What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness is being surround by family and friends who are healthy and happy … and also airplanes! I must be around aviation or else I become very irritable.

 

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is spiders, I hate spiders. Everyone always asks me what I would do if there was a spider in the cockpit? I’ll see you on the ground. I would never really do that, but I get some very amusing looks with that response.

 

What trait do you like least about yourself? 

That’s a hard question. I would probably say the trait I least like about myself is that I overthink things.

 

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

The historical figure that I would identify myself with is not just one person but a group of people. The ladies who made up the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII are my heroes and I have been told that I am similar to them because of my passion for flight and my spunky attitude. I also love a good challenge, as did the WASP.

 

Who is someone you’ve met at Indiana State you’ll remember the rest of your life?

Gosh, what is with all of these difficult questions! I have met more than one individual that I will remember for the rest of my life. There are two that really stand out in my mind; the first being Melanie Abel and second is Dr. Greg Bierly. Melanie was my academic advisor, and a great mentor and friend to me. We flew the Air Race Classic in 2014 together and again as friendly rivals in 2015 and 2016. I don’t know if I would have made it this far in the program if it wasn’t for her support and guidance. Dr. Bierly has also been a great mentor and friend to me. He always inspired me to become a more well-rounded person (whether he knows it or not), and also to be adventurous. I have learned to look at things from a different perspective and some of our conversations sparked my curiosity to learn. But the biggest thing I will remember him for is the hike down Angel’s Landing when I was absolutely terrified. That trek down the 1400-foot high cliff helped me overcome my fear of heights, and how to face my other fears calmly.

 

Which talent would you most like to have? 

I would love to learn how to play the piano, and have the talent/ability to just sit down and play a beautiful piece by memory.

 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I think my greatest achievement is my entire aviation career so far. I have flown almost 20 different types of airplanes, have over 450 flight hours (50 of which are in WWII aircraft), placed 2nd overall and collegiately in the 2016 Air Race Classic, and earned my CFI all before age 22. But I would never have been able to get this far with my career without the help and support of so many wonderful people in my life.

 

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

I think if I were to die, I would come back as an eagle or some form of soaring bird.

 

What do people notice first about you? 

I feel like the first thing people notice about me is either my energetic personality or my smile … aside from the fact that I was probably talking about airplanes.

 

What does BLUE mean to you? 

When I think of Indiana State University and what BLUE means to me, I would say Blue is unique opportunities. I have been able to go on so many amazing adventures (three air races, a hiking trip to Utah, flying down to Key West, Fla.) because I have been a part of Indiana State University. If I had gone to school anywhere else, I would never have gotten to the opportunity to experience everything that I have.