Local grad joins sister in Navy
Sarah Floch wants to fly jets.
Not just ordinary commercial jets, either
– her desire is a little more
”
Top Gun
”
than that. Floch is hoping to become a fighter pilot.
”
I just want to fly,
”
Floch, 17, said.
Local grad joins sister in Navy
Sarah Floch wants to fly jets.
Not just ordinary commercial jets, either – her desire is a little more “Top Gun” than that. Floch is hoping to become a fighter pilot.
“I just want to fly,” Floch, 17, said.
To fulfill her dream, the June graduate of San Benito High School has enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She left earlier this week for Great Lakes, Ill., to undergo basic training for eight weeks.
After completing basic training, Floch will report to Pensacola, Fla., where she will enter aviation school, or “A” school, where she will stay for three months learning the basics of her chosen career.
“Ultimately, I want to fly fighter jets,” she said. “I’ll get my full training in Florida, and after three months, I can get stationed anywhere in the country.”
Floch is following in the footsteps of older sister, Patricia, who also joined the Navy a year ago following her 2007 graduation from SBHS. The girls are the daughters of Mike and Elaine Floch of Hollister. Patricia is studying aeronautical engineering.
Floch says although her sister signed up first, she was the one who encouraged her older sister to look into the Navy.
“At first, she was interested in the Army, but they couldn’t offer her as much,” she said. “I had already decided on the Navy, so I told her she should check it out.”
Floch has signed up for an eight-year stint, and says she is excited about her future with the Navy, despite the continuing Iraq War and ongoing tension across the globe.
“I know that this is what I want to do,” she said. “I’m more nervous about what I’m leaving here in Hollister – my family and friends – then about my career choice. I’m sure this is what is right for me.”
Local students win Hope for a Cure scholarships
The Hope for a Cure Memorial Educational Scholarship board members awarded $3,000 in scholarship money to six graduating San Benito High School seniors. The scholarship is in honor of Juli-An Rowe, Karen Flaherty and Rose Arnerich, all of whom died of breast cancer.
Students are eligible for the scholarship if they have a close family member who has struggled with cancer.
This year’s receipients include, pictured from left to right: Marissa Gutirrez, Madison Eastman, Chris Fernquist, Amy Guerra, Amanda Hernandez and Kevin Ross.
