained direction. I was flying! My life had found meaning, and that has been my focus, my passion ever since, and continues in my studies at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve the neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Cadet, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates in the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders to another’s outlook.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. One thing I love about myself is that I am not afraid to follow my dreams. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve the neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Cadet, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates in the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders to another’s outlook.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve the neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Cadet, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates in the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders to another’s outlook.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

“This too shall pass” was an often repeated quote from my grandmother, who heard it from her grandmother, an immigrant Jew from Russia. I can only assume that throughout her hard life in Russia, during the restrictive rule of Joseph Stalin, the statement would be a hopeful refrain. But being a Jewish grandmother, she would also use the same statement not just in bad times, but also in good times, always fearing something bad could happen. Prepare for the worst, enjoy the best. In my life, this too shall pass, has remained a profound reminder in both times of hopelessness, times of sadness, and times of challenge. I can always remember my grandmother reminding everyone that this too shall pass, life will continue and we should not despair, hang on and look for the next opportunity, the next joy, be optimistic. This too shall pass is just a portion of her many words of wisdom from her to her family. Times were hard, they faced the Depression and World War II, which took their toll, but everyone knew that this too shall pass. This was only a beginning and everyone must look to a brighter future. Once the war was over she insisted that the boys get a good education which resulted in one becoming a judge, one becoming a successful pharmacist and the last becoming an engineer. Her dedication to family, always looking toward the future, her this too shall pass outlook has been my foundation, my belief that positive change is always possible. My path is set, my journey toward becoming a professional pilot on track, always remembering what I was told, we must not dwell on yesterday, but look to the future.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

Why I love nature, why I love beauty and warmth, why I stand in wonder at eagles and osprey soaring in the crisp blue sky or fish schooling in oceans or watching a newborn faun’s first wobbly steps, while her mother eats apples from my grandmother’s yard. You ask why I love nature and I respond, how could I not? I grew up on an island, affording me an endless array of natural wonders, some loud and bold like a large rutting stag, a flock of turkeys or noisy guinea hens running down the street, or sitting silently watching the butterflies darting among the flowers in our park. Each day held new adventures, new stories to tell, and new worlds to discover. Appreciating nature has always been simple, natural. Sitting in my bright yellow Kayak slicing through the still waters of a local bay, or walking along the glistening dunes at our beaches, watching piping plover flit from place to place while they busily build their nests. Nature surrounds me, engulfs me, and holds me close. Asking how I try to appreciate nature is akin to asking why I appreciate breathing or sight. One does not try to appreciate nature, a human being simply needs to remain aware of the wonder, the beauty that surrounds us. My passion and goal is to become a professional pilot. Flight has afforded me even more opportunities to appreciate the natural wonders of our planet, flying through fluffy clouds or looking down at lush forests while gliding thousands of feet in the air. Nature is part of me and I am part of it.

“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree” ~ A Vietnamese Proverb That short quote captures the importance for each of us to remain aware, that we accomplish little without the influence, help, and support from others, and it is vitally important to both feel thankful and show gratitude as we travel through our life. The proverb presents the fruit as a final result but reminds us that the tree, with its many branches, bears the fruit only after others plant the seed and nurture it. In my life, I have so much to be thankful for and so many that deserve my gratitude. I could never address each and every event or person responsible for my journey. I must however acknowledge my parent’s unquestioning support, my grandparent’s introduction to my passion for flight, and everyone I have met along the way. I continually express my gratitude and fill my heart with thankfulness every day. I fully realize I have accomplished all that I have because of those around me. Every teacher, friend, and neighbor who have helped me and showed me how important community is, and how simple acts of kindness can change a person’s life and help them grow. I am most grateful for the lessons I have learned from watching my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s aide in our school system, selfishly helping mold young children with mental and physical disabilities, find their way in what must be a challenging world. She has given me the gift of compassion, empathy, and humility that will carry me throughout my life. While I appreciate all I have, I only hope that those around me understand the gratitude I have for each of them.

You pose two queries, the first, a simple request for a definition, the second, a tangent of the first. This is clearly an enormous task of someone just beginning his life’s journey, it is a challenge of the ages. The often repeated definition for the meaning of life accredited to such luminaries as William Shakespeare and Pablo Picasso among others is “to find your gift.” This can be seen as potentially a lifelong ambition, predicated on the belief that everyone has such a gift. However, in some circumstances the gift finds you. That is the case in my life. It began following my twelfth birthday. While growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that could capture my heart as well as my aptitude. Nothing clicked until my grandfather presented me with a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the impetus I needed, the window to my future, the perfect gift. Seeing my interest, my grandfather booked me an introductory flight lesson at a local airport. The day was finally here, my emotions were raging, moments later I was on the runway, picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, and climbing into that clear, crisp, golden day in May when my life gained direction. I was flying! My life had found meaning, and that has been my focus, my passion ever since, and continues in my studies at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

My goals for the future are still in the oven, as my grandmother would say. The ingredients are all mixed up, prepared and now it is a matter of patience, waiting for the results. In my case, I have spent the last several years with the goal of becoming a professional airline pilot. Diligently putting the ingredients together, making the batter and constantly improving the recipe, adding a little more education, a dash of added practice, a sprinkle of book learning, some advice from those more experienced and continually looking skyward in prayer. I have accomplished much in my journey. I was accepted into the BOCES Aviation Program, which I attended in addition to my regular high school schedule. Through this program, I received my Private Pilot License prior to graduation. I applied and was accepted into the best aeronautical universities. As a current sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue my progress toward my goal. I have achieved my Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot License, and am in the process of training to become a flight instructor. The path is clear but there is more to do. I am confident, that through hard work and concentration I will succeed.

If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax. Simple to say, and probably true, but clearly not a quote applicable to my future career as an airline pilot. My grandfather, an admitted workaholic and dedicated devil’s advocate and purveyor of doom and gloom in every situation would tell you “relaxation is the mother of failure...the plaything of the lazy, the step-child of the forgotten” but I digress. Flying is how I relax, in spite of my grandfather’s dire warnings. As a pilot, relaxation needs to take a back seat to preparation, the confidence that I have done everything required to have a successful flight. This is a requirement in life, in all areas. Actors must learn their lines, doctors practice their skills and even chefs need to prevent burning dinner. Without this there can be no contentment and mental health will be elusive. So while relaxation may be something compartmentalized to exclusively free-time, it remains a vital part of a happy life. Specifically, I find peace and relaxation doing what I love, being among the clouds, alone in my plane, experiencing life as it should be, free of all outside stress, filled with wonder...unless there is a problem.

