The United Sates Air Force offers an amazing opportunity for many high school students each summer to learn the basics of flying.
Junior Roxie Prunty attended this camp from May 26 through June 16.
“I heard about this camp from my dad, because he is in the Air Force and he said it would be a good experience,” Prunty said.
Prunty applied to this camp at the end of September in 2023 and officially got accepted in December 2023.
“The application process took a long time,” Prunty said. “I had to write a three-page essay about my life, my interests and why I would be a good fit.”
Counselor Jessica Psota helped with the application process.
“I wrote her a letter of recommendation, but besides that Roxie had this whole process figured out for herself,” Psota said.
After getting accepted, Prunty had to talk with her teachers.
They helped her by making accommodations for her finals because this camp started before the school year ended.
“Roxie had to take her final earlier than her classmates so she could get to her camp,” English teacher Nolan DeWispelare said.
The first thing Prunty did when she got to camp was take a tour of the facility.
“This camp was at California Aeronautical University, so the campus was all outdoors,” Prunty said.
Over the next three weeks, Prunty attended lectures, simulations and acquired flight hours.
“Everything we did was in two-hour increments and was very structured,” Prunty said.
This experience was everything Prunty was hoping for.
“I loved this camp and I learned that I was capable of so much more than I thought,” Prunty said.
Prunty’s’ classmates and teachers were incredibly supportive of this entire process and experience.
“Roxie and I talked about this camp for months, so I was happy to hear that she had a great experience,” senior Easton Beekman said.
Although her application process was lengthy, Prunty encourages others to apply for this experience. Applications for next summer’s camp are now open.
“I would strongly recommend that if you are interested to take a chance and apply!” Prunty said.
