Sixth year in a row: BGHS cadets earn coveted Flight Academy spots

Juniors Charlie Weiner and Jeremiah Norwood will attend the eight-week flight training program at Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Two Battle Ground High School AFJROTC cadets have been selected to attend the Air Force Flight Academy this summer, marking the sixth consecutive year that Tigers will take to the skies.

Juniors Charlie Weiner and Jeremiah Norwood will attend the eight-week flight training program at Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The program is sponsored by Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC.

“I can now achieve my dream of flying commercial aircraft,” Weiner said, “and it gives me a great base to go to the Air Force Academy after high school.” Weiner is currently the flight commander of his class and attends the Cascadia Tech Aviation Program.

Lt .Col. (ret.) Andrew Woodrow, the senior aerospace science instructor, said Weiner has been “immersed in the study of aerospace science since his first day at Battle Ground.” Woodrow also noted Weiner’s involvement with the precision marksmanship team.

Norwood, a CAM Academy student who also served as a flight commander and flight sergeant, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “When I heard about the flight academy, I jumped at the thought of actually obtaining a pilot’s license. The chance to step forward toward my dream career is hard to explain, but I marvel at the truth of God’s grace for giving me this opportunity.”

Woodrow said the cadets were “truly stunned” at the announcement made in class, adding, “I really think their classmates celebrated the opportunity with them.”

Each year, only 250 students nationwide are selected from nearly 1,100 applicants for the flight academy. Since the program began in 2019, 12 cadets from Battle Ground High School have completed the certification program.

“The flight academy is essentially a $22,000 scholarship applied to one of about 24 universities across the country,” Woodrow said, adding there are no obligations for the student except to focus on the flight training during the eight-week program.

Mark Norwood, Jeremiah Norwood’s father, said the scholarship program is “a fantastic opportunity for any cadet.” He added, “We are still a bit awed that the Air Force offers such a program and are beyond grateful that Jeremiah has been given the opportunity to participate.”

Ana Taylor, Charlie Weiner’s mother, said, “Attending an Air Force-sponsored flight school, on full scholarship as a junior in high school, marks the beginning of what we expect to be an exciting and rewarding career as a pilot. This is truly going to be a before-and-after experience in his life.”

Information provided by the Battle Ground School District.