Moriah Graham has successfully become the first African American Air Force JROTC cadet to earn a private pilot’s license in the state of Delaware. Though in her senior year at Polytech High School in Woodside, Cadet Graham, has been focusing on flying since her middle school years. The high school senior earned her license on May 28th. Although she has made aeronautical history in Delaware, the teen readily encourages other young ladies to never give up in the pursuit of their desired goals.
“For five years, obtaining my private pilot license was a goal of mine and for four of those five years it was something that was a sort of fantasy, until I started ground school in my junior year. I achieved this goal, and in doing so it showed me that through hard work, dedication, tenacity, perseverance and the help of God, anything and everything is possible,” said Graham. “I completed this flight program not just for my license but to show other little girls who look just like me that they should never let anyone deter them from their dreams, because dreams can always be made true if you try hard enough. That is what the flight program has done for me.”
Though she experienced great difficulties, Graham thanked Air Force Lt. Col. Ray Ott, the senior aerospace science instructor, for believing in her even when she found it difficult at times to believe in herself. “I reminded myself that I had a goal to accomplish, and I would not rest until it was achieved.”
In addition to Graham, Polytech High School now boasts of five Air Force JROTC cadets who have all earned their private pilot licenses in 2015. The other cadets include James Maier, Jonathan Hesterman, Liz Judge and Steven Sanchez. The impact the Air Force JROTC has on schools, cadets and communities is shown in the participation among students in the U.S. as well as abroad. With 889 schools participating in the youth program, there are 2,000 retired Air Force high school instructors.
“The 58 percent minority program with 38 percent female participation truly changes lives,” said Ott. “Her [Graham’s] accomplishment is representative of the immense talent the youth of our country possess and those who participate in the Air Force JROTC. She is truly a great young American marked with determination and resiliency. Moriah set a goal, finished a mission and fulfilled a dream.”
“There were many obstacles in my way and quite frankly, there were times when even I did not think that I would make it. However, I reminded myself that I have people who love and support me no matter if I stumble or even fall a few times.”
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