FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello, my name is Gabriel McLendon and I graduated from the Landstown High School Governor's
STEM and Technology Academy. I have always had an interest in STEM since I was little. It started when I was playing with my dad and began designing different and varied structures with those oversized Lego bricks. It really took off after he introduced me to the HBO mini series, "From the Earth to the Moon" which was a series about the Astronauts and engineers that worked for NASA in the 1960s. Watching the HBO mini series also piqued my interest in aviation.
My interest in aviation allowed me to take the steps required to attain my Private Pilot License. I earned the license after receiving a scholarship from the Virginia Space Grant Consortium Pathways Flight program. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium also had other programs such as the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program. This program allowed me to work with other students in the state of Virginia to design a space mission to Mars. After interviewing, I landed the job of a Habitat Design Specialist. I was given the opportunity to use the chemistry, math, engineering and research skills learned in high school to achieve successful results in our group/colleague setting.
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program was one of the programs in my life that cemented my aspirations to becoming an engineer.
Now, after graduating from college, I will be able to freely pursue the workforce without the fear of having to make a career decision based on salary alone.
FOSSI: Why are you passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field?
I am passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field because I can create new technologies to make the world a better place. Ever since I was a little kid, I have been imagining new technologies that I could create while also imagining new ways to help mankind. A couple of examples would involve using an energy source that utilizes air to create electricity through electrolysis or designing a vacuum that vacuums up dog feces.
Through getting a degree in mechanical engineering, and with collaborating with other professionals such as chemists and biologists, I would be able to assist in building some of my designs and attain the knowledge required to come up with newer inventions.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving the FOSSI scholarship is important for me because it will help me tremendously with paying for college. Most scholarships only pay for tuition and fees but not many scholarships pay for room and board. If it were not for the FOSSI scholarship, I might've had to get a loan and pay the thousands of dollars needed for housing on my own. This would have caused me a great amount of stress because I would have been forced to go into debt early in my life and spend a large portion of my life just paying off student loans. Now, after graduating from college, I will be able to freely pursue the workforce without the fear of having to make a career decision based on salary alone.
FOSSI: Who is a role model that has influenced you?
The role model in my life is my father. He is my role model because he was dedicated to making a career out of serving our country. In the process, he almost died but has since lived to endure more days on this earth. Even though he served our country, he always made sure he attended my events if he was not deployed.
He also served as an adult leader for my Boy Scout Troop and served as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol, which I was a part of as well. He also served in my church's food pantry when there weren't many other volunteers. It doesn't matter what is going on in my dad's life, he always manages to find a way to help others and improve their lives even at a cost to himself.
FOSSI: Fast forward – where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself working as a test pilot or Astronaut for the United States Air Force or NASA. This was always a dream of mine and it's why I decided to become a pilot. Working in these fields will also give me experience in the design and testing world of engineering. This experience can be used to help me understand how to create new technologies and then test them for use in the market. I can also use this experience to network and work with other engineers and scientist to create new future technologies.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
- I became a certified Commercial Drone Pilot two days prior to my high school graduation.
- I became a Licensed Private Pilot one day prior to my high school graduation.
- I enjoyed working my summer job as a camp counselor for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation as a camp counselor assistant because I was able to lead the campers in the utilization of everyday items to explore STEM in a fun and friendly environment.
- I enjoy playing multiplayer video games.
- During the Pandemic, I served as a youth mentor at my church via podcast sessions.
Hear more from Gabriel about why pursuing a STEM degree is important to him.
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