Student Spotlight: Fox – Flying Toward a Future in the Trades and Beyond 

From the cockpit of a glider soaring above the Columbia River Gorge to hands-on construction training in Bend, Oregon, Fox is a senior at Destinations Career Academy of Oregon who is charting his own course through a dynamic mix of career and technical education (CTE), aviation, and the great outdoors. 

Fox joined Destinations Career Academy of Oregon in 11th grade after exploring homeschooling and other online options. He found that the school’s structured class time and supportive environment helped him stay on track, especially after experiencing the procrastination pitfalls of less structured online formats. “Destinations Career Academy of Oregon keeps me focused,” Fox said. “I like the live class sessions and check-ins; it helps me pace myself better and get things done.” 

Among his favorite programs is the mobile equipment maintenance classes he has taken in the Industrial Engineering Systems CTE pathway, where he’s learned how to work with basic hand tools, apply construction math taught by Ms. Stewart, and dive deeper into truck and construction fundamentals. He also took part in the school’s Pre-Apprenticeship program in Bend, a hands-on experience that sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the trades. He’s already been involved in general contracting work, including house painting, sheetrock, framing, and insulation, which he balances with his school’s workload. 

But Fox’s story doesn’t stop on the ground. He took his first glider flight in 2020 thanks to a conversation between his mom and one of her coworkers, the president of a local glider club. That first flight lit a spark that would lead him to earn his glider pilot certificate in 2023. He now continues to work toward powered flights, often driving to Camas, Washington to fly.  

What sets Destinations Career Academy of Oregon apart for Fox is the opportunity to balance school with real-world experience. Fox has also taken advantage of school-supported opportunities like completing his OSHA 30-hour training, which prepared him for summer work and solidified his path toward applying for an electrical apprenticeship with the Union. 

Outside of academics and work, Fox recharges by hiking, biking, and camping in Oregon’s scenic wilderness. He has been able to meet up with other students from the Pre-apprenticeship Program and he stays in touch with mentors like CTE instructor Bob Tatum, who shares his interest in aviation and the trades. 

With a future in the electrical field, a passion for flying, and a grounded appreciation for hands-on learning, Fox is well on his way to building a career, and a life, on his own terms.