Christopher A. Kohler, this year's winner of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame Youth Aviation Achievement Award, has built a solid foundation for a brilliant career in aviation.
Here are some highlights:
• Honor roll for each grading period at St. Mark's High in Newark.
• Eagle Scout, 43 merit badges.
• Commander, New Castle County Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron.
• Ground search-and-rescue qualified, member of Delaware Emergency Response Team, Red Cross CPR and lifeguard-certified.
• Varsity football and other sports, member of chorus, band and other music groups at St. Mark's.
• Formed a neighborhood business in which high school students mow lawns, paint, and shovel snow.
Chris is the son of James M. and Karen A. Kohler of Newark. It is not surprising that he would be inspired at an early age into a life aloft—his father, a lieutenant colonel, is director of headquarters operations, 166th Airlift Wing of the Delaware Air National Guard, and assistant chief pilot for the DuPont Company.
Chris passed his private pilot's test on Aug. 1, 2005.
Where next? The high school senior plans to enroll next fall at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
He wants to follow his dad in Air Guard and corporate cockpits.
