Mental health is one of the most important topics for my generation. With all the pressure to succeed, stay connected, and have everything figured out, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A lot of people my age are carrying more than they let on. I know I was. When my dad passed away in 2022, it hit me hard. He was my role model, a Navy veteran, and the person I looked up to most. Losing him so suddenly changed everything. Life didn’t pause for me to process it. I had to keep going with school, work, and my goal of becoming a pilot, all while trying to make sense of a huge loss. I didn’t fall apart, but I wasn’t okay either. I kept things to myself and pushed through, because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do. But pain has a way of catching up with you. Eventually, I realized I needed to face it, not just carry it. I talked more with my mom and a few close friends. I started being honest about how I felt, and slowly, I got better at handling everything that came with it. That experience didn’t break me, it made me stronger. It taught me how to deal with heavy things without shutting down. It gave me a deeper understanding of what people around me might be going through, even if they don’t say it out loud. It made me more aware, more patient, and more grounded, qualities that matter a lot in both life and aviation. Now, as I prepare to start my aviation studies at Lynn University, I carry that strength with me. I’ve logged over 40 hours of flight time already, and every time I fly, I feel focused and clear. Flying reminds me that I’m capable, no matter what I’ve been through. That mindset has shaped my goals and the kind of pilot I want to be. Mental health matters not just because people are struggling, but because how we handle our challenges defines how we show up for others. As a future commercial pilot and hopefully a Certified Flight Instructor, I want to be someone others can count on, calm, clear-headed, and kind. I want to create an environment where people don’t feel like they have to hide what they’re going through. What I went through with losing my dad will always be a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. I got back up. I kept going. And I’m still going, with more purpose and more heart than ever.

I don’t remember the first time I looked up at a plane and felt something click inside me, but I do remember the moment I knew I had to become a pilot. I was sitting in the right seat of a Cessna 172 during one of my first flight lessons. As we lifted off the runway, the wheels left the ground, and for the first time, I wasn’t just watching the sky, I was in it. That moment changed everything. It wasn’t just thrilling. It was peaceful. Focused. Like I had found the one place where I felt fully in control of both myself and my future. My name is Luke Monckton, and I’m an incoming freshman at Lynn University majoring in aviation. I’ve already logged over 40 hours of flight time, and every time I take off, I feel more sure that I’m meant to be in this field. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I plan to earn my private pilot license, then continue through my instrument rating, commercial license, and eventually my ATP certification to fly for a major airline like Delta. I grew up in Glenview, Illinois, and my journey hasn’t been without challenges. My dad passed away unexpectedly in 2022. He was a Navy veteran and the most inspiring person in my life. Since then, it’s been just me, my sister, and my mom. She’s done everything she can to support us, but things have been financially tough. I’ve worked hard to save money, earn scholarships, and focus on my goals so that my mom doesn’t have to carry this burden alone. Losing my dad made me grow up quickly, but it also gave me a fire that hasn’t gone out since. I believe leadership isn’t just about being in charge, it’s about stepping up when others hesitate. It’s about showing up, being reliable, and making people feel safe in uncertain moments. That’s exactly what being a pilot is. When you're behind the controls of an aircraft, your job isn’t just to fly, it’s to lead, to make decisions, to keep everyone calm and safe. That responsibility is something I welcome, not something I fear. I’ve led in smaller ways, too. At 16, I was balancing school and working over 95 hours a week between classes and jobs. I helped raise my younger sister when my mom needed the support. I’ve stayed motivated without needing to be pushed, and I’ve learned how to stay calm in moments of stress, qualities I know will make me a strong pilot and a leader in the air and on the ground. I want to be remembered not just as a great pilot, but as someone who made it easier for others to follow the same path. Eventually, I hope to become a Certified Flight Instructor and help the next generation of pilots take off. I also want to give back by supporting students like me, people who work hard but just need that one opportunity to make everything possible. This scholarship would mean more than just financial help. It would be a sign that someone believes in me, just like I believe in myself. Thank you for considering my story and my future.