Opportunities

What I have come to find is that success and future opportunities come from taking advantage of those opportunities that we are fortunate enough to have presented to us. Almost two years ago now, The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation presented me with an opportunity that has become the basis of my whole career path. I was interested in aviation at a young age, but having the opportunity to obtain my private pilot’s license set me on my path toward a career in aviation.

I am currently attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ and I am majoring in Aviation Business Administration with a minor in safety science. Being a pilot has opened my eyes to a lot of things and having that flight experience will help me to succeed in the industry. It has made me more knowledgeable, but more importantly, more confident. The trials and tribulations that come with being a pilot make you a stronger and a more self-assured person, and I can honestly say that the person I was when I began flying and the person I am now are very different. I still have the same aspirations and drive, but I have found that I am a much more well rounded person now. I have become more confident, I am able to handle sticky situations in flight and in life in general, much easier now; and, I am not afraid to go a little out of my comfort zone in order to open up new opportunities for myself.

So I am in college, seeking a career in aviation, but what have I done with flight since I was given the opportunity to earn my private pilot’s license? Well, since attaining my private license with the help of this great foundation, my love for flight has continued to grow more and more every day. I obviously couldn’t just stop there, I have since gone on to get my multi-engine, and instrument ratings and I am currently working on my commercial single engine rating. Right now I am still trying to build hours, so lately it has just been a lot of cross country flights for me, which is awesome. I have flown to places such as the Grand Canyon and all over Arizona, Las Vegas, and will soon be taking a flight back home to California.

So many opportunities have opened up since receiving the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Scholarship two years ago. I don’t currently know if I will be flying commercially or working in the business side of aviation when I graduate from Embry Riddle in two years, but I do know that wherever my life takes me aviation will surely be a part of it.

Senior Year

Time has changed for all of us. With this being my senior year at Bowling Green State University, I have truly learned to appreciate the opportunities we can learn from. Throughout my life, I have came across many personal challenges and have found ways to alter my way of thinking to defeat these issues. I grew up in a family that worked hard for what they have and this has instilled in me a need to become a better leader.

When I was a freshman four years ago, I never thought flying would open up a new world of opportunity. Since I began flying, I have since loved the need for aviation in my life. I have met many interesting people, flown to many places, and have seen big and small airports…with and without fuel pumps. With these experiences, I have learned to appreciate those who have given me the opportunity to excel. The LeRoy W. Homer Foundation has afforded me this opportunity. Without their help and support, I would not have been able to experience the things I have done.

I will be graduating as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in May 2009 and I am very excited to share my experiences with others in regards to my flying. As a maintenance officer, I will fixing the world’s most sophisticated aircraft such as the F-22 and F-15 fighter aircraft. I am very lucky to have support from my family and the LeRoy W. Homer Foundation.

Ryan Wright

Past Scholarship Recipient