LW West Senior Completes New Flight Academy Program

MANHATTAN, IL — Cheyanne Montano, a senior and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet at Lincoln-Way West High School, has completed the private pilot license training course at California Baptist University in Riverside, California, and has earned her private pilot license.

The district said Montano is one of 150 Air Force Junior ROTC cadets around the world to receive the Chief of Staff of the Air Force scholarship from Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. More than 1,600 cadets applied for one of the 150 scholarships, valued at approximately $20,000.

Graduates of the program who earned their private pilot license do not incur a military
commitment to the Air Force or other branch of service, nor does completing the
program guarantee acceptance into one of the military’s commissioning programs.

The Flight Academy Scholarship Program is a new Air Force-level initiative. Air Force Junior ROTC has been charged by the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force to bring back the “luster of aviation” to high school students and to increase diversity in aviation fields, according to the district.

During Montano’s time in the program, she faced many challenges, but completing the program is something she will always remember.

“Flight Academy was an amazing experience where I met many lifelong friends. I was challenged and inspired to push myself every day. After flying solo in week six, I knew this was the career for me. Thank you AFJROTC!” Montano said in a release.

"Cheyanne is the first cadet ever from Lincoln-Way West and Central to have been selected and graduate from the Flight Academy. This experience really took her out of her comfort zone but she persevered, like she always does, and overcame many obstacles to achieve her goal,” said her Aerospace Science Instructor, Master Sergeant Dan Schliffka.