Leadership is not about holding a title or commanding authority - it is about recognizing a need, taking initiative, and inspiring change. I have always believed that leadership is demonstrated through action, and one of my most impactful experiences as a leader came when I started a shoe collection drive for children in need at a local soup kitchen in South Africa. Growing up, we always used to visit my grandmother over the winter holidays. She lived in a small rural town, where most of the people live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is approximately 60% and it has one of the highest Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) numbers in the world, with one out of ten Grade 1 learners having FAS or partial FAS. When I was seven, I joined my grandmother at the soup kitchen where she was volunteering. That was when I saw all the children walking around without shoes in the harsh winter. I was very troubled by this. During the next year, I collected all my shoes that were too small. The next winter, I took them with when visiting my grandmother, and I gave them to children at the soup kitchen. Seeing how happy my old shoes made the children motivated me to do this every year. I started to collect old shoes from my friends, classmates, and neighbors. As the number of donated shoes grew, so did the momentum. Each year, I could provide more children with shoes than the year before. This experience shaped my perspective on leadership. It taught me that being a leader is about stepping up when no one else does, inspiring others through action, and making a lasting impact. As I pursue my dream of becoming a commercial pilot and aerospace engineer, I plan to continue leading in meaningful ways. I hope to promote STEM and aviation among young students, just as I was encouraged to follow my dreams. Once I have the required certification, I also hope to volunteer as a pilot for disaster relief missions, helping transport aid and medical supplies to areas that need it. My experience from collecting shoes taught me that small actions can lead to big changes, and I want to carry this lesson forward in everything I do. Leadership is about recognizing where you can make a difference and having the courage to act. Whether through community service, mentorship, or my future role in aviation, I will always lead by example.

For me, success would be to make my lifelong dream come true – a dream that began when I was just five years old, watching Air Force One land in my hometown of Pretoria in South Africa. That moment, a passion for aviation was born that has only grown stronger over time. Success means becoming a commercial airline pilot and piloting an Airbus A380. It also means achieving a balance between my professional life and making a meaningful contribution to my community, both as a pilot and as an engineer. My path to success is not a conventional one. I grew up in South Africa, a country struggling with many problems, such as an extremely high crime rate, a high unemployment rate, and an energy and water crisis. Despite these challenges, I was fortunate to study aeronautics in high school and work towards earning my Private Pilot License (PPL) before moving to the United States. However, the transition to a new country came with unexpected challenges. Due to visa restrictions, I am unable to work, making it difficult to fund the flight hours and certifications required to progress with my pilot training. Despite these obstacles, I remain determined to succeed. I have sought every opportunity to continue my education and training, knowing that each step brings me closer to my ultimate goal. In 30 years, I see myself as a captain of a commercial airline, flying on a long-haul route, responsible for hundreds of passengers. The thought of such a responsibility is both thrilling and humbling. My passion for aviation extends beyond flying - I am also interested in aerospace engineering. I want to contribute to advancements in aircraft technology, making aviation safer and more efficient. Success, to me, is not just about reaching my personal goals but also about pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field I love. But success is not only about reaching personal goals – success is also about giving back. Growing up, my parents nurtured my interest in aviation by exposing me to every opportunity available, and I want to do the same for others. Leading by example, I hope to inspire the next generation of pilots and engineers through mentoring, proving that no dream is too big if you are willing to work hard. This scholarship is not just financial assistance; it is a crucial step toward making my dream a reality. It will allow me to continue my flight training, obtain additional ratings, and ultimately progress toward my Commercial Pilot License. Without being able to work, every scholarship is a lifeline that keeps my dream alive. Success is not a destination; it is a journey - one filled with challenges, growth, and continuous learning. I am committed to this journey, and I know that with the right support, I can achieve my dreams while inspiring others to chase theirs at the same time. With determination, resilience, and support, I know that I will one day soar to new heights - literally as well as figuratively.

