Remember Maddie Schwartz from Tam Highschool?

Maddie came to the Marin 99s back in 2018 and really wanted to learn to fly. I took her up in my Cherokee 180 (see selfie of us below), and let her fly. She was hooked. After that, her mom and I talked about the different college aviation programs and she ended up choosing Southern Utah University. Maddie now has over 1,250 hours and is a flight instructor at the same University she got all of her rating at, in a Cirrus no less. This is Maddie's e-mail to me a couple of days ago:

Hey there Susan!

This is Maddie Schwarz, it’s been a while since I’ve last checked in with you and wanted to share my adventures! I was reminiscing about passing my Private pilot checkride as I start applying to corporate pilot gigs. Thank you for taking me up in a plane for the first time, it was a daunting path I had ahead of me that didn’t seem possible when I first began but I can now say my past self would be so proud and I owe it to you.

Here’s where i’m at; I’ve been instructing at the University I gained all my ratings at for about 2 years now and recently hit 1,250 hours (even though I only needed 1,000, but I love my job!). I’ve been having a blast and have recently taken up spin and tailwheel training.

I’m looking into corporate opportunities and I have a few ideas in mind long term.

I’ve attached some photos below; one of the planes I teach in (citabria), my favorite picture of Kolob Canyon covered in snow, and finally where it all began 😉.

Let me know how you are doing! And any fun happenings on your end, I’d love to meet up next time i’m in town to catch up more :)