Southern Illinois Students Explore Aviation Careers at Lewis U. ACE Academy and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Four Southern Illinois students in Chicago-based Mentoring Mission’s Project AMPLIFI aviation workforce-development program participated in the 2026 Lewis University Aviation Career Education Academy (ACE). It was held July 20–24 at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. The week included an educational visit to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Project AMPLIFI is a youth aviation-maintenance and workforce-development initiative operated by Mentoring Mission, led by Executive Director Carol Valentino-Barry. The non-profit has a federal grant to conduct classes in aviation maintenance in Southern Illinois at Veterans Airport in Marion, Illinois after the regular high school day. The classes are free to students. A new session begins in October.

Project AMPLIFI students Cole Anderson, Levi Knapp, Wyatte Claar and Mark Thompson who attend high school in Southern llinois spent the week at ACE learning about the wide range of careers available throughout aviation and aerospace. Academy activities included aircraft-maintenance instruction, air-traffic-control education, flight-simulator experiences, aviation safety, rocket assembly and launch, airport and airline facility tours, career presentations and conversations with aviation professionals.

During their visit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, participants explored aircraft displays, toured the air show grounds, learned about aviation colleges and training programs, visited aviation organizations and observed air-show operations. The experience gave students an opportunity to see how pilots, mechanics, engineers, air traffic controllers, educators and other professionals work together across the aviation industry.

The students entered the academy with strong technical interests and a growing record of aviation involvement.

Knapp has demonstrated natural mechanical ability and a strong work ethic through Project AMPLIFI’s airline-maintenance training program. His previous experiences have included aviation-maintenance competition activities, industry facility tours and hands-on technical training.

Claar is a second-year Project AMPLIFI participant who has developed skills related to FAA Airframe and Powerplant maintenance principles. He has also demonstrated leadership through his involvement in school organizations and aviation-industry experiences.

Anderson combines an interest in aviation maintenance with strong academic and extracurricular participation, including school band and Scholar Bowl. He has completed mechanical-skills, safety-wiring and Civil Air Patrol hangar training through Project AMPLIFI.

Thompson has expressed a goal of expanding his knowledge of aircraft, rockets and aerospace engineering. He also earned a third-place finish in SkillsUSA competition, demonstrating technical precision, teamwork and composure under pressure.

“ACE Academy and EAA AirVenture allowed our students to connect their hands-on training with the many careers and educational opportunities available in aviation,” said Carol Valentino-Barry, Executive Director of Mentoring Mission and Project AMPLIFI. “They returned home with greater confidence, new professional connections and an even stronger determination to build their futures in this industry.”

The academy concluded July 24 with student presentations and a graduation ceremony. Participants received certificates recognizing their successful completion of the Aviation Careers Education Academy.

About Project AMPLIFI

Project AMPLIFI is a youth aviation-maintenance and workforce-development initiative operated by Chicago-based Mentoring Mission. Based at Veterans Airport in Marion, Illinois, the program introduces high school students to aircraft maintenance, technical skills, aviation safety and industry career pathways through hands-on instruction, mentoring, competitions and visits to aviation facilities. Classes take place after their regular school day. A new session begins in October.

About the Lewis University ACE Academy

The Lewis University Aviation Career Education Academy is a summer aviation program for students ages 13–18. Participants learn about airplanes, flying, flight safety, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and other aviation careers through classroom activities, field trips, orientation experiences and interaction with aviation professionals. The Southern Illinois students participation was funded by Mentoring Mission.

Contact:

Mentoring Mission's website is www.mentoringmission.org. For more information, contact Carol Valentino-Barry at carolvalentinobarry@gmail.com