Flemings, 17, compares the feeling of learning to fly with learning to drive--but better.
She said, "It's all about the freedom. I feel like a bird that can go where I want and see what I want."
This is a young woman who clearly knows what she wants--to fly, do something she loves, serve her community, and protect her nation. Flemings will enter the United States Air Force Academy's class of 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this fall.
"I've always thought about it," she said. After a career day presentation given by an Air Force recruiter during her sophomore year in high school, she knew.
Name: Deanna Flemmings |
Flemings has been around small airplanes for as long as she can remember, flying to multiple places for family vacations, including trips to a family second home in Florida. She and her stepfather, David Messina, have never missed an airshow at Virginia's Langley Air Force Base.
"He has helped me so much, especially with learning the techniques," said Flemings about Messina, an avid pilot for more than 20 years. "I just used to sit back and watch him fly. Now I'm actually doing it."
Having strong support from her family and friends is what motivates Flemings to do the best she can and reach for her dreams. Flemings has stayed involved and focused, from age 12, when she entered 4-H--a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills--to becoming a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
She traveled 50 miles to and from Bishop Sullivan Catholic High in Virginia Beach, Virginia, just to take college prep courses. It's there where Flemings is a production manager for the drama department, a varsity tennis player, a student counselor, and a member of the National Honor Society.
But most important is her flying, which Flemings gets done on the weekends with her flight instructor Gary Ambrose in her 1969 Cessna 150, which Messina purchased for Flemings to complete her first solo in.
"It's not the best-looking airplane, but it runs and it's reliable," said Flemings. "I love it."
And about her first solo? "I was a little nervous, but I felt like I was ready, and once I got up there, I was really excited," she said. "I felt so accomplished when I did three perfect landings." Flemings was set to take her checkride at the end of May.
Who knew her academic success, leadership potential, athletic ability, and character would lead to all this? "I did," said Flemings. "Don't let people tell you it's just a dream and you're reaching too far. You have to get motivated, know what you want to do, and achieve it."
Kathryn Opalewski is a former editorial assistant for AOPA Flight Training magazine.
