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| Encouraging more women and girls to have an interest in aviation... |
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Estrella:
Flying has been my dream ever since I could remember. Aviation has been a passion I’ve
developed growing up in the John F. Kennedy Airport community. Since I was a little girl, I
would sit in my backyard and enjoy watching commercial jets fly over my house every few
minutes. I loved planes, and went to Aviation High School to learn as much as I could about
them through the eyes of a mechanic.
I became a cadet in Aviation High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(AFJROTC). After two years in the program, I was selected to attend Honors Camp and went
on an orientation flight in a Cessna 172 in New Mexico. While I was flying, I had the privilege
to witness the Air Force Thunderbirds soar right pass me. I was shocked and amazed that I
had seen a moment of their practice, butterflies were in my stomach, and my skin started to
tingle. At that moment, my dream changed from flying in the airlines to flying in that F-16
cockpit faster than the speed of sound for the world’s greatest Air Force.
Although my dream sounded humorous to others, I took every opportunity possible to get
closer to my goal. I did everything I could to increase my chances of gaining acceptance to the
United States Air Force Academy so I could one day become a pilot in the Air Force. I studied
hard and spent most of my day at school, either participating in AFJROTC activities and
community services, training with the track team or working with the robotics team until 9 at
night. Eventually, the robotics team went to nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, I became the
AFJROTC Wing Commander, Drill Competition Team Commander, Varsity Girls Track Team Co-
Captain and Salutatorian of my graduating class. The hard work and effort had paid off and I
also gained great and unforgettable experiences.
I have had many inspirations which push me to reach my dream. After my eighteenth birthday,
my grandma gave me the financial opportunity to start flying. She had worked since she was a
child in Taiwan and never attended one day of school or even had a vacation, yet she
sacrificed what she had to give me a chance to fly. I promised her that I would one day fly her
on vacation, and intend to keep that promise. My family has worked so hard to give me a
decent life since they moved from Honduras and Taiwan and I hope to also make them proud.
Much like in the aviation industry, the majority of Aviation High School’s students are male.
Working in this environment has inspired me to try even harder to prove not only to others,
but to myself that females had the capability of any other male to succeed in aviation. Females
could overhaul engines, change aircraft tires and turn a wrench just as well as the guys.
At the end of this summer I started flying in a Piper Archer II and fell in love even more with
flying. I found it amazing that just 104 years ago, people could only dream of flying, and I was
living that dream. I also found it inspirational, that just two years ago, a female Thunderbird
pilot was unheard of, until Nicole Malachowski filled in #3 Right Wing position. Girls With Wings
has inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot, as I read the biographies of so many
accomplished women in aviation. It is very important to encourage other females to break free
from traditional roles and to live up to their potential.
In March I’ll find out if I am accepted to the Air Force Academy, but I am still working hard to do
my best and pursue my dreams. I just received my Airframe license this past summer and am
currently in the 5th year program in the JFK Annex to earn my Powerplant license. I am also an
intern in the JFK Air Traffic Control Tower to learn the ropes of air traffic operation. As a
student pilot, I am trying to earn my private pilot’s license before I go to the Academy. I am
grateful to have been fortunate enough to work with aircraft mechanics, pilots, and air traffic
controllers. I know for sure that the world of aviation is an interesting and fun place to work.
So far I’ve learned that giving up is never an option; you should always try your hardest and
shoot for the top. Determination and perseverance are vital for success. Take obstacles as the
disguise for hurdles of courage and determination. Most importantly, believe in yourself, once
you set a goal, stay focused and take every opportunity you have to achieve your dream.
Flying has been my dream ever since I could remember. Aviation has been a passion I’ve
developed growing up in the John F. Kennedy Airport community. Since I was a little girl, I
would sit in my backyard and enjoy watching commercial jets fly over my house every few
minutes. I loved planes, and went to Aviation High School to learn as much as I could about
them through the eyes of a mechanic.
I became a cadet in Aviation High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(AFJROTC). After two years in the program, I was selected to attend Honors Camp and went
on an orientation flight in a Cessna 172 in New Mexico. While I was flying, I had the privilege
to witness the Air Force Thunderbirds soar right pass me. I was shocked and amazed that I
had seen a moment of their practice, butterflies were in my stomach, and my skin started to
tingle. At that moment, my dream changed from flying in the airlines to flying in that F-16
cockpit faster than the speed of sound for the world’s greatest Air Force.
Although my dream sounded humorous to others, I took every opportunity possible to get
closer to my goal. I did everything I could to increase my chances of gaining acceptance to the
United States Air Force Academy so I could one day become a pilot in the Air Force. I studied
hard and spent most of my day at school, either participating in AFJROTC activities and
community services, training with the track team or working with the robotics team until 9 at
night. Eventually, the robotics team went to nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, I became the
AFJROTC Wing Commander, Drill Competition Team Commander, Varsity Girls Track Team Co-
Captain and Salutatorian of my graduating class. The hard work and effort had paid off and I
also gained great and unforgettable experiences.
I have had many inspirations which push me to reach my dream. After my eighteenth birthday,
my grandma gave me the financial opportunity to start flying. She had worked since she was a
child in Taiwan and never attended one day of school or even had a vacation, yet she
sacrificed what she had to give me a chance to fly. I promised her that I would one day fly her
on vacation, and intend to keep that promise. My family has worked so hard to give me a
decent life since they moved from Honduras and Taiwan and I hope to also make them proud.
Much like in the aviation industry, the majority of Aviation High School’s students are male.
Working in this environment has inspired me to try even harder to prove not only to others,
but to myself that females had the capability of any other male to succeed in aviation. Females
could overhaul engines, change aircraft tires and turn a wrench just as well as the guys.
At the end of this summer I started flying in a Piper Archer II and fell in love even more with
flying. I found it amazing that just 104 years ago, people could only dream of flying, and I was
living that dream. I also found it inspirational, that just two years ago, a female Thunderbird
pilot was unheard of, until Nicole Malachowski filled in #3 Right Wing position. Girls With Wings
has inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot, as I read the biographies of so many
accomplished women in aviation. It is very important to encourage other females to break free
from traditional roles and to live up to their potential.
In March I’ll find out if I am accepted to the Air Force Academy, but I am still working hard to do
my best and pursue my dreams. I just received my Airframe license this past summer and am
currently in the 5th year program in the JFK Annex to earn my Powerplant license. I am also an
intern in the JFK Air Traffic Control Tower to learn the ropes of air traffic operation. As a
student pilot, I am trying to earn my private pilot’s license before I go to the Academy. I am
grateful to have been fortunate enough to work with aircraft mechanics, pilots, and air traffic
controllers. I know for sure that the world of aviation is an interesting and fun place to work.
So far I’ve learned that giving up is never an option; you should always try your hardest and
shoot for the top. Determination and perseverance are vital for success. Take obstacles as the
disguise for hurdles of courage and determination. Most importantly, believe in yourself, once
you set a goal, stay focused and take every opportunity you have to achieve your dream.
