Cowboys don't just dream big – they aim for the sky. That statement rings true for Clara Womeldorph, whose dreams of piloting a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk are coming to fruition.

Womeldorph, who graduated in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace administrations and operations aerospace security along minors in both aviation management and military science, has had anything but an ordinary journey. From a decade spent perfecting the craft of gymnastics to years of dedicated service as a university ambassador, Womeldorph consistently demonstrated the kind of drive and character that defines the Oklahoma State University spirit.

Now, having stepped off the commencement stage, Womeldorph has taken that spirit with her, straight into the skies alongside the United States Army.

"My long-term goal is to make a career out of the military and retire in the army," Womeldorph said. "After graduation, I commissioned as a second lieutenant and continued to Army flight school, as a step before commissioning as an aviation officer."

For the 21-year-old, the pull toward service is more than professional ambition – it is personal. From Coleyville, Texas, Womeldorph grew up in a household where military service was the norm. Both of her parents served in the United States Navy, and their example shaped the woman Womeldorph would become.

Her mother's time in uniform overlapped with Womedorph’s earliest days, resulting in her mother leaving the service soon after her daughter's birth. Her father committed to a longer road, serving a full 21 years before hanging up his uniform.

“I always looked up to my dad and admired what he was doing,” Womeldorph said. “Just being able to watch my dad help people and see everything he was doing inspired me.”

Womeldorph's path through the university's Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program was defined by excellence. Last summer, she attended the ROTC Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky, which is a competitive evaluation bringing together cadets from programs across the country.

There, she stood out among her peers, earning the distinction of top female cadet. It is this kind of recognition that speaks not only to physical and tactical ability, but to the leadership, composure and commitment that officers are expected to carry into their careers. In addition to her accomplishments at Advanced Camp, Womeldorph was also recognized as a distinguished military graduate.

"It’s a huge deal," said Tom Joyce, an academic adviser and adjunct instructor for OSU’s aviation program. “She was selected out of thousands of cadets that will go on to be military officers. Getting branched aviation [education] like she did is also a huge deal and extremely challenging to do.”

Joyce commended Womeldorph’s ability to stay motivated in school while training for her military placement.

“The fact that she was able to achieve and maintain her high standards throughout her entire college career is what got her to this point,” Joyce said.

For several years, Womeldorph served as a university ambassador, representing Oklahoma State to prospective students, families and guests. Her leadership skills translated well into her additional role as a local gymnastics coach, allowing her to reflect on one of her previous passions.

Womeldorph spent roughly a decade as a competitive gymnast before her time at OSU. Gymnastistics is widely regarded as one of the most physically and mentally demanding athletic disciplines, requiring years of repetitive training, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure; all of which are traits that have helped Womeldorph meet the expectations of a United States Army Soldier. 

Joyce said he feels confident knowing the military is receiving recruits like Womeldorph.

"As a veteran looking at the scenario, one thing I always question is ‘who are we leaving this in the hands of’" Joyce said. “When it’s people like Clara, I’m like ‘yeah we’ll be fine.’

“Just knowing that there are upcoming Army officers that care about people, are motivated and are as driven as her is awesome.”

Earning a pilot placement is among the most competitive outcomes available to an ROTC cadet. The selection process is rigorous, and desiring to operate a Black Hawk [helicopter] carries particular weight as the aircraft is one of the Army's most well-known and critical platforms, deployed across combat, medical evacuation and special operations missions worldwide.

Despite her vast list of accomplishments, Womeldorph said she still doubted her ability to earn this placement. It wasn’t until she saw her name flash across the screen at branch night — a traditional ceremony to announce which branch cadets will serve in upon commission — that she knew the hard work paid off.

"Being a pilot, being in aviation, was my number one option, so it meant everything to me,” Womeldorph said. 

As Womeldorph looks back at one chapter and begins another, her story is a reminder of what OSU’S Cowboy Code looks like in practice. She dreamed as big as the sky, and then she put in the work to get there.

The sky, as it turns out, is not the limit. For Clara Womeldorph, it is just the beginning.

Story By: Annie Ross | Annie.ross@okstate.edu