Meet LPS Focus Program Senior: Julio, Aviation and Technical Education

The mission of Lincoln Public Schools is to prepare ALL students for successful careers, lifelong learning and civic engagement.

High school graduation is a culmination of our scholars' and educators' hard work toward this significant milestone. 

The LPS Focus Programs core values of exploration, education, engagement and empowerment are beliefs rooted in the overall LPS mission and the school district’s commitment to high school graduation. 

Read how Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program at North Star High School senior Julio used LPS Focus Programs to Launch at LPS in this Q&A. 

Name: Julio

Grade: 12

Home High School: North Star 

Focus Program: Aviation and Technical Education 

Why did you choose the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program?

I love working with my hands. I love trades. I go to school in the morning because of the shop classes. The Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program has given me a chance to explore more shop and skill-detailed work than ever before.

How did the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program change your high school experience?

All the skilled and technical sciences (STS) classes in high school made it a better and more valuable time for me to want to learn, but this focus program has given me a more in-depth view into an industry that most people don't have access to. 

What is the greatest lesson you learned from the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program? Why?

The greatest lesson this program has taught me is probably about asking questions. The workers at Duncan Aviation and people in general want you to ask questions. They want to see you engaged and curious. There is nothing to be scared of when asking questions because they just want you to learn more than anything.

How did the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program help you reach your graduation goals?

I finished all of my graduation credits last semester, but I wanted to continue my education with the Duncan Aviation internship. The internship allowed me to grow and have more connections within the aviation industry.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I plan to go into pilot school and at the same time continue learning more skilled and technical science knowledge.

How did the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program help prepare you for those post-graduation plans? 

Duncan Aviation has all the capabilities to teach me fabrication and other skilled knowledge whilst helping pay for pilot school.

How did the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program help prepare you for the future?

It helps my plan for the future tenfold. Before, I had no idea what job to get. Now, I know I want to work at Duncan Aviation, so I can continue gathering more knowledge and expand it to more than one industry.

What would your advice be to younger students considering joining your focus program? Why?

Just try it out. Take any of our STS classes at North Star and Duncan Aviation will have something like it at this facility. A good way to put it is Duncan is a one-stop shop and they have literally every tool and every industry-standard professional ready to help you learn.

What are you most thankful about this experience? Why?

I'm most thankful for all of the shop and STS teachers who have pushed me to learn more and to broaden my point of view as well as the Duncan staff who want me to explore and learn my options. Without these people in my life, I would have never turned into the young man I am today and would have the values, grit and passion I do for hands-on experiences and skills.

Congratulations, Julio! We wish you the best in your future endeavors. We are thankful our educators could help you Launch at LPS!

Choose your passion. Choose your community. Choose your future with LPS Focus Programs. 

Learn more about the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program by visiting its website at https://aviation.lps.org/ or stop by our website home.lps.org/focus to get more information about all our focus programs.

 Also, check out our graduation page at https://home.lps.org/graduation/ to get the details on celebrating your favorite high school grad.  

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