“I intend to live forever. So far, so good!” ~ Steven Wright That is possibly the most accurate statement I can make at this time. While I have a plan, to become a professional pilot, and I have spent most of my time focused on it, for several years my life has been a lot of future with only bits and pieces of here and now. It’s like when I took a road trip from Florida to California, we drove straight through, past some amazing scenery (the operative word “past”), reached Venice Beach, I got out, jumped into the Pacific Ocean for the first time, got back in the car and drove to Arizona, stopping only for gas. Almost twenty-four hours of driving with one goal in mind, to swim in the Pacific Ocean, and forgetting to enjoy everything in between. Until recently, that described my life, laser-focused. Focused on learning to fly, getting into the best college, accomplishing the steps needed to become a professional pilot, and ignoring life along the way. That was until the Pandemic when life was put on hold. It forced me to look at and appreciate everything around me. I have been missing too much, ignoring too much, and avoiding all the wonders afforded to me. Along the way, I realized I had missed so many things. As I reflect, that has guided me to live a fuller, more inclusive life, broaden my horizons and allow myself to “smell the roses” along the path. My goals remain important, but I now realize living life should and will be number one, and in the end will produce a happier, better, more well-rounded professional pilot, if that is where life takes me.

Happy is a man who can make a living by his hobby ~ George Bernard Shaw May I introduce you to the world’s next happy man? My hobby and my chosen career are, for the most part, one and the same, flying! I became enamored when I was twelve years old when I piloted my first flight and that love affair has blossomed and continues today as I continue my education. The idea that I can be paid to do what I love, travel to places I would otherwise never see, and have experiences that will fill my life with wonder, is a rare opportunity for anyone. It is true I am not there yet, I need to complete the steps to reach my goal, but during the journey I get to fly almost every day, expanding my knowledge and gaining more confidence as I progress. I am not sure if my hobby will be my career or my career will reflect my hobby, but either way, I will be making a living doing my doing what I love.

For several years, I have had the dream to become a professional pilot for a major airline. My dream began with my imagination, I became infatuated with flight and flying and gravitated toward that goal. I worked to achieve my Private Pilot License while still in high school. It became my single guiding light. As I travel through my journey to become an airline pilot, I have been exposed to a wider array of possibilities. My dream has grown to take on what I call life’s hitchhikers. These hitchhikers do not erase dreams, they simply magnify segments of my dreams and highlight characteristics that need to be adjusted. Today I am getting closer to that dream of becoming a professional pilot. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I am now training to become a flight instructor to help fast-track into the airline industry immediately after graduation. However, some hitchhikers have latched onto my dream. Choices and options I had not considered have entered my dreams, such as becoming a private / charter pilot, perhaps working as a pilot for a shipping airline, or exploring a myriad of other possible careers. These hitchhikers are not dissuading me in my path, but are enhancing my opportunities, giving me more avenues to explore while still keeping my dream of spending my life among the clouds.

Encouraging others, while very much a part of my life growing up, remains a natural characteristic in my day-to-day life. Beginning in elementary school, I watched as my mother, a one-on-one teacher’s assistant in my school, while she assisted students with special needs navigating their day. I saw the difference she made in their lives, how she guided them through times of stress and confusion, allowing them to succeed in the mainstream of daily learning. Her example has made a difference in my life. When my grandparents moved into a neighboring underserved community they immediately set out to improve the neighbor-to-neighbor relations. I helped them establish a local civic association that culminated in the re-building of an abandoned waterfront park that now boasts a new children’s playground and a three-million-dollar fishing pier. In high school, I was selected to be in an elite Aviation Program and quickly joined local clubs and associations geared toward aeronautics. As the President of one such organization, I mentored students who showed interest in aviation, encouraging them to continue on that path. As a sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, I continue to encourage my peers. Now having been named a Republic Airways Cadet, I again find myself mentoring my fellow classmates in the benefits of a career in flight. I was also recently appointed Vice President of Campus Outreach at Embry Riddle. I am looking forward to my new position in mentoring our newcomers. Mentoring and encouraging others will always be with me, I have learned that the slightest boost, the simplest comment can work wonders to another’s outlook.

Empathy is not something that you can turn on and off at will, it is, or should be a part of your make-up, but we can improve our interpersonal relationships and even build stronger friendships through focusing on empathy. We should strive to listen to someone rather than try to talk to them. Often we tend to spend too much time trying to convince and impress others with our point of view and how smart we are and forget to give the other person the time and attention they deserve in presenting their point of view. It is often said God gave us two ears and but one mouth. It is extremely difficult to persuade someone if they are shut out of the conversation. I often use some mindful techniques to help with ensuring that I project empathy in my interpersonal interactions. Listen first, digest what was said then begin to structure your response, if it is required. I am not afraid to simply agree with or change my view if new information is presented. Vocalize my concern, allow others to see that I actually care. Never dismiss anything anyone believes as being wrong or ignorant. Absorb it, and tell them truthfully that you will think about it. Remember that empathy wins more arguments than shouting.

My bucket list is divided into short-term and long-term lists. On my short-term list has always been travel. I have gone to the Bahamas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Italy, and most states in the US, still trying to get to Kentucky. I have traveled on cruise ships and jet skies, by private boats, trains, buses, and automobiles but my passion was, and is, flying and this last item has expanded to my long-term list. My long-term bucket list is more focused. It combines my interest in travel with my passion for flying. Today I am enrolled as a second-year student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and I have already earned my Private Pilot Certification, as well as my Commercial Pilot Certification. Upon graduation, I am looking forward to a career as a professional airline pilot. That is where your scholarship comes in. The cost of this program is far beyond my parent’s ability to pay. While they do what they can to support my dream, I need financial assistance from people like you. Achieving this bucket list item will open the doors to a future of family and happy life.

