ROCKINGHAM — During a seminar at Richmond Senior High School, Career Development Coordinator Jason Perakis invited Alan Sowell of United Airlines, and a 1981 graduate of Richmond Senior, to talk with students who were interested in aviation.
“He was really positive and uplifting to all the students who came,” said senior Maylyn Wallace. “He talked about different programs we could go into and different schools. It was a really good opportunity for us to learn about aviation and all the opportunities there are.”
After Sowell’s presentation, he, Perakis and Jason Gainey at the Richmond County Airport arranged a flight for Wallace to fly to Florida and tour Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Wallace’s flight left Tuesday morning.
“I love that Richmond Senior opens up so many opportunities for something so different,” she said. “Captain Sowell was the one who told us about the school and said we needed to check it out, so I’m glad he opened that up for me. I’m excited to go check it out!”
As a child, Wallace always enjoyed flying in airplanes.
While at summer camp at Liberty University, Wallace recalled being asked what she’d like to major in. At the time she wasn’t sure, but had seen information about their aviation program and thought it would be interesting.
“I had Jason Gainey as a teacher in middle school and he always talked about it, so I called him up,” she said. “We then did a discovery flight where I was able to get a feel for flying a plane, and I enjoyed it. Now I’m getting my pilot license in Moore County.”
She also thanks Perakis for always giving students opportunities to try something new.
“He’s always like ‘hey, this is coming up and hey, you should check this out or look into this,’” she said. “He really puts a lot of things out there and if kids listen, they will see a lot of opportunities.”
“I appreciate Captain Sowell and Jason Gainey for setting this up,” said Perakis. “Maylyn’s drive and enthusiasm to follow this career path is exciting.”
