SEEING THE WORLD FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW”

When Rachel Guffin is not at school you will most likely find her on the soccer field, running cross-country, or at Concord Regional Airport working on her private pilot’s license, which she hopes to complete by graduation. Playing for both the Country Day varsity team and the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, Rachel is a leader on the field, serving as captain for her club team. In addition to athletics, strong academics, and a love for all things aviation, Rachel also makes time for community service, including volunteer work with community organizations like her church, Nourish Up, Young Life, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Pursuing My Passions

“I am looking forward to pursuing my passions at the next level. Next year, I will be attending Baylor University where my intended major is aviation sciences with a minor in religion. Through this program, I hope to work my way up to a commercial pilot’s license, as well as earn a certified flight instructor certification. With this, I will be able to work with the younger students within the program and enter the commercial aviation industry if I choose to do so. I also plan to be a part of Baylor’s Air Force ROTC program.”

Bird’s-Eye View

“The thing I love most about aviation is the ability to see the world from a bird’s eye view. It truly is remarkable, and it really enhances gratitude for the world around us. The feeling of gliding just under the clouds, watching the ant-like cars on the highway below is irreplaceable.”

Discipline and Perseverance

“While I only started cross-country to keep up my endurance for soccer, I think the experience really prepared me for the future. I have learned true discipline and perseverance, as well as teamwork. Even though it’s an individual sport, when it really gets tough, it’s the support and success of the team that keeps your legs going. The support we have for each other is what makes us so successful. This sport has taught me how to move through hard times and turn them into some of the most memorable.”

Aerospace Engineering

“I was able to take Honors Engineering this year in the Upper School, where my final project was building a glider plane. I hope to have more aerospace engineering opportunities in the future.”

Family Ties

“I have always been interested in planes, but my true passion began around eighth grade. My grandfather on my dad’s side was a rocket scientist for NASA and helped with the Apollo missions, the moon buggy, and the Space Lab among numerous other projects. In addition, both of my grandfathers were private pilots, and even earned their glider licenses as well. They are what truly began my interest in aviation. I spent many years with them visiting the US Space and Rocket Center and building model aircraft. Once I was able to, I began flight lessons, which solidified my love for aviation.”