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You are cleared for takeoff. Roger Metro Tower Podcast 026 is rolling. Welcome to Females in Aviation episode 26. Before I introduce Melanie, I just wanted to give a little aside as to how this interview turned into something other than what I initially expected.
I found Melanie Rosales on Facebook page where there was a post about her winning a second place silver medal as the only female competing in an avionics and airplane mechanics skills championship. And I do like to feature the young people and show other young people out there that they can get their start and make their way in aviation. So I contacted her for that reason. And as the interview proceeded, I quickly learned that that post was about 10 years old, which does not mean it's not still a noteworthy event.
However, what became more important is what Melanie has accomplished in the ensuing years. Melanie, who was herself a foster child, and felt that she was saved from some of the shortcomings of that system by happening into a high school aviation program and having someone take her under their wing and mentor her, caused her to go on to establish a program called Beacon for Teens, in which she now invites low income at risk foster children to give them a second chance in life by introducing them to aviation. So stay tuned and listen to what this amazing young lady is doing to pay it forward. Welcome, Melanie.
I'm a good competitor to be here. Oh, it's great to have you. Oh, wonderful. Yeah, how many students were in the whole program, you know, the five of which that were girls.
What's the ratio there? Well, actually for student ratio, they had a good amount of thousands of men. And only five were women. And only five were women.
Wow. OK, so how old were you or what school were you in when you won this competition in 2005? I was. OK.
OK, so what did what of those did you do? I actually completed both. I went in for my ADR. OK.
And so I did at the EICO. Good for you. Now, why do you think you were the only woman also to enter this competition? Is that correct?
Actually, I was the only one to make it to the level. I see. OK. It was me and my one other friend of mine.
Very good. So where has life taken you since then? OK, since then. Very good.
Oh, wow. That's awesome. Now, how were you accepted in these places? Were you the only woman?
And how did you? I was the only woman. So how did the guys handle that? Were they welcoming?
It was very tough. At that time, they had to be a woman being so young. Oh, very good. So do you think the biggest issue was that you were female or that you were young?
Or both? Oh, we're in. OK. Yeah, I remember working as a flight instructor at Lansing Community College and was assigned to teach a nighttime ground school.
So it was the older men who were coming in after work and whatever to attend that ground school. And I walked in. I was 21 maybe. I had long straight hair down from the middle of my back.
And I'm in a mini skirt. And when I walked in and introduced myself, I'm Karen Hawkins. I'm your instructor. And they all started laughing.
They said, that's really funny. Now, you're the secretary. Where's the instructor? I said, no.
I'm your instructor. So I'm sure that was a combination of age and gender. Yeah. Very good.
Yeah. But I take it. You did that successfully. I did.
I was very impressed with my school. I was scared. All right. So knowledge, time, feel for gender.
Yes. So to speak. Definitely. Bye bye.
So is this the kind of work you're still doing now? I currently contract on the side contract on food and training. OK. What a wonderful thing to be doing, Melanie.
That's just amazing. So when you're giving them mechanical training, and did you say flight training as well? Yeah. I don't know if you'd like that again.
OK. Oh, that's amazing. So you're also an emery riddle graduate? I'm currently a company in my master's.
Way to go. That's very impressive. And you know, I'm thinking about what you said, about helping those young people, most of them in foster care, whatever, to develop skills that they might use. But I'm guessing the more important thing is that you're giving them a sense of self-esteem, that they matter, and that they can learn things and do things.
And even if they don't go into that field, that you're giving them something that they don't always get in foster care. Good. Right. And that's wonderful, Melanie.
So do you want to give a shout out to this person? Yes. That's not more. OK.
Sounds like a wonderful man. And it just goes to show you how one person can make a difference in another person's life. I didn't come from foster care, but I came from a rather rough childhood. And I had one set of grandparents who were just amazing.
Just had total integrity and a totally loving relationship contrary to what I saw at home. And even though I only spent a week here and there with them in the summer or whatever, just having that example gave me something to strive for that I knew there was another way besides what I was seeing in the home. And it sounds to me like you're providing something similar for the young people you're working with, and also that this gentleman who mentored you did that for you. Yeah, that's very appreciated.
So what's been the happiest moment of your life so far? And did you accomplish that? Good for you. I have an idea you would be an amazing instructor and teacher, especially with those young people you're working with.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. So when did you get your pilot's license? 2012.
Oh, good for you. That's great. It's been a rough up and down because I can't believe, you know, it's hard to complete your hours and actually, I mean, dude. Oh, there you go.
Yeah, it's very expensive. And I actually worked weekends at a flight school as a receptionist in exchange for my lessons. And I had to work one eight hour day for one hour of flying. So that's how expensive flying is for people out there who don't know.
Yeah, it is expensive. But there are ways of making it. OK, Melanie, is there anything I haven't asked you that you'd like to share? I would share a little more on the organizations we call Beacon for Teens.
Yes, but you're looking for mostly aviation related. OK, maybe because I'm in volunteer and they're getting free to blow up the shop and everything. OK, Melanie, where would people contact you if they wanted to volunteer for that organization? Well, what's that in that?
OK, so they can contact you at www.beacon14s.org. Correct. Very good. Well, I thank you so much for sharing that.
And I hope you do get some volunteers as a result of this, because it sounds like a very worthy cause, and you're a very deserving young lady. Very much. And thank you for giving me this. Well, what's that?
But I have a clothing line. And that's how I think. OK. Because AB is in life, clothing, Oshkosh.
Oh, very good. That was really excited about the feedback team. These vast numbers combined. I think, Melanie, that the fact that you have established this aviation clothing and jewelry line to support the Beacon organization makes it very appropriate for you to share that information on this podcast.
And is there a place where people can go to purchase those items? Aviationlifeclothing.com. Very good. Well, the whole podcast has been great.
I'm really impressed with you and what you're doing. And it's not the first time, actually, that I've done an interview that turned into something very different than what I expected. And that's kind of the fun with it all. So once again, I thank you very much.
Talk to you later. Sound effects courtesy of freesound.org.