My decision to commit to a life of flight can best be described as opening a tightly wrapped package, layer upon layer, slowly unfolding, progressively becoming more challenging and rewarding. My name is Justin Chirco, I am a second-year Aeronautical Science student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. While I am focused on becoming the best professional pilot I can be, that final destination remains tightly wrapped and I realize there are many steps ahead in the process. Being selected as one of the scholarship recipients would be a major step forward in the journey, providing both needed financial assistance as well as validating my path. My life in flight was not always evident. While growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that would capture my heart as well as my aptitude. While my contemporaries played video games and sports, I floundered. Nothing clicked until my twelfth birthday when my grandfather opened a door to my future by gifting me a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the perfect gift, the direction I needed, and the meaning I was searching for, a window to my future. I became enamored with the flight program and with flying, even if it was simulated. Seeing my interest, my grandfather took the next step and booked a two-hour introductory flight training lesson for me at a local airport. Initially, it was to be on a simulator, but the simulator was down for repairs, so the instructor suggested we try the real thing. My mind was racing, it was actually happening, I was going to fly. He explained the pre-flight process, gave me some basic directions and when I started to board the plane, the instructor said “not that side today you are the pilot, sit over here!” Moments later I was on the runway, picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, clearing the trees, and climbing into that clear, crisp, golden day in May. This was the moment when my life gained direction. I was flying, and loving every second of it. Thus began my journey into a life in the clouds. My educational path at Embry Riddle is an extension of the path I have been on for over eight years. My interest in flight continued in high school, where I was accepted into the Aviation Professional Pilot Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. I traveled to the BOCES campus every day in addition to my regular high school schedule. I completed my flight training and graduated on the Honor Roll with a New Your State Advanced Regents Diploma along with my Private Pilot Certification. To date, I have earned both instrument and commercial ratings, and I am currently in the process of completing my CFI certification with plans to become an Embry Riddle instructor this year. My professional goals after graduation are a manifestation of my passion for flight, combined with my dedication to learning and becoming the best pilot I can be. As I move ahead I will financially contribute to my education by continuing my paid position as a dispatcher at Embry Riddle with plans of working as an instructor once my rating is completed. Attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has been paramount in helping me continue to work towards my goal of becoming an airline pilot. Thank you for this opportunity to introduce myself, and a special thank you to the donors for their generosity in providing much-needed support.

As a 2020 high school graduate, having the world shut down around you was quite terrifying. After the initial shock wore off, I was able to get myself back on track to attain my goal of graduating with my private pilot's license. Not the easiest task when flight schools shut down too. With the many connections I had made working at the flight school and having friends with airplanes, I was able to privately continue training and staying proficient. Once the flight school reopened, I continued training and received my license one week before graduation. I was the only student in my aviation high school to achieve this goal. I am now a Sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, studying Aeronautical Science and on a path to becoming an airline pilot. Starting college with my private pilot's license has put me ahead of my class and has made this college more affordable for me. The pandemic allowed me time to work on what was most important to me, and that is following my dreams.

To practice self-care, I attend church on Sundays. In addition to going to church, I also attend a weekly bible study group as well as lead one myself. Church came to me later in life. Growing up my family did not attend religious institutions, but I always felt like I was missing something. When I was 14 years old, I asked my mom to take me to church, and she did, without hesitation. Over the years, I tried different denominations until I found the one that I felt connected to. I had been attending this church for a year and was getting ready to leave my home state to go to college. While having a farewell lunch with my pastor, he started talking to me about finding a church in Florida once I was settled in school. He asked me to think about getting baptized when I found the establishment I would be attending. I told him that I would really like to get baptized at my home church, so the very next day, that is exactly what I did. This past summer I joined my church on a humanitarian effort in Puerto Rico for two weeks, and can't wait to go back next summer with them. We also attend many weekend retreats together. Finding church has impacted my life because it brings me peace. It was the one thing that had been missing in my life, and once I found it, I felt whole.

Over the past few years I have been learning to be a very patient person. As a flight student, it is especially important to learn this skill early on. With weather being so unpredictable, flight training is cancelled more often than one would imagine. I had to realize the hard way that the goals you set for yourself may not always come at the time you had hoped or planned. Our generation is growing up in a time where everything we want is at our fingertips. If you need information on something, all you have to do is take out your phone and search the internet. Want the newest gadget? Have it shipped overnight. It is not easy to learn to be patient when everything you ever needed was handed to you the instant you wanted it. With having so many disappointing cancelations on flight training and completing certain ratings I have learned patience is key to having peace of mind.

Deciding to choose a career in aviation or dedicating myself to becoming a professional pilot, as being “my choice” would be only partially true, it would be more accurate to say the career chose me. It all began quite innocently. While growing up I searched for my place, for a meaning or interest that captured my heart as well as my aptitude. While my contemporaries played video games and sports, I floundered. Nothing clicked until my twelfth birthday when my grandfather gifted me a flight simulation software program. Looking back, it was the impetus I needed, the window to my future, the perfect gift. I was immediately enamored with the program and with flying, even if it was only simulated. Seeing my interest, my grandfather took it to the next level, and booked me a two-hour introductory flight lesson at a local airport. It was almost surreal, as I started to board the plane, the instructor said “not that side, today you are the pilot, sit over here!” WHAT? I was to be the pilot? My emotions were raging, fear, excitement, curiosity, and then calm, focused on the instructor’s voice as he directed me. Moments later I was on the runway, picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, clearing the trees, and climbing into that clear, crisp, golden day in May when my life gained direction. I was flying, and loving every second of it. I immediately understood the often misquoted statement attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” This was the beginning of my fantastic journey into aviation, a journey that continues today and will continue into my career as a professional pilot. My educational path is an extension of the path I have been on for seven years. My interest in flight was nurtured in high school, where I was accepted into the Aviation Professional Pilot Program at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. I completed my flight training and graduated on the High School Honor Roll with a NYS Advanced Regents Diploma along with my Private Pilot Certification. Aviation has become more than a career choice, it is a vocation. It allows me to continually grow, and experience a full range of possibilities. My professional goals include becoming the best commercial pilot I can be and in addition I intend to volunteer what free time I may have, to humanitarian medical air service programs, allowing me to combine my aeronautical skills with the needs of the community. I am a sophomore attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where I earned my Instrument Rating and am scheduled to complete my Commercial Pilot Certification later this week. Additionally I am half way through Flight Instructor Certification training. I currently have 395 logged flight hours. Attaining the necessary certifications comes at a tremendous financial burden. The KG Aviation scholarship would allow me to stay on target and advance to the next step of obtaining a multi-engine certification.

