Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School Senior Davis Martindale doesn’t want to live with the regret that he missed out on something.
So, he does a lot.
He’s a student at the STEM magnet school program at LEE.
He’s the Battalion Commander for the JROTC program.
He was in LEE’s Allied Campus Theatre performance of “In the Heights.”
He’s on the LEE Track team.
And now he’s a pilot!
“I’ve always liked going fast. Then my Colonel mentioned this flying opportunity, and he thought I would love it, and he was right. From the first lesson, I loved it. I have never had more of an adrenal rush in my life.”
That flying opportunity was getting selected for the Daedalian Flight Training program. It’s a highly selective program that offers flight training for a handful of students a year. Davis was one of them. It covers the cost of ground and flight training, ending with a solo flight.
“I don’t want to live a life of any regret. I didn’t know how much I would want to do this until I did it. I would have regretted not doing this for sure. Flying completely changed my path.”
Davis hopes to attend Texas A&M University and join the Corps of Cadets. He plans to major in mechanical engineering. While he initially thought he would apply that knowledge to cars, he’s now trying to figure out how to make flying a part of that path.
Our North East ISD teachers work tirelessly to help our students find their passions. LEE’s Senior Army Instructor, Col. Kyle Henson, knew Davis was into cars and thought flying might also be up his alley. That relationship opened up an opportunity for Davis to find a new passion and have one of the most exciting experiences of his life.
Davis suggests all students get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities NEISD offers, because you never know what new passion you might find. For Davis, JROTC helped him reach new heights.
Learn more about JROTC at NEISD.
