River View graduate Reas Pepper is soaring high
Eighteen-year-old graduating senior from River View High School, Reas Pepper, is beginning the next chapter of his life with his head in the clouds. For this young man, his fascination with planes began when he was a very young child watching them fly overhead. (Submitted)
Seniors all over are graduating with hope for the future. For some, they may be uncertain as to what path they want to take, while others may have their careers mapped out. For one very unique and special young man, he has allowed his dreams to take flight and his future is looking very bright.
Eighteen-year-old graduating senior from River View High School, Reas Pepper, is beginning the next chapter of his life with his head in the clouds. For this young man, his fascination with planes began when he was a very young child watching them fly overhead. Then, when his mom received an opportunity to fly in a plane during an air show and she allowed Reas to go in her place, that ride more or less solidified Reas’ passion and future.
“My future was decided at an air show in Coshocton. I rode with Jim “Fang” Maroney, and he did every trick he could, all of the ones he did in the shows. I had been in commercial planes before but nothing like this. This experience is when I really fell in love with being in the air. After I landed, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life” Pepper said.
Pepper then began doing research looking at schools with flight programs so that he could further his career. About two and a half years ago he discovered he could get his pilot’s license at the age of 17 and this determined young man set a goal for himself and heavily pursued it. Pepper said, “I started taking lessons at 15 and a half, and I did my first solo flight when I was 16. When I turned 17, I got my pilot’s license. Freedom is a big thing in my life; once you take off there are endless places you can go. Being in the air, flying a plane… well, it gives you a sense of freedom that even having your driver’s license can’t give you” Pepper said.
Pepper, who checked out several schools before falling in love with the beautiful campus of Auburn University in Alabama, shared that receiving his acceptance letter to Auburn is a day he will never forget. While he will miss some people here, he is looking forward to starting at Auburn University in the fall in their professional flight program.
“A low percentage of people have a pilot’s license, so I feel very fortunate to have gotten mine at 17. Typically, the first semester of the year you work on getting your private license, and since I already have mine, I will be a little step ahead of the rest” Pepper said.
Pepper continued by sharing after he graduates college, he will be able to go straight into what he wants to, which is commercial flying. His hope is to move near Atlanta, Georgia since it is the biggest airport in the world, and he would eventually like to fly cargo because people are always in need of items. “Hopefully after graduating, I can fly planes and eventually fly anywhere I want” Pepper said.
Of course, Pepper’s dreams of being a pilot would not be possible without the support and encouragement of his family and friends.
“I would like to thank my mom and dad for pushing me to be the best I can be, for allowing me the opportunity to fly at 15 and a half, and for giving me that freedom and allowing me to become who I am today,” Pepper said. He went on to share that his high school principal, Mr. Rinkes was a big encouragement and support too. “Mr. Rinkes has always been supportive. He tries to support everyone at the high school and all of their goals. He has been there if I needed to talk, and he tries to show everyone they can do what they want and that all things are possible. He really helped me believe that things are possible for me.”
One of the best gifts a person can receive is the gift of encouragement. Having people support your dreams and passions and cheer you on is sometimes what helps you become successful. Giving the gift of inspiring and encouraging others to pursue their passions has just as much impact. And that is what Pepper hopes his story will do for others. He humbly said, “I would love for my pursuit to inspire and encourage others to chase after their dreams.”
Category: Education
