As soon as I felt the wheels lift off the runway during my first flight in a Cessna-172, I knew that aviation would become one of my life’s greatest passions. Following this young eagle flight, I was fortunate to be connected with a local group of mentors becoming a member of a local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter in Shell Lake, Chapter 631. From here I was able to connect with and become a member of a local aviation chapter in Cumberland, Wisconsin, Lake Point Aero Club and Island City Aero Club. Through further exploration, I then became an active member of a Women’s Aviation chapter locally, Stars of the North via Woodbury, Minnesota, as well as Women in Aviation. Eagerly I participated in many young eagle’s events, monthly chapter meetings, as well as monthly educational meetings to expand my knowledge in aviation. Through this involvement I not only had the opportunity to learn, I also developed meaningful connections, lifelong mentorships, and the passion to inspire the youth. I have since earned my Private Pilot License shortly after my 17th birthday and this has proved to me why everything I did was worth it. Currently as a freshman at the University of North Dakota, I am working towards my commercial certificate and instrument rating. As I advance in my aviation career by obtaining needed certifications, I am most looking forward to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. I believe flight instructors hold a critical role in aviation, as they shape not only a student pilots technical skills, but also their confidence, and safety mindset. My goal is to ensure that every student I teach feels supported, safe, and capable through every stage of training. By focusing on implementing proper safety, communication, and decision-making skills, I hope to help create skilled and responsible pilots who will carry those values throughout their career and pass them onto others. Growing up I was always taught to strive to be a leader and to demonstrate all the qualities that a true leader possesses. Leadership is a skill and moral that my family has always deeply valued and it has become a part of who I am. To me leadership is not about receiving titles or recognition; it is about setting an example through your daily actions that may go unrecognized. I believe the most important qualities a leader should possess include effective communication skills, the ability to problem solve, and most of all for a leader to have a genuine passion for what they do. Throughout my extracurricular activities, sports, and volunteer work, I have always made it my goal to display these traits and to encourage my peers to do the same. As a leader demonstrating effective communication skills is one of many important qualities. Situations can become more prone to conflict when there is unclear communication. I have had the opportunity to strength my communication skills while volunteering as a youth figure skating coach. Communicating with the youth skaters as well as their parents has allowed me to adjust my communication style tailored to my audience. Whether it’s explaining drills, motivating young skaters after not passing a level, or keeping parents informed about an upcoming show. With a younger audience, such as the students, I ensure to keep my tone positive and encouraging. While with an older audience, such as the parents, I am clear, detailed, and professional. Throughout my coaching and teaching experiences I have learned how essential this skill is. Each of my life experiences, challenges, and successes has shaped the kind of leader I continue to strive to be.

As soon as I felt the wheels lift off the runway during my first flight, I knew that aviation would become one of my life’s greatest passions. I have always been passionate about aviation, but it wasn't until a tragic aircraft accident that happened within our family where I shifted my passion from not only aviation but the importance of the safety aspect of it as well. I have taken many opportunities to install the importance of aviation safety into not only myself, but other aviation enthusiasts as well. Following this young eagle flight, I was fortunate to be connected with a local group of mentors becoming a member of a local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Wisconsin Chapter 631. From here I was able to connect with and become a member of a local aviation chapter in Cumberland, Wisconsin, Lake Point Aero Club, as well as the local chapter in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Through further exploration, I then became an active member of a Women’s Aviation chapter locally, Stars of the North via Woodbury, Minnesota, as well as Women in Aviation. Eagerly I participated in many young eagle’s events, monthly chapter meetings, as well as monthly educational meetings to expand my knowledge in aviation. Through this involvement I not only had the opportunity to learn, I also developed meaningful connections, lifelong mentorships, and the passion to inspire the youth. As a first-generation pilot, I have been fortunate to have mentors guide me toward achieving my dream. I, as well as others that engage in aviation, are aware of the financial challenges that come with pursuing a career in this field. As an EAA Ray Scholar, I was fortunate to receive funding for my Private Pilot License which has been critical in helping me take the first step toward my career goal. During this time holding one part-time job also turned into three part-time jobs to begin saving toward my education. In addition to learning to overcome the financial challenge, as a student pilot who started flight training as a junior in high school, I began to understand the time dedication. Aviation now my focus, I went from being involved in three high school sports to being active in one. I then was able to adjust my high school schedule from taking all high school classes in person to be approved to move into taking a mix of high school courses online in addition to beginning college courses. I demonstrated discipline by turning into an aviation student who spent many hours studying which in result lead to missing out occasional social gatherings. I realized why my mentors would frequently use the saying “If it was easy everyone would do it”, and I now say the same thing. Although flight training completely changed my schedule and the way I went about each day, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it and become one step closer to the lifelong career that carries much of my passion. I have since earned my Private Pilot License on September 20th, 2026, shortly after my 17th birthday and this has proved to me why everything I did was worth it. Recently I have been utilizing my license to build flight hours and confidence in the air, as well as to share with others the joy of aviation by providing flights to those who have supported me thus far. My ultimate career goal is to become a pilot who connects people with the places they love, while also mentoring and becoming a role model for future aviators.

As soon as I felt the wheels lift off the runway during my first flight, I knew that aviation would become one of my life’s greatest passions. Following this young eagle flight, I was fortunate to be connected with a local group of mentors becoming a member of a local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Wisconsin Chapter 631. From here I was able to connect with and become a member of a local aviation chapter in Cumberland, Wisconsin, Lake Point Aero Club, as well as the local chapter in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Through further exploration, I then became an active member of a Women’s Aviation chapter locally, Stars of the North via Woodbury, Minnesota, as well as Women in Aviation. Eagerly I participated in many young eagle’s events, monthly chapter meetings, as well as monthly educational meetings to expand my knowledge in aviation. Through this involvement I not only had the opportunity to learn, I also developed meaningful connections, lifelong mentorships, and the passion to inspire the youth. As a first-generation pilot, I have been fortunate to have mentors guide me toward achieving my dream. I, as well as others that engage in aviation, are aware of the financial challenges that come with pursuing a career in this field. As an EAA Ray Scholar, I was fortunate to receive funding for my Private Pilot License which has been critical in helping me take the first step toward my career goal. During this time holding one part-time job also turned into three part-time jobs to begin saving toward my education. In addition to learning to overcome the financial challenge, as a student pilot who started flight training as a junior in high school, I began to understand the time dedication. Aviation now my focus, I went from being involved in three high school sports to being active in one. I then was able to adjust my high school schedule from taking all high school classes in person to be approved to move into taking a mix of high school courses online in addition to beginning college courses. I demonstrated discipline by turning into an aviation student who spent many hours studying which in result lead to missing out occasional social gatherings. I realized why my mentors would frequently use the saying “If it was easy everyone would do it”, and I now say the same thing. Although flight training completely changed my schedule and the way I went about each day, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it and become one step closer to the lifelong career that carries much of my passion. I have since earned my Private Pilot License on September 20th, shortly after my 17th birthday and this has proved to me why everything I did was worth it. Recently I have been utilizing my license to build flight hours and confidence in the air, as well as to share with others the joy of aviation by providing flights to those who have supported me thus far. My ultimate career goal is to become a pilot who connects people with the places they love, while also mentoring and becoming a role model for future aviators. I aspire to make a meaningful impact on the industry by sharing my love for aviation, promoting safety, and inspiring others to pursue their own in and outside of aviation.