Zoe Lee Aspiring aviator Grade: 4 Melinda Heights Elementary School, Rancho Santa Margarita
Ten-year-old Zoe Lee fell in love with aviation when her dad took her flying in a 1941 Piper Cub. The experience inspired her school project for the junior division of California History Day.
As part of her research, she sought out and interviewed 90-year-old Nancy Miller, who flew military aircraft during WW II and became the second woman helicopter pilot in the U.S. Additionally, Zoe flew with her dad to Jacqueline Cochran Airport in Thermal to retrace the footsteps of its namesake, who set more aviation records than an other female pilot in history.
Zoe won first place in her division, and is advancing to the state competition. She will be representing Orange County with her report on Jackie Cochran and women in aviation. This young aviator has now joined the organization Women in Aviation International and plans to seek a scholarship in the field. Passionate about flying, she wants to earn her pilot certificate and has already begun learning to fly with her dad.