Desiree

Desiree, 36, a mother, certified flight instructor (CFI), multi-engine certified pilot, and first American Airlines Cadet from Venezuela, stands tall with her paper plane letter aimed for departure. Following the heartbreaking abrupt leave of her father from the family during her teenage years and the struggle to find resources to learn english, Desiree persevered on to graduate from highschool at the top of her class before attending community college. Despite her professor’s discouragement, directed at all students, from applying for internship opportunities with a visiting oil company to the college in Venezuela, Desiree saw her chance. She told me, “that little fire turned again in my heart and I was like, Oh my goodness, this is my chance. It was 300 students, and the recruiters asked ‘does any of you guys speak english’ and everybody said no. [...] Before leaving the house, my mom told me ‘Do not leave that event without telling them you know english because you been working so hard for that for the last two years. Don’t hide who you are.” Desiree did not hide, and from her internship experience she was able to secure a navigation position working internationally for a company that does seismic exploration of sea beds. The required traveling and the acquaintance of her mother’s later boyfriend, an airline captain, would open the door of aviation to her. Being the only pilot she knows from Venezuela, she hopes to be a role model for children and mothers everywhere.

– “Desiree Stands Tall,” From the Ground, Up. © Shanna Lucas. 2022. Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) in Dallas, TX.