When most students dream of touching the sky, few actually make it there, but for

senior Rueben Young, graduating from Four Corners Upper School, the sky is only

the beginning. Now an aeronautics college graduate, Rueben shares how the halls

of our school helped launch a journey straight into the world of aviation.

On routine family trips, Young found a different perspective, discovering that it is in

the sky where he feels more grounded.

“Growing up as the son of two immigrants, I would often go back to visit family in

England. On these trips, we always traveled by plane, and that was always my

favorite part. I have loved planes ever since I was little. While most would say there

is nothing to do, in flight is where I have always felt most productive. From a plane,

you can witness sights humans were never meant to see — the deep blue ocean far

from any land, and the incredible machine of metal somehow soaring through the

sky — a wonder I will always treasure,” Young said.

Soon, Young realized what was ahead, the cockpit, and ever since he has worked to

pursue what he believes is his purpose.

“Those flights helped me realize my dream, the dream of becoming a pilot. Of

course, all kids have their phases, like being an astronaut or a police officer; but

unlike most kids who would forget their dreams, I never forgot mine. Flying is

something I have always wanted. A career in aviation is my longtime goal,” Young

said.

Young was asked when he realized he wanted to follow the aeronautic path and to

successfully achieve the dream and the goal he talked about, but also what he felt

on his first flight.

In the midst of high school, Young took his first leap that would launch his career in

the aviation industry.

“Just after starting my sophomore year, I took my first steps towards a dream I have

had since I was a child, to fly a plane. At 15, I went on my first flight, and to say I

enjoyed it was an understatement. I never experienced something so euphoric. I felt

a high only flying could give me, a high I began to chase. But of course, flight school

was frustrating,” Young shared.

Young talked about the field part of the aeronautic field, and some of the steps that

followed his introduction into the flying world.

“Last June, I toured Embry-Riddle Daytona. This showed me a reality where students

are given opportunities to fly top-of-the-line Cessna 172 Skyhawks and Diamond

DA42s. They get to experience brilliant simulators that put students in hyperrealistic environments, from hypoxia chambers to actual cockpits,” Young said.

When asked about how the process of application was and what he was expecting

from the short-term future and what has been his greatest achievement yet, Young

said.

“So of course, I submitted my application and was eventually accepted. The

greatest achievement, my magnum opus, truly what I am most proud of. The future

is exciting, and I am so excited to see what it holds,” Rueben told.

After getting his high school degree, Young is planning to start flying right away and

continue learning and preparing for what is going to be a very successful aviation

career.

“On top of high school, I began to slip, nearly gave up, yet I persisted. Now, nearly

two years since my first flight, I am a legal student pilot. I have nearly thirty hours of

flight time and 60 landings. This journey started with an undriven kid with a dream to a man with a mission, a goal, and a way to achieve it,” Young told.