I have had allergies and severe eczema for my whole life. Living with these conditions has been challenging, but they have also taught me discipline and resilience. My allergies include both food allergies and environmental allergies. My food allergies have made social situations and routine activities like eating out or attending school events more complicated. I was only five years old when my mother taught me to read labels and even younger when I was taught to always ask about ingredients. I also must carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times. Coping and managing my allergies was the easy one. My eczema is a whole different story. Eczema is not just a cosmetic issue; it is a painful and often debilitating condition that affects every aspect of my life. As a teenager, the transition from primary school to high school was especially difficult. New classmates would constantly ask me what was wrong with my skin. To make matters worse, our two-day orientation for high school was spent mainly on the sports field, where the grass triggered a severe flare-up - the worst I have experienced in my entire life. This made the transition even more challenging, leaving me physically uncomfortable and emotionally drained. Some nights I would be unable to sleep due to the intense itching, leading to fatigue. The constant itching often leads me to scratch my skin until it breaks, resulting in painful wounds and regular infections. Flare-ups can be triggered by stress, weather changes, or environmental allergens, making it difficult to predict when my skin will cooperate. I have been treated by more than one pediatrician, an allergist and numerous dermatologists. But despite many different treatments, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, eczema remains a persistent challenge. The visible nature of the condition has, at times, made me self-conscious, but over the years, I have learned to embrace my differences and focus on what I can control – although it is still not always easy. My dream is to become a commercial pilot. Managing my health while pursuing this goal requires determination, but I am committed to proving that medical conditions do not define a person’s capabilities. I have already completed all the flight hours required for my Private Pilot License and I plan to continue my flight training while studying aerospace engineering. However, as a pilot, my options for medication are limited, which presents an additional challenge. Even my aviation medical practitioner does not fully understand that my eczema is not about vanity but that it has a significant impact on my quality of life. Since moving to the U.S. about a year ago, I am hopeful that I will have access to different treatments and medical advancements that were not available to me while living in South Africa. The prospect of improved healthcare options makes me optimistic that I might be able to better manage my allergies and eczema, allowing me to focus more on my dreams without being hindered by my medical conditions. In the end, my medical conditions have shaped who I am, but they do not define me. They have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of self-care. As I pursue my dreams in aviation and engineering, I hope to advocate for awareness and inclusion, proving that health challenges are not barriers but rather stepping stones to greater achievements.

When I was just five years old, I witnessed Air Force One landing in my hometown in South Africa while on my way to school one morning. As I watched the enormous plane touched down, I was in complete awe. I can still remember the rumbling sound of its engines, watching eagerly as the landing gear unfolded. That morning, the seed was sown that grown into my passion for aviation. Later that afternoon, I gave my mom the picture I drew of Air Force One at school. I told her that I was going to be a pilot when I grew up. My mother indulged my new-found passion by providing me with books about aviation, flight mechanics, and the science of aerodynamics. Bedtime stories soon shifted from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” to tales of the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and the evolution of modern aircraft. As I grew older, my fascination evolved into action. I took aeronautics as a subject in high school and enrolled at a local flight school. After my first flight, I was hooked. We have since moved to the United States, but my passion is still going strong. I am on my way to study aerospace engineering, and I hope to be able to continue with flight training soon, pending my security clearance to train as a non-US citizen. The landing of Air Force One was more than just a childhood memory – it was the beginning of my story. As I continue to follow my dreams, I hope to inspire others with my journey, just as the pages of those early books on aviation have inspired me.

