High Goals = High Achievements

This week we are honored to feature Senior John Willingham as our #IMAMUSTANG.
As Mount Vernon’s Head Prefect, John is an extraordinary student with high goals and high achievements. Beginning his senior year with a GPA of 4.5 John aspires to study aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech.
John happens to knows a thing or two about flight. Last summer he spent most of his summer at Sunstate Aviation Flight School in Orlando, Florida where he earned his private pilot’s license–a feat that less than 1% of the population in the U.S. have accomplished. At 17 years old John was one of the youngest at the flight school to achieve such a goal. Once he passed his check flight and earned his license his father was honored to be his first passenger. “Flying from Orlando, Florida to Villages, Florida we were able to see his grandparents waving up at us from the ground. It was a special day for both of us,” says John’s dad, Bill Willingham.
One of the experiences fueling John’s passion for flying has been his involvement in the Civil Air Patrol. Based out of Peachtree Dekalb Airport, John has risen up through the ranks and was recently promoted to 2nd lieutenant. Recently he was awarded the Billy Mitchell Award from his Wing Commanders. The Billy Mitchell Award is the highest award given to cadets and it comes as a great honor to John as only 2% of all cadets receive this award.
Taking the next challenge after earning his pilot’s license John completed the Form 5 Check Flight given by Lt Col David Mitchell, Commander of the Peachtree City Falcon Field squadron. The experience took him one step closer to helping the squadron with search and rescue flights– John passed on his first attempt and earned his wings!  
Congratulations John Willingham, Mount Vernon is honored and proud of your leadership! #IMAMUSTANG