As I started to board the two-seater plane, my emotions were raging, fear, excitement, curiosity, and then calm and focused on the instructor’s voice as he directed my actions. Moments later, I was picking up speed, heading down the runway, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, clearing the trees, and climbing into the clear, crisp, blue sky. I was flying! I was twelve years old when my grandfather booked me a one-hour introductory flight lesson at the local airfield. That simple gesture has given my life focus, sparks my imagination, and continues to drive my passion to become a professional pilot. From my first flight lesson, I was hooked. Finding one’s passion can be difficult, with life often leading us down different paths, through unforeseen adversities and emotional turmoil; often life’s pressures can get in the way of one's passion. I am blessed with unquestioned support from my family and friends, encouraging me in spite of their unspoken fear for my safety. My passion for flying is only magnified by their love. My college education will inspire me and expand my views of the world, allowing my passion for flying to become a well-rounded, successful human. While a college degree will allow me to move forward, it is important that I remain focused on my goals and not forget to enjoy the journey. Choosing the right institution is key to one's success. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the top colleges in this field, which makes it the right choice for me. I know my experience and contacts there will put me in touch with people and airlines that I need to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a professional pilot. Embry Riddle has already put me in contact with organizations where I can volunteer using my skills and passion. I am excited to have recently signed on to volunteer with Patient AirLift Services. PALS offer free air transportation for children, battling an illness to a doctor across the United States who can save their life. With our skills and donated time and resources, we can make a difference. When I am not studying and training for flight, I attend two different bible study groups through my church and college. I recently returned from spending 2 weeks in Puerto Rico on a humanitarian mission with Christ Community Church and my fellow classmates. It was such a humbling experience to participate in this project. Now with Covid-19 restrictions lifted on campus, I am planning to join other clubs and local events.

My life was a fairly normal one, being an only child in a blue-collar family, living in a loving household. The unexpected death of my grandmother, the years of illnesses of my grandfather, the destruction of their home after Hurricane Sandy - all obviously serious hardships, that will remain in my heart and mind forever, but they are events I can do little to change. In contrast, I recognized that there are personal hardships that are less life-changing, less long-lasting, more transient, and are able to be changed, corrected, or overcome. When my grandfather introduced me to flying at the age of 12, no one expected or understood the importance it would have on my life. At that flight lesson, I learned about a local high school aviation program and couldn’t wait until my junior year to apply. I was accepted into the program and it quickly became a focus in my life. In addition to learning to fly, I learned to manage my time between high school classes and flight training. I became part of a team of students and instructors who shared a similar interest. We were each moving together on a new, clear path that would transform my life. Joining the aviation program was, in hindsight, the beginning of the rest of my life. It has allowed me to gain vital experience, build up flight hours, and be accepted into three leading Aeronautical Universities. On a more personal note; I matured, gained confidence and leadership skills that would serve me well throughout my life. As a senior in the program, I wanted to do more, learn more, be more involved. I was hired for my first paying job as a Line Technician and Flight Dispatcher at the same airport where I took my first flight lesson. My job at the airport, plus the things I learned and contacts I made through aviation, lead me to believe I was ready to take the next step in my journey. I could take the money I was earning together with my saving, combined that with a small loan and purchase my own plane. I did my due diligence, spoke to everyone, researched various planes and their history, and had several mechanics check them out. Finally, I selected the plane, a 1966 Cessna 150 that had been owned and maintained by people I knew. While it was older than my parents, it checked out in good shape and it was within my tight budget. Everyone agreed it was a fine first plane, but they all warned there were no guarantees. The plan was, it would save me money in the long run by: moving me quickly toward my Private Pilot Certification, eliminating the cost of plane rentals, earn college credits, reducing my course load, and allowing me to log more flight hours that I could use toward future certifications. Everything was progressing as planned until problems began to appear. I needed to repair the landing gear, purchase new headphones, and upgrade to the required FAA technology all costing me money I did not have. This all culminated three months later when the engine of my newly purchased airplane BLEW. Major repairs were needed, repairs I could not afford. My savings were gone, an International Pandemic stopped the world from spinning; all schools were closed, the airport shut down, and I was laid off from my job. The loan was coming due and my plane was grounded… along with my Private Pilot’s Certification and all my plans. Once the initial shock subsided I evaluated my options. I spoke with the mechanics that had initially checked out the plane. They all agreed it was an old airplane; repairs would cost more than I could afford and would be more than the plane was worth. All looked lost until I spoke with an older semi-retired senior mechanic. He heard about the problem and said since he had owned nine Cessna’s, including MY plane 20 years ago; he would check it out. He felt he could repair the engine for an affordable fee. This amazing mentor would let me watch and help as he rebuilt my engine, and taught me so much about plane ownership, repairs, and just flying in general. He shared so many memories of his years working in the airlines and advised me on my future college choices. We worked on the plane, it took some time, we were progressing, but the clock was ticking. I had a coming deadline for both the loan and the required, expensive “yearly” inspection that was just weeks away. At this point, and with the wisdom my mentor shared, I realized that I was not ready to be a plane owner and decided to put it up for sale. Fortunately, the plane was finished quickly, and I was able to find a buyer within my timeframe. While I lost money, and I am still paying off the loan, I learned a valuable life lesson – making plans and having dreams is just the beginning, you must always be prepared for failure with a viable Plan B. In the future, I plan to keep an open door to any flight students looking for advice and will have stories to share myself, starting with this one.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded ~ Luke 12:48 I have always been involved in helping the surrounding community. I have spent time volunteering at local town and school events, as well as helping with local elections. But one effort that taught me the lesson that “small steps can bring big rewards” was my participation in the creation of the Osprey Pointe Civic Association. Even though at the time I was just thirteen years old, I along with my grandparents set out to foster a rebirth of a local failing community. The hamlet lied as a tiny peninsula jutting into the bay; For the most part, small homes on small lots were what remained from a once-bustling vacation area. The area needed help. The initial idea was to get people involved in an effort to improve the overall community and raise the spirits of what was a blue-collar “under-served” multi-racial area in our town. I was surprised, as were my family not everyone wanted to participate, my naive view of the world was shocking. I soon learned that people need a specific clear reason to be involved; simply wanting to improve the “pride of place” was not enough. At the end of the road, along the waterfront a long ignored and often forgotten park lay uncared for, crumbling from years of neglect, posing a variety of hazards environmentally, and visually. But the real problem was crime; drug dealers and other criminal elements had taken over the park. “This could be our hook, my grandfather said” and we began to focus on cleaning up the park. A small group of local children, along with just a couple of adults began cleaning the debris from the park. We then went door-to-door; inviting neighbors to a meeting at the park to show the now cleaner park was progressing and asked for help. While it took time and was a slow process we continued. As we began to make progress, people saw that we could succeed and some of the adults formed The Osprey Pointe Civic Association, now things began to happen. We were organized. Working with our Town Councilman and the Town Parks Department, supported by volunteer members of the community, we raised morale, as well as money, for many improvements. We weeded, mowed, removed graffiti and broken playground equipment. With the funds raised by hosting carnivals, outdoor movies in the park, and other fundraising efforts we were able to install new fencing to keep criminals out at night, we installed a video camera system and we improved the landscape by trimming back the overgrowth and planting flowers, donated by local nurseries…we even secured a major grant to purchase new playground equipment. The community was coming together and the elected officials noticed. The next target was the dilapidated unsafe fishing pier, once the centerpiece of the park it needed to be totally rebuilt. Surprising everyone, town officials stepped up and after over a year of construction, they rebuilt the entire Osprey Park Fishing Pier, a three million dollar expenditure. From such a meager beginning we were able to transform Osprey Park, from an unused blighted, overgrown, rundown drug hangout, to a shining example of what can be done through mutual cooperation. We were even able to rename the area as Osprey Pointe. This was my first experience in serving our community and it set me on a path I still follow. After superstorm Sandy, I spent weeks helping the people of Osprey Pointe. The area was devastated and flooded by the storm. I was able to bring much-needed cleaning and food items to the area through my contact with a group called “New Orleans Gives Back” a Louisiana-based charity who wanted to show their thanks for the help us “northerners” showed New Orleans after Katrina. Individual progress has been a goal of mine. While our family has gone through a series of unforeseen financial and emotional challenges recently. Sandy destroyed my grandparent’s home and my grandfather’s health went from bad to worse, forcing them to be dependent on family, but each day I remain thankful that I have such an amazingly supportive family. My parents have truly become the lens through which I now view my life. They have taught me that a combination of hard work, family, and community is more than a selfish endeavor, it is a shared gift that fills the soul. I am now enrolled in college on a path to becoming a commercial pilot. Experiencing how simple honest heartfelt efforts can pay such great rewards has led me to choose this career that will both allow me to follow my dream of flying, while still helping people along the way. I recently was accepted as a Mission Assistant for Patient Airlift Services (PALS) a free air service, flying sick or injured children to doctors or hospitals to meet their medical needs. I am grateful for this opportunity to help others while doing what I love – flying. Additionally, this summer I am excited to join my church on a humanitarian effort to help rebuild an area in Puerto Rico.