I have been captivated by aviation from a very young age. My passion began in 2013 when I saw Air Force One land in Pretoria during President Obama's visit to South Africa. The sight of the enormous plane touching down ignited a dream within me to one day become a commercial pilot. Over the years, my childhood fascination with aviation evolved into an ambition to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering while working toward my Commercial Pilot License. Growing up in South Africa, I experienced the challenges of living in a country with many problems. From frequent power outages and water supply issues to high unemployment, exceptionally high crime rates, and a complex history of human rights struggles, these challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of creating positive change. My parents, who was only a couple of years older than me at the time, voted in South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994. Growing up, they always emphasized the importance of education and exposure to new experiences. Recognizing my passion for aviation, they made a concerted effort to encourage it by taking me to air shows and supporting my dream of becoming a pilot. With a Portuguese dad and an Afrikaans mom, I was raised bilingual, speaking both English and Afrikaans at home. With grandparents who didn’t speak Afrikaans and a mother who didn’t speak Portuguese, I was regularly shifting between languages. I was exposed to different cultures from an early age, and our family vacations to different countries further broadened my horizons and introduced me to multiple cultures. My experiences while traveling as well as my involvement with the community soup kitchen, exposed me to people from different walks of life, and it has taught me to be more accepting of others. In high school, I had the opportunity to study aeronautics as a subject, where I became the top achiever in my class. While in high school, I also enrolled in a local flight school, completed ground school, logged more than 40 flight hours, and passed a check ride to obtain my Private Pilot License (PPL). This achievement required discipline and determination, especially since my flight training was interrupted when we moved to the United States in 2024 in search of a better life. Determined to obtain my PPL, I traveled back to South Africa during the summer break to complete my training. The dedication it took to complete the requirements for my PPL taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and adaptability. I now know that with hard work, any goal is within reach. Moving to a different country in my junior year of high school was both exciting and challenging. I had to adapt to a new culture, education system, and lifestyle. I had to step out of my comfort zone and embrace change. I taught me to be open-minded and more resilient than ever before. Ultimately, my upbringing and life experiences made me strong, focused, and able to handle anything. By studying aerospace, I will combine my love for flying with my hope to make a positive change. I am excited for the future and will embrace every challenge as a chance to learn.

My name is Dylan Correia, and I was born and raised in South Africa. I have a passion for aviation that began at the age of five when I saw Air Force One land in Pretoria during President Obama's visit. Since then, I have pursued every opportunity to learn more about flight, earning my Private Pilot License (PPL) before moving to the United States with my family in search of a better future. Now, I am on my way to study aerospace engineering while working toward additional flight ratings. I have always enjoyed being involved in my community. When I was seven, I realized that most of the children visiting our church’s soup kitchen did not have proper footwear. I started to collect old sneakers and running shoes to donate to the children every year during the winter break. After moving to the United States almost a year ago, I joined my school’s academic challenge team and have been looking for ways to contribute to my community despite the challenges of adjusting to a new country. I am passionate about promoting STEM and aviation among children, as I believe that introducing children to these fields early, is crucial in inspiring them to pursue the STEM and aviation. Financially, we face significant challenges. We arrived in the U.S. with only two suitcases each and had to rebuild our lives from scratch. While my dad has a decent income, my mom is still looking for work, and the cost of college and flight training, following all the expenses of starting fresh in a new country, is overwhelming. Due to my non-immigrant visa status, I am currently unable to work, and I do not qualify for federal financial aid, therefore I must rely on scholarships to ease the financial burden. As a pilot, I am passionate about mental health. I recently realized the impact bullying has on mental health. Last year, in my cousins' school, a grade 7 girl jumped to her death from one of the balconies at her school. It was the result of her suffering from relentless bullying. I saw firsthand the emotional toll on her classmates and family, and it made me realize how devastating unchecked bullying can be. This tragedy has motivated me to be more vocal about the importance of anti-bullying efforts, both in person and online. I believe in leading by example, and to always be kind to others. Whenever I saw peers being bullied in school, I would stand up for them and make sure that they knew they were supported. We had a “Bully Bin” where students could anonymously report incidences of bullying at school, and I made sure to always report bullying, even if they did not involve close friends. Many young people do not realize the lasting effects of their digital footprint. I would never share or promote cyber bullying content, and I hold my friend accountable if they do. By sharing resources and encouraging responsible online behavior, I hope to help create a safer environment for young people. This scholarship can provide me with critical financial support, allowing me to continue my education and flight training and reducing the additional strain on my family. By continuing my commitment to education, mentorship, and advocacy against bullying when I go to college in the fall, I hope to make a lasting positive impact in my community and beyond. Thank you for your consideration.

