Junior Delaney Schmoll has high expectations for her future—literally. As an active member of a private pilot ground school, she is striving for her private pilot’s license which she can receive at just 17 years old.

Ever since she was a little girl, Schmoll has had her heart set on flying, and as she’s gotten older, that desire has only grown. Even as a little girl, her plans may have revolved around a top-gun, high-action career path, and her hope for her future today isn’t much different.

“My dream job would be a pilot in the Air Force, or a flight surgeon,” Schmoll said. These jobs would involve specialized training and deep familiarity with flight. Being a flight surgeon would additionally involve being a physician with specialized training and a board certification in aerospace medicine. 

In order to obtain her Air Force dreams, Schmoll wants to attend Florida State University and enroll in their ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) so that she can be prepared for the Air Force. Or, Schmoll hopes to attend the Air Force Academy so that she is one day ready to serve in the officer corps. 

Aside from her Air Force dreams, Schmoll’s theme of helping others continues. “I think it would be cool to do a mission trip that I can fly supplies to. I would also want to fly to an island,” Schmoll said. She hopes to not only live a fulfilling life of helping others but also see and experience great things for herself. 

But this is all looking towards the future. Today, “Being in the air, especially before sunset and watching it” is what Schmoll claims is her favorite part of piloting. Right now Schmoll is focused on setting the stage for her future, and this ground course is only the first of many steps on her journey.