Youth Professional Pilot Program (YP3)
Student of the Year
2023 Winner - Alexander Ellerbee
Alex was the first student enrolled in Cargill Aeronautical's Youth Professional Pilot and Train-to-Work Programs. He started his journey in the Fall of 2022, received his Commercial Pilot License in the Fall of 2023 and his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) License in May 2024. Alex is currently working for Cargill Aeronautical as a full-time instructor.
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In addition to his aviation training, Alex graduated from Penn State-York Campus with a bachelor’s degree Business Admistration.
2024 Winner - Jeremiah Clark
Jeremiah is a 2023 graduate of the Milton Hershey School and a 2025 graduate of Cargill Aeronautical's Youth Professional Pilot Program. Due to his hard work and perserverance, Jeremiah received funding for training through Pilots With A Purpose.
When asked about flying, Jeremiah said "Being a pilot all started out as a childhood dream. Over time it flourished and by the time I was in 8th grade I told myself I was going to become one no matter what. Thanks to PWAP I am now able to move on to getting my Instrument Ratings and be able to continue my training with their support. The journey so far has been nothing but an amazing learning experience and a blast."
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Jeremiah obtained Commercial Pilot License in August 2025. His ultimate goal is to become an airline tranport pilot (ATP).
2025 Winner - Christian Giordano
Christian Giordano is a 2025 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School and is enrolled in Cargill’s Youth Professional Pilot Program. His passion for aviation began after taking a discovery flight in May 2021, an experience that inspired him to pursue a career as a professional pilot. In August 2025, he earned his Private Pilot Certificate with the support of the EAA Ray Scholarship.
Through dedication and continued hard work, Christian later received additional support from Pilots With A Purpose (PWAP), which helped fund his Instrument Rating, earned in January 2026. He is currently building flight time and working toward his Commercial Pilot Certificate as he continues advancing toward a career in professional aviation