I wanted to be a pilot since I was 5 years old. One morning, as I was heading to school, I saw Air Force Once land at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, where I grew up. I was in awe. That day I drew a picture of Air Force One at school, and when I saw my mom that afternoon, I told my mom that I was going to be a pilot when I grew up. Over time, my passion grew and became the main focus in my life. I was fortunate that my high school had aeronautics as a subject. I excelled in this class and was named the top achiever. In my Grade 10 year, I enrolled in a local flight school to obtain my private pilot license (PPL). After my first flight, I knew that becoming a pilot was my calling. During my Grade 11 year, we have moved from South Africa to the United States. Unfortunately, due to several bouts of bad weather, I was short on hours before moving to the US. Determined to obtain my PPL, I flew to back to South Africa during summer break to finish my training. It took hard work, and many flight hours, but I succeeded. I am planning to study aerospace engineering at the University of South Carolina. At the same time, I want to continue with my flight training, with the goal to eventually obtain my commercial license. Another event that shaped my dreams for the future, happened in March 2015, while my family and I were on holiday in Europe, visiting Disneyland Paris. A Germanwings flight carrying 144 passengers crashed into the French Alps, killing everyone on board. We learned that the co-pilot had intentionally flown the plane into the mountain. The cause of the disaster was not mechanical failure or a terrorist attack but a mental health crisis. The crash opened my eyes to the fact that mental health challenges can have serious, even fatal, consequences in aviation. My perspective on what it takes to be a pilot has broadened. I now understand that beyond technical skill and knowledge, maintaining mental health is essential. If I am successful in pursuing my dreams, I will always be an advocate for mental health awareness, knowing that a healthy mind is just as important as a well-functioning aircraft.

Joe Gilroy’s story brought a smile to my face as it reminds me of my late grandfather. Like Joe, my grandfather was an entrepreneur. He immigrated from Madeira to South Africa and owned a small grocery store. He kept his to-do list written on the back of a cigarette carton tucked in his pocket. Values my grandfather lived by were dedication, planning, and hard work. I hope to pursue my dreams by following the same principles. My goals are to become an aerospace engineer and to obtain a commercial pilot’s license. To obtain this goal, I have enrolled and have been accepted into the aerospace engineering program at the University of South Carolina. At the same time, I plan to continue my flight training towards a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). I have already completed my Private Pilot License (PPL) in South Africa. I have since moved to the USA, and, unfortunately, there have been logistical delays in the issuance of my certificate. This will delay my flight training for an unknown period. This also taught me the importance of contingency planning. To stay actively engaged in aviation while waiting to continue with my flight training, I plan to obtain a Remote Pilot License through the Unmanned Safety Institute's online program. This certification will allow me to operate drones and increase my understanding of unmanned systems, an important part of the aviation industry. Once my PPL is issued, I will convert it to an FAA certificate, which requires additional exams and training. Following this, I will work toward obtaining my Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Rating, and accumulating the 250 flight hours needed to qualify for a CPL. Given my current visa restrictions, funding for my education and flight training will rely heavily on scholarships, grants, and sponsorships. I estimate my college expenses, including tuition, housing, and books, will be approximately $30,000 per year. Flight training will cost an additional $15,000 - $20,000 per year, depending on the ratings and hours needed. I have already sourced the funds for the Remote Pilot License. To lessen the financial burden on my family, I am actively applying for scholarships, such as this one. Once eligible to work, I also plan to apply for internships in the aviation field to gain practical experience while funding my goals. In terms of timeline, I will complete the Remote Pilot License while finishing high school. I will start college in the fall of 2025, where it will take four years to earn my aerospace engineering degree. I hope to achieve at least my Instrument Rating and Flight Instructor Rating during these four years and accumulate a significant portion, if not all of the 250 flight hours required for my CPL. As I have already experienced, things do not always go according to plan, and therefore I need to have alternative plans. If financial constraints slow my flight training, I will prioritize internships and part-time work to fund my studies. Once I have obtained my Flight Instructor Rating, I can also apply to become an instructor at a flight school. This will not only provide me with an income, but it will also help me to accumulate flight hours towards my CPL at no cost to myself. I believe that my plan leaves me with a lot of options in terms of career opportunities, such as airline pilot, aircraft design engineer, test pilot, unmanned aerial vehicle pilot, or researcher. I have the passion, the plan, and the willingness to do the hard work. Receiving this scholarship will contribute to the financial resources needed to reach my goals.

