High school and junior high aviation student teams demonstrated their skills and knowledge, and explored aviation and aerospace opportunities at Oklahoma State University during the second Aero Exploration Day, hosted by the College of Education and Human Sciences on March 25 in the Student Union.

Aerospace and defense represent the second-largest and fastest-growing industry in Oklahoma, and OSU is helping prepare professionals for the workforce through an undergraduate degree in aerospace administration and operations with four options — professional pilot, aviation management, aerospace security and technical service management. Aero Exploration Day was designed to inspire and build connections with the next generation of aviation enthusiasts through an enriching experience.

This year's competition featured seven school districts from across Oklahoma. Students competed in challenges based on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) curriculum they are learning in school. With competitions beginning as early as 9:30 a.m., students had a day full of aviation education.

“As an aviation (academic) advisor, it was really encouraging to see the next generation of aviation enthusiasts come to OSU with so much excitement for the industry and so much knowledge on different aviation topics,” said Madalyn Hess, one of the competition's judges.

“You could genuinely tell that they were all very passionate about aviation and will make great professionals one day.”

Hess was joined by three other staff members on the judges' board, including:

• Flight instructor Josh Stephens 
• Kenzie Kepple, assistant director of recruitment services in undergraduate admissions
• Chad Marek, college event coordinator and co-advisor of the Flying Aggies
  

Judges evaluated students’ ability to demonstrate clear communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills necessary to work in a relevant profession. The college honored the state championship team during the award ceremony.

State Championship Team

Ada High School

• Emory Anderson, junior
• Darby Billingsley, junior
• Drake Cody, sophomore

Ada’s state champion, Emory Anderson, said she felt prepared coming into the competition after completing various mock tests created by her teacher, Chris Eckler, but never expected to place first. Not only did the competition help prepare Anderson for a future in aviation academically, but it also helped her feel more confident in herself and her knowledge.

“I was very shocked but excited to learn that we won the state championship,” Anderson said. “I was very proud of my team and how we handled the case study scenario interview.”

This year, the college introduced a new competition, geared toward younger students. The First-Year Competition is an individual event designed to test students’ knowledge of aviation signs, markings and career pathways. This competition is open only to students in their first year of AOPA instruction.

First-Year Competition

• First place: Cash Goodwin, Ada High School
• Second place: Leyton Jacobs, Ada High School
• Third place: Brayden Dunkin, Chisholm High School
• Fourth place: Noah Barr, Chisholm High School
• Fifth place: Vincent Regaldo, Oklahoma Aviation Academy

After the competition, current OSU aviation students presented to attendees during a panel session. Tanner Trout, a senior aerospace administration and operations student, moderated the panel.

Panelists included seniors Kelsey Anderson (professional pilot); Zach Puhala, (professional pilot); Clara Womeldorph (aerospace security); and Michael Statz, (aviation management).

Panelists answered questions about themselves, their program of study and clubs they are involved in on campus — and most importantly — encouraged the high school students to get involved and connected early in their collegiate career, no matter the school they attend.

Statz applauded the aviation faculty at OSU for encouraging him to be as involved as he can be and reflected on his internship experience so far.

“It could be something as simple as being a student recruiter on campus, like I am, or it could be working a job at the [Stillwater] airport,” Statz said. “There’s a lot of unique opportunities here for students at OSU that I would highly encourage everybody to pursue when you get here.”

Students wrapped up their day with a tour of OSU aviation facilities, including the Ray and Linda Booker OSU Flight Center.

Participating Schools/Districts

• Ada City High School
• Byng High School
• Chisholm High School
• Cushing High School
• Davenport High School
• Oklahoma Aviation Academy (Norman)
• Union Schools (Tulsa)

You can learn more about the aviation programs offered at OSU here.