Grandpa is the one person who never says no, a deal we made when I was younger. “No is for your parents to tell you, not me.” He is the one who let me “drive” the car while sitting on his lap when I was just two years old. We took road trips together, traveling back roads through thirty-seven states and two countries, as we solved the world problems while listening to Willie Nelson. Most importantly when I turned twelve years old, he was the one that gave me the key to my future, the introduction to what would become my passion, the path I was to follow. My grandfather booked me an introductory flight lesson at the local airfield. That simple gesture has sparked my imagination, given my life focus, and continues to inspire me. I am now on a career path to become a commercial pilot. I know it will take more than dreams and desires, it will take years of training, education, and a lot of money; money my family is hard-pressed to provide. On a more personal note, recent events taught me a lesson that will serve me in life as well as in my chosen profession. A situation occurred on my last road trip with my grandfather. I was 16 years old and had just gotten my driver’s permit. We were on what was to be a two-week road trip; we stopped to have ice cream when I noticed he was rubbing his chest. I asked him if he was ok, he brushed it off with “it’s nothing, probably indigestion, I’ll pick up some Tums.” When he rubbed his chest again, I knew I had to do something, and sitting down to eat ice cream, was not it! “Grandpa you are 71 years old, you’re having chest pains we need to go to the hospital.” Being a stubborn Old Italian he said “NO” and sat down to finish his ice cream. I decided to take a stand and demanded, as much as a grandson can demand, “if you die and I did not bring you to the emergency room everyone will blame me” I told him, a bit overdramatic but it worked. I took the car keys and drove to the ER. I was suddenly thrust into a position of authority that both terrified me and forced me to make some important decisions. We arrived at the ER, I grabbed him a wheelchair, ran to the desk, and announced, “My grandpa is having chest pains, I think he’s having a heart attack!” The nurse must have seen the fear on my face because she rushed us to an examining room. Doctors and nurses surrounded him; they poked and prodded, took his blood work, and connected tubes everywhere. The doctor asked him if he ever had a heart attack, he said no. The doctor replied, “well you’re having one now.” Having a heart attack now! Will he die? Did I do the right thing? Should I have called 911 or forced him to go sooner? My mind was racing. The tests showed all of the main arteries around his heart were clogged and he was being prepped for surgery. In the hospital, with my family thousands of miles away, I felt more alone than ever before, but I gained solace from knowing I made the right decision and my grandfather was in good hands. He came through fine and remains my travel companion. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and never be afraid to make hard decisions. I am excited to be attending the first year of my educational journey. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University can be a multi-faceted smorgasbord of experiences, events, emotions, and interpersonal explorations. I hope to share time with a wide array of students and professors, with similar as well as diverse views of the world. I expect to be taught, challenged, and supported, to feel pressured as well as have fun, while knowing that each is a necessary step in forming a broader more diverse view of the world and of my community. College is the next step in my journey toward adulthood and it may present itself as the most ambitious challenge thus far in my life, however, I continue the hear my grandpa encouraging me each step of the way, telling me YES you can do it, YES you will persevere, YES you will achieve your goals...and reminding me to never say NO to the challenge.