My grandfather was only 46 years old when he had his first stroke. Over the years, he had many more small strokes, each one worsening his mobility and speech. Today, at 71, he is confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak. I never knew what his voice sounded like. Recently, my family watched some home videos from when my sister and I were small. For the first time, I heard him speaking and laughing in the background. When my mom said, “That’s Grandpa,” my sister broke down in tears. It was the moment that I first realized how much we have lost. We have a grandfather, but we have no words, no stories, and no laughter. About ten years ago, my mother was diagnosed as a carrier of hemochromatosis. This led to my grandparents being tested, and they found out that my grandfather has the condition. Hemochromatosis is a blood disorder that causes iron to accumulate in the body, leading to a lot of health complications, including an increased risk of strokes and blood clots. My grandfather’s strokes and the severe impact on his quality of life could have been prevented, or at least reduced, if he had been diagnosed earlier. The treatment is simple - regular blood removal to manage iron level, called phlebotomy. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done before he was diagnosed. Now that I realize how different life could have been for him, I want to advocate for awareness and early detection of blood disorders like hemochromatosis. My aunt is a medical doctor and professor in South Africa, the country where I grew up. I plan to work with her and my sister, who plans to go to medical school, to develop a social media campaign aimed at creating awareness about hemochromatosis. My aunt has a parenting Facebook page and blog with over 24,000 followers, which already provides a platform we can use. We will share education content and personal stories, including my grandfather’s, to make the message more relatable. My grandfather’s story is a powerful example of how devasting a delayed diagnosis can be. My hope is that through early detection, other families can avoid experiencing the challenges and heartache my family had to. My grandfather’s condition did not only have an emotional impact, it also has placed a financial strain on the family. He used to run his own small construction business, but due to his worsening mobility and speech, he had to stop working. My parents assist my grandparents financially when they can, despite the challenges of our move from South Africa to the USA. Because of my visa status, I do not qualify for federal aid, and I am not allowed to work, so I am also relying on my parents for financial assistance to pay for college. Receiving this scholarship will alleviate some of the financial burden on my parents, and help me to concentrate on my studies and honoring my grandfather’s life by making a difference for other families.

I wanted to be a pilot since I was 5 years old. In June of 2013, President Obama visited South Africa, the country I lived in until March 2024. One morning, as I was heading to school, I saw Air Force Once land at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. I was in awe. That day I drew a picture of Air Force One at school, and when I saw my mom that afternoon, I told my mom I was going to be a pilot when I grew up. Over time, my passion grew and became the main focus in my life. I was fortunate that my high school had aeronautics as a subject. I excelled in this class and was named the top achiever. In my Grade 10 year, I enrolled in a local flight school to obtain my private pilot license (PPL). After my first flight, I knew that becoming a pilot was my calling. However, I was facing a significant challenge when my parents told me that we would be relocating from South Africa to the United States. I had two choices – start my flight training from scratch in the U.S. or complete my PPL in South Africa before moving. Having invested so much time, money and effort into my training, I decided to pull out all the stops and finish my PPL before we relocated. I have worked very hard, and when I was not at school, I was at the flight school. Unfortunately, several bouts of bad weather limited my ability to complete the required flight hours in time. In March, we moved to the U.S., but I was determined not to give up. Using all of my savings, I flew back to South Africa during my summer break to complete my PPL. It took hard work, and many flight hours, but I succeeded. My initial plan was to enroll at a university for a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (Professional Pilot). Since I do not know how long it would take for my license to arrive from South Africa, convert it to an FAA certification, and to get the required security clearance, I decided to rather enroll at a university for an aerospace engineering degree, and I have recently been accepted to aerospace engineering program at the University of South Carolina. I still aim to obtain my Commercial Pilot License, but unfortunately many logistical hurdles are preventing my PPL certificate from being issued in South Africa. Even once I do obtain my certificate, I must first convert my PPL to an FAA certification and obtain clearance for flight training from Homeland Security before I can enroll at a local flight school. Rather than allowing these delays to deter me from my dream, I recently decided to enroll in a program at the Unmanned Safety Institute that will allow me to earn a Remote Pilot License. This decision will not only allow me to stay engaged with aviation while waiting to continue my flight training but will also provide me with the opportunity to explore the field of unmanned aerial systems. I believe that as an aerospace engineer with a commercial pilot's license and a remote pilot's license, I will possess a unique skillset that will be highly beneficial to the aviation industry. I have depleted my savings in order to obtain my PPL, and my current visa prevents me from working. Receiving this scholarship will help me to achieve my dream.

