FONTANA, CA – A.B. Miller High School Class of 2023 graduate Nathan Aguilar was named one of 50th District Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes’ 2023 “30 Under 30” recipients, honoring the initiative he displayed in becoming A.B. Miller’s first aviation student to earn his private pilot’s license.

The recognition honors 30 residents under the age of 30 from California’s 50th District – which includes Fontana – for their dedication, innovation and service. Aguilar was recognized along with his peers at the seventh annual “30 Under 30” ceremony, which was hosted by Reyes at the Esri campus in Redlands.

“I was surprised and honored to be selected as a member of this prestigious group,” said Aguilar, who attended the Nov. 27, 2023 ceremony. “I want to thank Assemblymember Reyes for recognizing me and my aviation teacher at A.B. Miller, Jeff McGlocklin, for all his encouragement and support. He opened the gate by introducing me to the Experimental Aviation Association Free Young Eagles program, which paved the way for me to be a pilot.”

Aguilar received his private pilot’s license in May 2023, allowing him to fly any aircraft for which he is appropriately rated. He completed his test by flying a single-engine, propellor-based Cessna 150 airplane. His license enables Aguilar to fly with friends, fly at night, take a business trip or sight-see.

“Nathan was an amazing student, and his diligence and work ethic in becoming A.B. Miller’s first student pilot still resonates in our program. We have had two more students earn their licenses since Nathan graduated,” McGlocklin said. “We are so proud that Nathan is being honored by Assemblymember Reyes. I cannot think of a more deserving person.”

In his junior year, Aguilar began his flight training as a member of Shades of Blue, a 10-week training course available to A.B. Miller aviation pathway students. Administered by industry professionals, Shades of Blue is designed to inspire students to become commercial airline pilots. He attended Saturday sessions, learning about airplane theory, weather and other aviation-related topics.

After earning a certificate of completion from the Shades of Blue program, Aguilar joined the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) Free Young Eagles program, which gave him his first experience in a single-engine propelled airplane. His devotion to learning aviation led to him receiving a $10,000 EAA Buko scholarship in June 2022, which he used to pay for flight school.

Aguilar is currently working for a Southern California-based telecommunications company. Though he is not looking toward a career in aviation at this time, he said he still enjoys flying as a pastime.

A.B. Miller’s two-year aviation program serves as a flight training school and includes a pilot training class, an airline mechanic class and a flight simulator lab. The pathway gives students access to aerospace professionals and other programs dedicated to fostering careers in aviation for interested students.

“Congratulations to Nathan Aguilar for being named one of the Inland Empire’s most impressive young citizens, and to Assemblymember Reyes for selecting him,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Nathan truly exemplifies the District spirit of hard work and dedication to achieving one’s dreams. We are looking forward to seeing where the future takes Nathan.”

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FUSD_AGUILAR: A.B. Miller High School Class of 2023 graduate Nathan Aguilar has been named one of 50th District Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes’ 2023 “30 Under 30” recipients, honoring the initiative he displayed in becoming A.B. Miller’s first aviation student to earn his private pilot’s license.