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Taking Flight: Alumni Spotlight Garrett Hopkins

Posted by Ryan Bredow on Nov 14, 2017 5:36:00 PM

What have you been up to?

I am just about halfway through my junior year at Western Michigan University in the Aviation Flight Science program. I am currently on track to graduate a semester early in the Fall of 2018 (3.5 years). 

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I recently went down to Addison, Texas for two weeks this summer where I trained for and acquired my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) certificate. I was recently hired by WMU’s College of Aviation as a flight instructor and have just begun teaching my first couple students how to fly. It is such an accomplishment to finally be able to share my passion of aviation with others (and make money doing what I love!) while I build my flight hours with the goal of becoming an airline pilot in the next 2-3 years.

What brought you to LCL?

As a middle schooler, I always knew I would end up at LCL. I can remember going to Centennial to watch football games and Divine Redeemer (I believe) to watch the varsity basketball team play. I remember going to camps every summer where we got to play alongside the big kids and they were always such great guys. I also had Cole Braun (current CEO of the LHSAGM) as a principal at St. Paul’s and my family had maintained a relationship with him throughout my time at St. Paul’s.

What did you value most about your time as a student at LCL?

The best part about LCL was the people. From the amazing teachers who cared about you not only as a student, but almost like their own children, to the lifelong friends I made. Having the ability to go to anyone on the faculty and have them be willing to put aside time to just talk to you was truly great.

How did LCL prepare you for college?wmu_primary_logo.jpg

LCL did a great job of preparing me for college. I was given the opportunity to take many of the general education courses required of me in college while I was still at LCL, making the transition to college much easier because I got to start college with courses that were more focused on my major. The workload at LCL is pretty similar to the workload I have in college, aside from the fact that there is quite a bit more reading.

Is there any advice you would like to offer to the current and future students of LCL?

Enjoy your time at LCL. Whether you participate in sports, band, drama, or work full-time, enjoy LCL. College is a good time, but I will never forget the great times I had and the relationships I built in high school. Enjoy the sporting events followed by a group trip to Culvers. Enjoy the small class sizes where everyone knows everyone. LCL is a great place with teachers who are very passionate about what they do. I am so glad I was able to attend LCL and I believe it played a significant role in making me the person I am today.

Do you have any favorite memories or stories from your time at Lutheran High that you would like to share?

My favorite memory at LCL was winning the regional championship in soccer my senior year. It was a hard-fought game against Dominican that ended in a penalty shootout where Jack Euclide hit the winning penalty shot. The crowd went crazy and so did we as we brought home the first regional championship in LCL soccer history.

The picture below of the LCL campus was actually taken by Garrett on one of his recent flights!

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