I have always loved puzzles that challenge my mind. I particularly enjoy Connection puzzles, because it is not only about finding the answer. It is about uncovering patterns and relationships that are not always immediately obvious. I have made my own attempt at a Connections puzzle. Glance Aurora Stare Ceres Flora Comet Planet Gaze Prime Peep Rockstar Celsius Venus Star Monster Meteor I tried to make it not too obvious with some words that could possibly be part of another category. Category - looks Stare, gaze, peep, glance These words all describe ways of looking at something. Category - objects in space Star, planet, comet, meteor These words are all celestial objects that can be found in outer space. Category - energy drinks Prime, Monster, Rockstar, Celsius These are all popular energy drink brands known for boosting energy. Category - Roman goddesses Venus, Ceres, Flora, Aurora These are the names of goddesses from Roman mythology, each representing a different aspect of life and nature. Words that I think will increase difficulty are described below: I think that people would try to connect star and gaze, and even possibly rockstar. I think people's first attempt would be to group Venus with stars and planets. Celsius might be linked to stars due to temperature. I hope that my Connections puzzle will give people enjoyment!

In March 2015, my family and I were on holiday in Europe, visiting Disneyland Paris. During our trip, a tragedy unfolded that would have a profound impact on me, both as a person and as an aspiring pilot. A Germanwings flight carrying 144 passengers crashed into the French Alps, killing everyone on board. The news was filled with speculation - was it terrorism or something else? Soon we heard that the co-pilot had intentionally flown the plane into the mountain. The cause of the disaster was not mechanical failure or a terrorist attack but a mental health crisis. As someone who has dreamed of becoming a pilot from a young age, this incident shook me. I could not understand how something like that could happen, and why someone would do something like that. It was not until I was older, when I started to understand the concept of mental health, that I truly understood the magnitude of what happened. Years later, following the COVID lockdowns, the impact of mental health became personal for my family. My sister’s best friend lost her father to suicide during this time, and the grief that followed had a huge impact on all of us. The lockdowns intensified feelings of isolation and despair for many, and this tragic loss made me realize that many people, who are seemingly doing well, may be struggling with mental health. As we started to discuss mental health as a family, I was shocked to learn that my mother has lost her grandfather, a friend, and a colleague to suicide. I realized that mental health struggles are often a taboo subject, because of the stigma associated with it. I believe that everyone should be able prioritize mental wellness without the fear of being judged or discriminated against. Seeking help should be seen as a strength, not a weakness, especially in a field like aviation where hundreds of lives are at stake. My perspective on what it takes to be a pilot has widened. Beyond technical skill and knowledge, maintaining mental health is essential. I am hopeful that once I have a career in the aviation industry, I will have the opportunity be an advocate for mental health awareness, knowing that a healthy mind is just as important as a well-functioning aircraft. This scholarship would not only help me achieve my dream of flying but also empower me to continue raising awareness about mental wellness in a field where the stakes are incredibly high.

