As graduation season begins and students move into new phases of life, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the young people who helped shape Habitat for Aviation and EAA Chapter 613 in our early days.

When General Aviation News writer and pilot Kevin Brooker taxied up to our hangar at Franklin County State Airport, we thought he might stay for a quick tour, a few questions, a group photo, and then be on his way. Instead, he spent the whole day with us.

This summer, Miranda Gallagher stepped into a new seat at Habitat for Aviation—as our communications and operations intern—and she absolutely soared.

We gathered in late June at the Clark Family Farm in North Lincoln for our annual board meeting—and it felt like classic Vermont: sunshine, fresh pasture air, and a long farmhouse table set for friends.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Mary Build from the Katahdin Ninety-Nines to Habitat for Aviation for a special Lunch & Learn, accompanied by her friend Ed Bergeron.

We had the joy of hosting New American Youth on the Rise—a mentorship and enrichment program supporting immigrant, refugee, and first-generation youth in Vermont.

When the latest issue of Aviation for Women landed and we saw so many badass women from BETA Technologies featured, our whole crew lit up.

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor the women who flew before us—the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, whose courage cleared a runway for every Modern Rosie in our hangar.

“Youth in Aviation – The Next Generation” shined a national spotlight on a powerful truth: young people do not need deep pockets or long aviation legacies to step into this field.

Watching Miranda grow through the Harbor Freight Fellowship Initiative has been nothing short of extraordinary. When she joined our WOMEN BUILD PLANES team, she was already familiar to us—a kid who had been coming to the airport since she was 11.

Our WOMEN BUILD PLANES crew gathered for a Lunch & Learn with Jill Gernetzke—A&P, business owner, and former wingwalker.

We packed the house at Generator for April’s Reckless Ideas—10 presenters on stage, more than 100 guests in the room, and a whole lot of spark.

Emma’s aviation journey began in 2023 when she and I met at a BETA Technologies’ Summer Fest. Her interest in aviation was immediate and genuine, and when I invited her to visit our hangar at Franklin County State Airport, she was hooked.

Our crew visited the Vermont State House and took seats in the House gallery. Representative Erin Brady introduced us from the floor of the House, and the chamber rose in a standing ovation.

Our Women Build Planes team took a well-deserved break from riveting and wrenching to visit the world-famous Ben & Jerry’s Factory, in Waterbury Vermont. To say the team had fun would be an understatement!

Our WOMEN BUILD PLANES crew headed to the Women in Aviation Vermont Chapter’s monthly meeting at OnLogic, and it was a spark plug kind of day.

Our visit to the Vermont Bankers Association Women in Leadership Presentation in Montpelier, VT, at the Capital Plaza Hotel was an unforgettable experience. Habitat for Aviation had the honor of presenting in front of over 144 women from the banking industry, sharing our mission to inspire the next generation of young women in aviation.

Disa "Granny" Tatro, affectionately known as the Hanger Granny for Habitat for Aviation, is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and community. Granny is known at the Franklin County Airport in Highgate, Vermont, where she wears many hats.

Our day began with the excitement and anticipation of gathering the "Rosies" for a memorable experience at WDEV's Vermont Viewpoint in Waterbury, VT.

Aubrianna is a remarkable young woman with a clear passion for mechanics, and her goal to become an airplane engine mechanic is not just a dream—it's a path she’s pursuing with focus, skill, and heart.