I have always been involved in helping the surrounding community. I have spent time volunteering at local town and school events, as well as helping with local elections. But one effort that taught me the lesson that small steps can bring big rewards, was my participation in the creation of the Osprey Pointe Civic Association. Even though at the time I was just thirteen years old, I along with my grandparents set out to foster a rebirth of a local failing community. The hamlet lied as a tiny peninsula jutting into the bay; For the most part, small homes on small lots were what remained from a once-bustling vacation area. The area needed help. The initial idea was to get people involved in an effort to improve the overall community and raise the spirits of what was a blue-collar “under-served” multi-racial area in our town. I was surprised, as were my family not everyone wanted to participate, my naive view of the world was shocking. I soon learned that people need a specific clear reason to be involved; simply wanting to improve the “pride of place” was not enough. At the end of the road, along the waterfront a long ignored and often forgotten park lay uncared for, crumbling from years of neglect, posing a variety of hazards environmentally, and visually. But the real problem was crime; drug dealers and other criminal elements had taken over the park. “This could be our hook, my grandfather said” and we began to focus on cleaning up the park. A small group of local children, along with just a couple of adults began cleaning the debris from the park. We then went door-to-door; inviting neighbors to a meeting at the park to show the now cleaner park was progressing and asked for help. While it took time and was a slow process we continued. As we began to make progress, people saw that we could succeed and some of the adults formed The Osprey Pointe Civic Association, now things began to happen. We were organized. Working with our Town Councilman and the Town Parks Department, supported by volunteer members of the community, we raised morale, as well as money, for many improvements. We weeded, mowed, removed graffiti and broken playground equipment. With the funds raised by hosting carnivals, outdoor movies in the park, and other fundraising efforts we were able to install new fencing to keep criminals out at night, we installed a video camera system and we improved the landscape by trimming back the overgrowth and planting flowers, donated by local nurseries…we even secured a major grant to purchase new playground equipment. The community was coming together and the elected officials noticed. The next target was the dilapidated unsafe fishing pier, once the centerpiece of the park it needed to be totally rebuilt. Surprising everyone, town officials stepped up and after over a year of construction, they rebuilt the entire Osprey Park Fishing Pier, a three million dollar expenditure. From such a meager beginning we were able to transform Osprey Park, from an unused blighted, overgrown, rundown drug hangout, to a shining example of what can be done through mutual cooperation. We were even able to rename the area as Osprey Pointe. This was my first experience in serving our community and it set me on a path I still follow. After a hurricane, I spent weeks helping the people of Osprey Pointe. The area was devastated and flooded by the storm. I was able to bring much-needed cleaning and food items to the area through my contact with a group called “New Orleans Gives Back” a Louisiana based charity who wanted to show their thanks for the help us “northerners” showed New Orleans after Katrina. Individual progress has been a goal of mine. While our family has gone through a series of unforeseen financial and emotional challenges recently. Hurricane Sandy destroyed my grandparent’s home and my grandfather’s health went from bad to worse, forcing them to be dependent on family, but each day I remain thankful that I have such an amazingly supportive family. My parents have truly become the lens through which I now view my life. They have taught me that a combination of hard work, family, and community is more than a selfish endeavor, it is a shared gift that fills the soul. I am now enrolled in college on a path to becoming a commercial airline pilot. Experiencing how simple honest heartfelt efforts can pay such great rewards has led me to choose this career that will both allow me to follow my dream of flying, while still helping people along the way. I recently was accepted as a Mission Assistant for Patient Airlift Services (PALS) a free air-service, flying sick or injured children to doctors or hospitals to meet their medical needs. It is heartwarming that a sick child and their family will have peace of mind that they will not have to pay to get their child to the best care possible. I am grateful for this opportunity to help others while doing what I love – flying.

Grandpa is the one person who never says no, a deal we made when I was much younger. “No is for your parents to tell you, not me,” he would say, and that deal holds true today. He is the one who let me “drive” the car while sitting on his lap when I was just two years old. We took road trips together, traveling back roads through thirty-seven states and two countries, as we solved the world problems while listening to Willie Nelson. Most importantly when I turned twelve years old, he was the one that gave me the key to my future, the introduction to what would become my passion, the path I was to follow. My grandfather booked me an introductory flight lesson at the local airfield. That simple gesture has sparked my imagination, given my life focus, and continues to inspire me. I am now on a career path to become a professional commercial pilot. I know it will take more than dreams and desires, it will take years of training, education, and a lot of money; money my family is hard-pressed to provide. The Nikhil Desai Perspective scholarship can go a long way in opening the door to my dream of becoming a pilot, by lifting some of that financial burden. On a more personal note, recent events taught me a lesson that will serve me in life as well as in my chosen profession. A situation occurred on my last road trip with my grandfather. I was 16 years old and had just gotten my driver’s permit. We were on what was to be a two-week road trip; we stopped to have ice cream when I noticed he was rubbing his chest. I asked him if he was ok, he brushed it off with “it’s nothing, probably indigestion, I’ll pick up some Tums.” When he rubbed his chest again, I knew I had to do something, and sitting down to eat ice cream, was not it! “Grandpa you are 71 years old, you’re having chest pains we need to go to the hospital.” Being a stubborn Old Italian he said “NO” and sat down to finish his ice cream. I decided to take a stand and demanded, as much as a grandson can demand, “if you die and I did not bring you to the emergency room everyone will blame me” I told him, a bit overdramatic but it worked. I took the car keys and drove to the ER. I was suddenly thrust into a position of authority that both terrified me and forced me to make some important decisions. We arrived at the ER, I grabbed him a wheelchair, ran to the desk, and announced, “My grandpa is having chest pains, I think he’s having a heart attack!” The nurse must have seen the fear on my face because she rushed us to an examining room. Doctors and nurses surrounded him; they poked and prodded, took his blood work, and connected tubes everywhere. The doctor asked him if he ever had a heart attack, he said no. The doctor replied, “well you’re having one now.” Having a heart attack now! Will he die? Did I do the right thing? Should I have called 911 or forced him to go sooner? My mind was racing. The tests showed all of the main arteries around his heart were clogged and he was being prepped for surgery. In the hospital, with my family thousands of miles away, I felt more alone than ever before, but I gained solace from knowing I made the right decision and my grandfather was in good hands. He came through fine and remains my travel companion. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and never be afraid to make hard decisions. I am excited to be attending the first year of my educational journey. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University can be a multi-faceted smorgasbord of experiences, events, emotions, and interpersonal explorations. I hope to share time with a wide array of students and professors, with similar as well as divergent views of the world. I expect to be taught, challenged, and supported, to feel pressured as well as have fun, while knowing that each is a necessary step in forming a broader more diverse view of the world and of my community. College is the next step in my journey toward adulthood and it may present itself as the most ambitious challenge thus far in my life, however, I continue the hear my grandpa encouraging me each step of the way, telling me YES you can do it, YES you will persevere, YES you will achieve your goals...and reminding me to never say NO to the challenge.

