Nationwide — Kamora Freeland, a 17-year-old African American teen from Staten Island, New York, made historical past because the youngest African-American feminine to earn a non-public pilot’s license final yr. Now, she continues to interrupt obstacles by beginning her sophomore yr at Spelman Faculty, an HBCU in Atlanta, skipping freshman yr after incomes faculty credit in highschool.
Final yr, Kamora made headlines after acing her test trip at Republic Airport in Lengthy Island, incomes her personal pilot’s license at simply 17. She stated, “I really like flying, and I’ve a ardour for it. Plus, pilots could make as much as $700,000, in order that caught my consideration, too. The following step is to grow to be a business airline pilot.”
Her educational journey is simply as spectacular. She skipped a yr of highschool whereas attending Kingsborough Early Faculty Secondary College and Kingsborough Group Faculty. Alongside her research, she turned a licensed birthing doula and lifeguard. Her onerous work earned her the Presidential Scholarship at Spelman and a spot within the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program.
Though Kamora was as soon as targeted on changing into a business pilot and even obtained an internship provide from NASA, she is now majoring in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship.
“Beginning faculty as a sophomore has been a whirlwind of feelings — thrilling, overwhelming, and liberating all of sudden,” Freeland instructed SI Live. “It’s like moving into a complete new world the place you’re determining who you might be, balancing independence, and navigating friendships, teachers, and late-night research classes.”
For Kamora’s mom, Lakema Freeland, seeing her daughter begin faculty as a sophomore is a proud however “bittersweet second.” She stated, “I’m so happy with her for taking that huge step, however my coronary heart aches understanding the home is a little bit quieter with out her laughter. It’s a mixture of pleasure for her future and the longing to carry on to the moments we’ve shared.”
Be sure you observe her journey on Instagram @Kamora_Freeland
