Deer Creek High School Aviation Club President Caroline Chapman Recognized for Mentorship, Commitment to Oklahoma Aviation

EDMOND, Okla. – Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) Aerospace congratulates Caroline Chapman as the ODAA Student of the Month for October 2025.

The 17-year-old senior attends Deer Creek High School in Edmond she has served as president of the Deer Creek Aviation Club for the past two years. In her role as president, Chapman organizes meetings, aviation activities and leads outreach programs for Deer Creek’s future aviators.

Chapman is also a student pilot with 33 hours of flight time at Route 66 Flight School at Wiley Post airport in Bethany, Okla. As well, she has completed ground school and is a student member of the Ninety-Nines international organization of women pilots.

As Chapman pursues her aviation interests, she stays involved in the Oklahoma aerospace community by volunteering at events like Girls in Aviation Day and elementary STEM nights. She has also participated in the Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day luncheons for the last two years.

“We’re proud to recognize Caroline and her remarkable dedication to aerospace as a student, an aviator and a mentor,” said Paula Kedy, Statewide Aerospace STEM education manager. “Her eagerness to continue growing the aviation community through Deer Creek’s aviation program is commendable. We’re confident Caroline’s future in aerospace will reach new heights.”

In addition to her aviation pursuits, Chapman participates in robotics as well as mock trial competitions, where she has been recognized as “Best Attorney.”

In her nomination, Chapman’s aviation teacher Holly Blunk also praised her dedication to mentorship and fostering the next generation of aviators. “Caroline embodies the spirit of general aviation which is all about growing together through mentorship and by ‘paying it forward’ to the next generation.  Not only does she participate in every opportunity to deepen her aeronautical experience, she can regularly be seen at outreach events … talking to younger teens about flight training or explaining the four forces of flight to second graders. Her leadership and passion for aviation are contagious.” 

After high school, Chapman plans to attend college to study aviation with the goal of becoming a professional pilot.