I wanted to be a pilot since I was 5 years old. In June of 2013, President Obama visited South Africa, the country I lived in until March 2024. One morning, as I was heading to school, I saw Air Force Once land at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. I was in awe. That day I drew a picture of Air Force One at school, and when I saw my mom that afternoon, I told my mom I was going to be a pilot when I grew up. Over time, my passion grew and became the main focus in my life. I was fortunate that my high school had aeronautics as a subject. I excelled in this class and was named the top achiever. In my Grade 10 year, I enrolled in a local flight school to obtain my private pilot license (PPL). After my first flight, I knew that becoming a pilot was my calling. During the past few months, we have moved from South Africa to the United States. I flew to back to South Africa during summer break to complete my PPL. It took hard work, and many flight hours, but I succeeded. I am planning to study aerospace engineering next year, but at the same time I want to continue with my flight training, with the goal to obtain my commercial license. Another event that shaped my dreams for the future, was in March 2015, while my family and I were on holiday in Europe, visiting Disneyland Paris. A Germanwings flight carrying 144 passengers crashed into the French Alps, killing everyone on board. The news was filled with speculation - was it terrorism or something else? It was soon revealed that the co-pilot had intentionally flown the plane into the mountain. The cause of the disaster was not mechanical failure or a terrorist attack but a mental health crisis. The crash opened my eyes to the fact that mental health challenges can have serious, even fatal, consequences in aviation. My perspective on what it takes to be a pilot has broadened. I now understand that beyond technical skill and knowledge, maintaining mental health is essential. If I am granted the opportunity to pursue my dreams, I will always be an advocate for mental health awareness, knowing that a healthy mind is just as important as a well-functioning aircraft.

For me, Minecraft is much more than just a computer game. It is a world full of endless possibilities. It is a platform where you can combine creativity and strategy. What I enjoy the most about Minecraft, is that you can build anything you can imagine. One block at a time, you come closer to whatever goal you have set for yourself. I have been playing Minecraft for as long as I can remember. I was always spending hours building designing cities and connecting them with elaborate rail system. I never realized all the important life skill the game taught me. Playing Minecraft, just like projects in the real world, takes planning, patience, and determination. These important skills were invaluable in reaching one of the biggest goals in my life – obtaining my private pilot license. Some of my best memories of playing Minecraft, are spending time with my friends, working together to build, and sometimes destroy, entire worlds. It taught me the importance of teamwork and communication. I think what makes building in Minecraft resonate with me so deeply, is that it reflects my approach to life. Whether I am designing a structure in Minecraft or planning my future as a pilot, I’m always striving to create something lasting and meaningful. From playing Minecraft, I have learned that with the right mindset and a little creativity, the sky is truly the limit.

In late February 2020, my family and I were celebrating my cousin’s first birthday out of town when my grandfather fell seriously ill. We were living in Pretoria, South Africa, at the time. Early the next morning, he was rushed to the hospital with breathing difficulties and admitted to the ICU. As the days passed, his condition remained critical, and we returned home. When the government announced that the school term would end early due to the spread of Covid-19, we decided to return to Bloemfontein, where he was still hospitalized. The Covid restrictions and uncertainty that soon took hold created a whirlwind of change around us. Within a week, strict hospital visitation limits were in place, and we were not allowed to visit him. Not long after that, the government announced an impending lockdown with interprovincial borders closing. The final days of March felt surreal as family members from Europe, where Covid was already widespread and the consequences of the disease were catastrophic, warned us that these lockdowns might last longer than we anticipated. We had to return back home before the borders closed. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away two days later. My family and I were devastated, knowing we had missed the chance to be with him in those last moments. Due to the travel restrictions, we could not even attend his funeral and instead had to say our goodbyes over a live stream, watching the ceremony on YouTube. Later that day, the government announced that immediate family members could from that moment on get an exemption to travel for funerals – but for us it was too late. Losing my grandfather in this way was deeply painful, but the experience also reshaped my perspective on life. The harsh reality of not being able to say goodbye taught me that time is not promised, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. I have learned that we should never take time with loved ones for granted, and that living in the present is just as important as planning for the future. I now strive to make time for those I care about, cherishing every moment, no matter how small. When I am with family or friends, I focus on being fully present, recognizing that each day is an opportunity to build memories. The loss of my grandfather, though a difficult lesson, reminds me to live wholeheartedly, and to embrace each day as a gift.