As I started to board the two-seater plane, my emotions were raging, fear, excitement, curiosity, and then calm and focused on the instructor’s voice as he directed my actions. Moments later I was picking up speed, experiencing that amazing feeling of actually leaving the ground, clearing the trees, and climbing into the clear, crisp, blue sky. I was flying. I was just twelve years old when my grandfather booked me a one-hour introductory flight lesson at the local airfield. That simple gesture has given my life focus, sparks my imagination, and continues to drive my passion to become a professional pilot. Finding one’s passion can be difficult, with life often leading us down different paths, through unforeseen adversities and emotional turmoil; often life’s pressures can get in the way of one's passion. I am blessed with unquestioned support from my family and friends, encouraging me in spite of their unspoken fear for my safety. My passion for flying is only magnified by their love. I am now embarking on a four-year educational journey in pursuit of a degree in aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the next building block toward my final goal of becoming a Commercial Pilot. I may encounter a multitude of progressive hurdles and challenges during this exploration of the opportunities presented to me. I know I will adjust my goals perhaps even expand my passions, but I also know I will succeed in collecting vital building blocks that will serve me today and into the future. My college education will inspire me and expand my views of the world, allowing my passion for flying to be but one building block in my becoming a well-rounded successful human. While a college degree will allow me to move forward, it is important that I remain focused on my goals and not forget to enjoy the journey. It did not take me long to find solid groups of friends and teammates. I have my suitemates, which became instant brothers. I have found my church friends that I gather with for a weekly bible study. I have connected with study partners for this crazy year of on-line, in person, and hybrid learning. One of the most important connections was finding the right flight instructor. Choosing the right institution is key to one's success. Embry-Riddle is one of the top colleges in the field of aviation, which makes it the right choice for me. I know my experience and contacts there will put me in touch with the people and airlines that I need to reach my ultimate goals. Embry Riddle has also put me in contact with organizations where I can volunteer using my skills and passion. I am excited to have recently signed on to volunteer with Patient AirLift Services (PALS). PALS offer free air transportation for sick children, battling an illness to a doctor across the United States who can save their life. With our skills and donated time and resources, we can make a difference.

Grandpa is the one person who never says no, a deal we made when I was younger. “No is for your parents to tell you, not me,” this deal holds true today. He is the one who let me “drive” the car while sitting on his lap when I was two years old. We took road trips together, traveling back roads through thirty-seven states and two countries. Most importantly when I turned twelve, he was the one that gave me the key to my future when he booked me an introductory flight lesson. That simple gesture has sparked my imagination, given my life focus, and continues to inspire me. I am now on a career path to become a professional commercial pilot. I know it will take more than dreams and desires; it will take years of training, education, and a lot of money. I have successfully attained my Private Pilot License, even with the restrictions during the pandemic. Recent events taught me a lesson that will serve me in life as well as in my profession. I was sixteen-years-old and just received my driver’s permit. Grandpa and I were on a two-week road trip; we stopped to have ice cream when I noticed him rubbing his chest. I asked him if he was ok, he brushed it off with “it’s nothing, probably indigestion.” When he rubbed his chest again, I knew I had to do something, and sitting down to eat ice cream, was not it! “Grandpa you are 71 years old and having chest pains, we need to go to the hospital.” Being a stubborn Old Italian he said “NO” and sat down to finish his ice cream. I decided to take a stand and demand that we go to the emergency room. I told him, “if you die and I didn’t bring you to the ER everyone will blame me,” a bit overdramatic but it worked. I took the car keys and drove to the ER. I was suddenly thrust into a position of authority that both terrified me and forced me to make some important decisions. We arrived at the ER, grabbed a wheelchair, ran to the desk, announced, “I think my grandpa is having a heart attack!” Heart Attack! That was the first time I said the words out loud. The nurse must have seen the fear on my face because she rushed us to an examining room. Doctors surrounded him; they poked and prodded, took his blood, and connected tubes everywhere. The tests showed all of the main arteries around his heart were clogged and he was being prepped for surgery. In the hospital, with my family thousands of miles away, I felt more alone than ever before, but I gained solace from knowing I made the right decision, my grandfather was in good hands. He came through fine and remains my travel companion today. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and to never be afraid to make hard decisions.

“The seeds of leadership must be planted in fertile soil and be nurtured throughout one's life”-Anonymous Leadership and the act of being a leader are often conflated. The term leadership is generally assigned to the act of leading; it does not automatically confer the title of “leader” on those who lead. A true leadership role is not assigned but earned by those who, by their ideas or actions can inspire others toward a goal. This comes naturally to some and is elusive to others, but often leadership is simply the result of seeing a problem or goal and moving toward it, while inspiring others to join the crusade, taking the risk – ignoring the reward. My initial exposure to leadership came early in my life when my grandparents moved to an underserved community. This area, while being a naturally beautiful waterfront community had fallen on hard times. Many of the neighbors had lost hope and the homes and surrounding reflected that malaise. People had given up. Being a young child at the time and full of enthusiasm I was drawn to the local waterfront park at the end of the road. It had been abandoned with a rotting unsafe fishing dock, rusted remnants of a children’s playground, broken toilet facilities, a burned down sun shelter, and little else. But I loved it. I went there every chance I got; I watched sea birds and Osprey come and go, walked along what was left of a beach, skipped rocks on the water, and let my mind wander. During one of my visits, a tall, impressive-looking man greeted me at the broken gate. He acknowledged me with a big smile and introduced himself a Keith Romaine, Town Councilman. I had no idea what that was, but I knew it sounded important. He recalled growing up nearby and remembered the park as a great place to visit with a sturdy fishing dock and children’s playground, but he acknowledged that in recent times the town had allowed it to fall into disrepair. In my naivety, I asked why and he reluctantly said it would take a lot of money and the Town did not see it as a priority. I told my Grandmother and she agreed that something had to be done. She realized that alone we would have little effect on the town government, so she and I became “The Osprey Pointe Civic Association” membership TWO. Now as a Civic Association we could demand repairs at the park we named Osprey Park. We went door-to-door inviting people to come to a meeting to discuss the improvements to the park and in turn the community. The response was not what I had expected. “Forget it, this place is never going to get better”, they told me, and that my grandmother should just mind her own business. I was shocked and saddened but my grandma understood and said that people must see what can be done before they believed and join the effort. I suggested maybe the kids in the area could help. They would love to see the park cleaned up and rebuilt, and so the Osprey Park Junior Civic Association was born. I recruited neighborhood kids to clean the park ourselves. Starting small we removed the trash, cleared the pathways, raked the beach, and tried to make the place look better. The local newspaper wrote articles, politicians took notice, and the neighbors saw our efforts, meager as they were, and slowly offered to help. They came with lawnmowers and mowed the lawns and planted gardens. Gradually the community began to show interest, resulting in more people and families joining Osprey Pointe Civic Association. The results were amazing. The town took notice of the efforts and sent town workers in to help, after many meetings and requests, the park was being maintained and a new, multi-million dollar fishing dock was built, a new children’s playground installed, landscaping and repairs done. To date, more than three million dollars in improvements have been made to Osprey Park. And it now stands as “the most beautiful park in the town.” All because one person did something and to me that is leadership. Taking the initiative, working toward a goal, and enlisting others to follow your lead and together solve a problem or simply make a difference. I saw that leadership had little to do with leading and more to do with simply “doing what needs to be done” and inspiring others to join you in your effort. My initial experience at Osprey Pointe has served me well. I am comfortable taking charge, a characteristic that will help me lead in my chosen field. I am now enrolled in Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and looking forward to becoming a commercial pilot and tackling the challenges ahead.

