![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
As an aircraft approaches Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 17-year-old Matthew Christian, after months of rigorous training, prepares to land the small craft according to his training. This flight is one of many for the junior, who is on his way to earning a private piloting license.
Christian began his pilot training in September of 2023 at the age of 16, with the goal of being ready when turned 17 to obtain his pilot’s license, as required by the FAA. Now, after months of dedication, he is set to achieve this significant milestone by the end of November 2024.
“I’m currently 75% of the way done with my training to get my license,” Christian explained. “Now all I have left is a cross-country test and one final exam to ensure I’m ready for the next step of my dream to become a private pilot.”
Throughout his journey towards his earning the license, Christian encountered plenty of obstacles testing his skills and knowledge. He dedicated long hours to studying aircraft instruction manuals, the mechanics of flight, and the navigation controls of planes. To reinforce his understanding, he regularly completes digital assessments, ensuring he masters everything.
“There’s so much information you need to know to pass the online assessments, which takes up a ton of time out of the day but it’s all worth it,” Christian said.
Before beginning his journey in aviation, his family, without any prior background or experience in flying, enrolled him in a flight academy. Attending sessions every Tuesday and Saturday, Christian developed a strong connection with his instructor over his time in training.
Spencer McNabb, Matthew’s current flight instructor at Cirrus Aviation at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, is a University of South Florida alumni and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI).
McNabb said that one thing that sticks out about Matthew is that he pays close attention to detail. Also, his ability to stay calm under pressure has allowed him to quickly adapt to new challenges and have exceptional situational awareness in the cockpit.
“I’m most proud of Matthew’s commitment to continuous learning,” McNabb said. “He consistently seeks feedback and works hard to improve his skills while having a genuine passion for aviation.”
Matthew’s family has strongly supported his interest in flying, and recently, they’ve helped him choose two top universities with excellent flight programs. Christian is determined to become a commercial airline pilot.
“Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona and Liberty University in Virginia are the two [universities] I have been looking at,”Christian said. “And they both have a successful flight program and are not far from home.”
With his private pilot license within reach, Matthew Christian is one step closer to his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Supported by family and mentors, he’s certain to soar.
This story was originally published on The Gauntlet on November 7, 2024.