I am an aspiring pilot who have completed all the requirement for my Private Pilot License in South Africa. I am currently waiting for the South African Civil Aviation authority to issue my license, which I will then convert to an FAA certification. I have 67.6 flight hours, and 5 simulator hours. I wanted to be a pilot since I was 5 years old. In June of 2013, President Obama visited South Africa, the country I lived in until March 2024. One morning, as I was heading to school, I saw Air Force Once land at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. I was in awe. That day I drew a picture of Air Force One at school, and when I saw my mom that afternoon, I told my mom I was going to be a pilot when I grew up. Over time, my passion grew and became the main focus in my life. I was fortunate that my high school had aeronautics as a subject. I excelled in this class and was named the top achiever. In my Grade 10 year, I enrolled in a local flight school to obtain my private pilot license (PPL). After my first flight, I knew that becoming a pilot was my calling. However, I was facing a significant challenge when my parents told me that we would be relocating from South Africa to the United States. I had two choices – start my flight training from scratch in the U.S. or complete my PPL in South Africa before moving. Having invested so much time, money and effort into my training, I decided to pull out all the stops and finish my PPL before we relocated. I have worked very hard, and when I was not at school, I was at the flight school. Unfortunately, several bouts of bad weather limited my ability to complete the required flight hours in time. In March, we moved to the U.S., but I was determined to not give up. Using all of my savings, I flew to back to South Africa during summer break to complete my PPL. It took hard work, and many flight hours, but I succeeded. My initial plan was to enroll at a university for a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (Professional Pilot). Since I do not know how long it would take for my license to arrive from South Africa, convert it to an FAA certification, and to get the required security clearance, I decided to rather enroll at a university for an aerospace engineering degree. Once all my paperwork is in place, I will continue with my flight training at a local flight school, while completing my degree at the same time. My ultimate goal is to obtain my commercial pilot license. I am eager to continue my training once my PPL has been converted to an FAA certification. Financing my dream is currently a huge roadblock. I have depleted my savings in order to obtain my PPL, and my current visa prevents me from working. This is why I am applying for the KG Aviation Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship will help me to achieve my dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

In June of 2013, something unforgettable happened that changed my life forever. President Obama visited South Africa, and while the whole country’s attention was on the hospitalization of President Nelson Mandela, I was mesmerized by something else: Air Force One. I was five years old, and as I was heading to school when I saw the enormous plane land at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. I was in awe. My love for aviation only grew stronger. As I grew older, what started as simple amazement gradually became a goal: I wanted to become a pilot. I learned everything I could about airplanes, flight, and the aviation industry. I knew I had to get my private pilot license as soon as I was eligible. Over time, my passion grew and became the main focus in my life, no matter what life threw my way. Even as I prepared to move from South Africa to the United States, my commitment to becoming a pilot never wavered. Before the move, I focused on obtaining my private pilot license. During the summer, 3 months after arriving in the US, I returned to South Africa to finish all the requirements, and ten days after turning 17, I successfully completed my final check ride. Now, as I start a new chapter in the US, I am eagerly waiting for the official paperwork so that I can start the process of converting my South African license to an FAA certification and begin with the next step, obtaining an instrument rating. I want to turn my love of flying into a career, either as an aerospace engineer or a commercial pilot. I am excited to push my boundaries and contribute to the field of aviation. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to do much community work over the past few years – but this was mainly because I spent most of my time trying to finish off my PPL, preparing to move across the Atlantic, and getting used to life in my new country. Now, however, I have finally settled in, and I am looking forward to giving back to the community. I have signed up to become a volunteer maths tutor, where I hope I will be able to help people in a subject I am passionate about. I also feel that the communication and problem-solving skills I will gain from tutoring will help me in my future career in aviation. Another South African, Elon Musk, said, “The wonder of flight never ceases to amaze me. The reality of soaring above the clouds is a constant reminder of human ingenuity.” I have to agree with him. Every time I am in the air, I feel like a child again, excitedly watching Air Force One land.