Grandpa is the one person who never says no, a deal we made when I was younger. “No is for your parents to tell you, not me,” this deal holds true today. He is the one who let me “drive” the car while sitting on his lap when I was two-years-old. We took road trips together, traveling back roads through thirty-seven states and two countries. Most importantly when I turned twelve, he was the one that gave me the key to my future when he booked me an introductory flight lesson. That simple gesture has sparked my imagination, given my life focus, and continues to inspire me. I am now on a career path to become a professional commercial pilot. I know it will take more than dreams and desires; it will take years of training, education, and a lot of money. I have successfully attained my Private Pilot License, even with the restrictions during the pandemic. Recent events taught me a lesson that will serve me in life as well as in my profession. I was sixteen-years-old and just received my driver’s permit. Grandpa and I were on a two-week road trip; we stopped to have ice cream when I noticed him rubbing his chest. I asked him if he was ok, he brushed it off with “it’s nothing, probably indigestion.” When he rubbed his chest again, I knew I had to do something, and sitting down to eat ice cream, was not it! “Grandpa you are 71 years old and having chest pains, we need to go to the hospital.” Being a stubborn Old Italian he said “NO” and sat down to finish his ice cream. I decided to take a stand and demand that we go to the emergency room. I told him, “if you die and I didn’t bring you to the ER everyone will blame me,” a bit overdramatic but it worked. I took the car keys and drove to the ER. I was suddenly thrust into a position of authority that both terrified me and forced me to make some important decisions. We arrived at the ER, grabbed a wheelchair, ran to the desk, announced, “I think my grandpa is having a heart attack!” Heart Attack! That was the first time I said the words out loud. The nurse must have seen the fear on my face because she rushed us to an examining room. Doctors surrounded him; they poked and prodded, took his blood, and connected tubes everywhere. The tests showed all of the main arteries around his heart were clogged and he was being prepped for surgery. In the hospital, with my family thousands of miles away, I felt more alone than ever before, but I gained solace from knowing I made the right decision, my grandfather was in good hands. He came through fine and remains my travel companion today. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and never be afraid to make hard decisions. I hear my grandpa encouraging me each step of the way, telling me YES you can do it, YES you will persevere, YES you will achieve your goals...and reminding me to never say NO to the challenge.

Grandpa is the one person who never says no, a deal we made when I was younger. “No is for your parents to tell you, not me,” this deal holds true today. He is the one who let me “drive” the car while sitting on his lap when I was two-years-old. We took road trips together, traveling back roads through thirty-seven states and two countries. Most importantly when I turned twelve, he was the one that gave me the key to my future when he booked me an introductory flight lesson. That simple gesture has sparked my imagination, given my life focus, and continues to inspire me. I am now on a career path to become a professional commercial pilot. I know it will take more than dreams and desires; it will take years of training, education, and a lot of money. I have successfully attained my Private Pilot License, even with the restrictions during the pandemic. Recent events taught me a lesson that will serve me in life as well as in my profession. I was sixteen-years-old and just received my driver’s permit. Grandpa and I were on a two-week road trip; we stopped to have ice cream when I noticed him rubbing his chest. I asked him if he was ok, he brushed it off with “it’s nothing, probably indigestion.” When he rubbed his chest again, I knew I had to do something, and sitting down to eat ice cream, was not it! “Grandpa you are 71 years old and having chest pains, we need to go to the hospital.” Being a stubborn Old Italian he said “NO” and sat down to finish his ice cream. I decided to take a stand and demand that we go to the emergency room. I told him, “if you die and I didn’t bring you to the ER everyone will blame me,” a bit overdramatic but it worked. I took the car keys and drove to the ER. I was suddenly thrust into a position of authority that both terrified me and forced me to make some important decisions. We arrived at the ER, grabbed a wheelchair, ran to the desk, announced, “I think my grandpa is having a heart attack!” Heart Attack! That was the first time I said the words out loud. The nurse must have seen the fear on my face because she rushed us to an examining room. Doctors surrounded him; they poked and prodded, took his blood, and connected tubes everywhere. The tests showed all of the main arteries around his heart were clogged and he was being prepped for surgery. In the hospital, with my family thousands of miles away, I felt more alone than ever before, but I gained solace from knowing I made the right decision, my grandfather was in good hands. He came through fine and remains my travel companion today. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and never be afraid to make hard decisions.

Is using my savings to buy a 54 year old airplane at age 17 BOLD? Maybe, but I did it to follow my dream of becoming a commercial pilot. Paying a local flight school to book the hours I needed to get my Private Pilot Certification was off the table; the Pandemic removed that option. My choice was either not obtain my certification, and pay over $35,000 more in tuition or find an alternative. I earned my certification, enrolled in college, saved on tuition and sold that old plane for what I paid for it...Sometimes Bold is what you need.