Published on the The Transylvania Times website on September 4, 2024
On a bright sunny afternoon in Brevard, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Trinity Wilbanks. As we sat and talked, that sunny day seemed to pale in comparison to Trinity’s bright smile and captivating personality.
Our conversation revealed a young woman with lofty ambitions who fully understands the hard work and focus it will take to achieve her goals. Trinity’s ultimate goal is to become an Air Force pilot serving and protecting our country.
Trinity humbly defers credit of her numerous accomplishments to her family, religious upbringing, teachers, friends, and staff at both Brevard and Rosman high schools. Drum major and choir chair are examples of the earned positions that assisted in refining Trinity’s leadership skills. She was also in FFA at both high schools as well as the swim team while attending Brevard High and the softball team at Rosman High.
Trinity’s original goal of joining the USAF and entering pilot training immediately after graduation from high school was derailed by a severe knee injury. Rather than give up on her dream, Trinity revised her plans to first attend college and then enter the USAF. This would allow Trinity to move forward with her education as her knee continued to improve.
Locally, A-B Tech offers an aviation management and career pilot program. Trinity applied and was accepted into AB-Tech and upon graduation Trinity will hold both aviation management and career pilot degrees.
Throughout school, Trinity has worked in her family’s business to assist her family and set aside funds for college. Unfortunately, the money she saved would not be enough to completely support her through college.
She aggressively researched loans and scholarship opportunities that would allow her to attend college without placing a financial strain on her family. As a result, Trinity applied for and was awarded a Connestee Falls Student Scholarship allowing her to take one more step to reach her ultimate goal of becoming a USAF pilot.
Trinity began her first week as a freshman at A-B Tech where she designed a schedule with four days of on-campus courses, two work days to assist her family and maintain a source of income, and one day for two online courses to expedite her graduation.
Trinity’s schedule reflects her commitment and focus to achieve her goals. Trinity is an example of the bright and talented young men and women throughout this county who have the ability, values, and drive to become our next generation of leaders.
She stressed her deep appreciation for all those who so generously donated to the Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program. Without this scholarship, A-B Tech might not have been in Trinity’s immediate future. The CFSSP began in 1987 and has since raised more than $2 million and awarded more than 1,000 scholarships to Transylvania County students.